Juniors Rowing

The Juniors program is aimed at high school students looking to row competitively. Juniors meet 4-5 days per week to train on and off the water, focus on fitness, water safety, boat basics and rowing technique. The season runs February through November. Junior rowers also have the opportunity to compete in regional regattas.

Demanding practices promote strong physical fitness, confidence, and mental toughness. A regular practice schedule builds time management skills, commitment to teammates, self-control and understanding that their effort directly impacts the team's success. Rowing’s physical challenges also develop cardiovascular health, muscular endurance, better sleep, and overall well-being.

Rowing teaches teenagers crucial life skills. Discipline and accountability. Teamwork and social skills. Confidence and leadership. Unlike other team sports, rowing demands perfect synchronicity, focus, the whole boat moving as one unit. Every rower must be reliable for the boat to move, fostering deep interdependence.

This reliance on teammates creates deep friendships and a strong sense of community, preparing them for success in academics and life.

Our current youth crew consists of a co-ed team from Charleston-area high schools. Many colleges offer rowing scholarships, especially for women. There are approximately 90 NCAA Division I schools with rowing programs and another 50 Division III schools. Graduates from our Juniors program have continued rowing at the University of Pennsylvania, Clemson, Northwestern, NC State, University of Richmond, Rochester Institute of Technology, Marist, and Tufts.

Learn to Row

UPCOMING JUNIOR ATHLETE ROWING SCHEDULE

Spring Rowing Season (Sprint Racing): 

  • First day: Monday, February 23: 4:30 PM

  • Weekly practice sessions:

    • Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday: 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM

    • Saturday: 9:00 AM - 11:15 AM

CCRC Junior Program Spring 2026 Training Program

February:

  • Mostly in 8s, rowing by 6s for week 1.

  • Steady state pieces, no longer than 8’

  • Do not exceed 26 spm for week 1, and 28 for week 2.

  • Focus on timing, and technique (use of leg drive and core)

  • Each Saturday (21 & 28 Feb) end practice with a Start and 500m piece at 26 or28.

  • Season Team Racing Start standard is: ¾, ½, ½, ¾, Full, followed by “up 10”, then settle at race pace.

  • Drills, as needed based on Coach observations, emphasis is on Reverse Pickand Catch Placement by 4s and 8.

  • Target Race Pace is 34-36 spm.

March:

  • Monday 2 x 15’ (7”@ 24, 6’@28, 2’@32, 1’@34) Steady State w/ 3 x Pwr 10s.

  • AT/Hard Begin each piece w/ Start.

  • Or

  • 3 x 12’ (1st & 2d @ 24-26, 3rd @ 32-34) 20 sec ON/40 sec OFF.

  • Tuesday 2 x 10’ (2’ ea @ 20, 22, 24, 22, 20) Steady State

  • U1/Medium 2 x 6’ (2’ ea @ 22, 24, 22) Full Pressure

  • Thursday 4 x 5’ (2’,2’,1’) @ 30, 32, 34 Each piece begins w/Racing Start.

  • TR1/Hard 1x 1.5K Race Piece @ 34-36.

  • Saturday 3 x 12’ ( 2’ ea @ 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36)

  • U2/Easy/Med.

April:

  • Monday 4 x 8’ (2’, 2’, 2’, 2’) ½ to Full pressure.

  • U1/Medium 1st & 3rd @ 22, 24, 26, 28.

  • 2d & 4th @ 24, 26, 28, 20.

  • Tuesday 1 x 12’ @ 26

  • AT/Hard 1 x 12’ (6’ @ 24, 3’ @ 28, 2’ @ 32, 1’ @ 34)

  • Thursday 2 x sets of 5 x Racing Starts (5 + 10) 5’ rest between sets.

  • U1/2 2 x 6’ (1’ ON/ 1’ OFF) @ 30, 32. 30, 34, 30, 36.

  • Med/Hard

  • Saturday 3 x 1500m w/ race start @ 34-36 spm. w/ Start

  • TR1/Hard

Row With Us!

CCRC welcomes both novices who have completed the Learn to Row course and those who have experience rowing. Our co-ed team pulls students from surrounding Charleston area high schools, and graduates from our program have continued rowing at the college level, including the University of Pennsylvania, University of Richmond, Rochester Institute of Technology, Clemson University, Northwestern University, NC State, and Tufts University.

Juniors Program Sign Up