Youth Rowing Program

Rowers will normally be in grades 8 - 12 (ages 13 - 18). By the time most rowers have reached grade 8, they have the size and strength to row effectively and carry their share of a rowing shell.

Rowers have to carry their share of a rowing shell. This can involve lifting a weight of up to 50 lbs.

There is a low probability of the rowing shell flipping. Rowers preferably know how to swim. At the very least, rowers should be comfortable enough with deep water that they won't panic and will be able to hold on to the shell until they are assisted by the coach.

The fall season is oriented towards teaching the basics of rowing to new rowers and developing the skills of existing rowers. The two groups will typically be assigned to different boats and have different coaches.

The fall season starts the first full week after Labour Day in September. It finishes in either the last week of October or the first week of November.

Practices are held:

Out of the scheduled sessions, a rower will participate in 3 practices. They will choose 2 of the weekday sessions and 1 of the Saturday practices. It is strongly preferred that the two weekday practices not be consecutive.

The program does not operate on statutory holidays. Missed or cancelled sessions (e.g. weather) are not rescheduled.

The fall season culminates in the North Shore Youth Invitational regatta that is hosted in Deep Cove. All rowers usually participate in this regatta.

The winter season is oriented towards developing fitness. Due to poor weather and water conditions, the winter season is spent training on land. Rowers will either do workouts at Parkgate Recreational Centre or the boathouse. Workouts at Parkgate involve body circuits (cardiovascular, core stability, no weights) and running. Workouts at the boathouse involve rowing on the erg or running.

The winter season starts one week after the fall season ends, typically around Remembrance Day. The winter season ends the first week of February.

Practices are held:

The program does not operate on statutory holidays. Missed or cancelled sessions (e.g. weather) are not rescheduled.

During the winter season, the club's youth participate in the Beat the Beast indoor erging regatta at St Georges school.

The spring season is oriented towards developing the skills of existing rowers and regatta training. A limited number of new rowers can be accommodated.

Rowers can choose to participate in the full spring season or a shortened spring season. The full spring season starts in the second or third week of February around Valentine's Day. The shortened spring season starts immediately after spring break. The spring season ends the second week of June.

Practices are held:

The program does not operate on statutory holidays. Missed or cancelled sessions (e.g. weather) are not rescheduled.

During the spring season, all rowers usually attend the Delta regatta. Intermediate and advanced rowers will attend the Shawnigan Lake and possibly the Lake Stevens regattas.

The summer season tends to be more casual. A few of the advanced rowers will train for summer regattas.

The summer season starts the last week of June. The season ends the second last week of August.

Practices are held:

The recreational practices are for getting out on the water to row for fun. Some coaching may be provided at the discretion of the coach.

The competitive practices are intended for advanced rowers. There will be specific workouts. Training will be more structured for rowers planning to attend summer regattas (e.g. Henley or BC Champs). Training will shift from spring racing to head racing during the season.

The program does not operate on statutory holidays. Missed or cancelled sessions (e.g. weather) are not rescheduled.

Rowers will attend the BC Champs regatta at the end of July depending on the level of interest. A select few rowers may attend the Henley regatta in the first week of August. Because the Henley regatta is in Ontario, rowers must qualify and be able to beat top local teams before they can attend.

Pricing is quite flexible depending on the time of year and how often you plan to row:

All prices include an equipment levy and taxes. Prices do not include Rowing Canada fees (see Registration).

You can pay the club directly in advance or at the first session. We accept payment via credit card, debit card, cheque or cash.

Alternatively you can pay by credit card when you register on the Rowing Canada membership web site.

Punch cards expire at the end of the summer season, so please be conservative when estimating how many times you will row.

Before you register for Youth Rowing, send an email to info@deepcoverowingclub.com or call 604-929-4510 to confirm that it is the best program for you and/or to get any questions answered.

Registration is a two step process: filling out the forms in the registration package and registering with Rowing Canada.

Please fill out the forms and bring them to your first session.

It is imperative that you register with Rowing Canada on their membership web site. Rowing Canada provides insurance and support services to rowers and clubs. Most important from your perspective is the insurance coverage. Unless you register with Rowing Canada, you are not covered by insurance. To row with the Deep Cove Rowing Club, you must have an active membership with Rowing Canada. An annual membership runs from April of each year to March of the following year. A membership covers you for all programs at all rowing clubs in Canada. You must sign up again each year to continue rowing. There is a fee and you can either pay it on the Rowing Canada web site or you can pay it to us and we will pass it on to Rowing Canada for you.

You can access the registration forms and the Rowing Canada membership web site using the two buttons at the bottom of this program information list.

Seasonal and Annual

If you withdraw from the program (in writing) before it begins or within the first week of the season, you may receive a refund, minus a $60 processing fee. In lieu of a refund, you may defer your fees to another program which takes place within a year.

If you withdraw after the first week and before the fourth week of the session, you will receive 75% of your fees, minus a $60 processing fee. In lieu of a refund, you may defer the remainder of your fees to another program which takes place within a year.

If you withdraw after the fourth week and during the sixth week of the session, you will receive 50% of your fees less a $60 processing fee. In lieu of a refund, you may defer the remainder of your fees to another program which takes place within a year.

After the sixth week of the session, no refunds will be granted regardless of the reason. Exceptions may be made due to injury. Apply to the Board of Directors for consideration of a refund on a case by case basis. A doctor's certification is required.

Punch Cards

If you withdraw from the program (in writing) before it begins or before the second week, you may receive a refund, minus a $25 processing fee. In lieu of a refund, you may defer your fees to another program which takes place within a year.

If you withdraw after the second week, there will be no refund. You may defer the remainder of your fees to another program which takes place within a calendar year.

The Youth Rowing program is conducted in quad (4 person), double (2 person) and single (1 person) rowing shells. The coaches assign rowers to shells based on rower skill, rower maturity, number of rowers, current water conditions and desired learning outcomes. Newer rowers are typically put in more stable shells.

Coaches accompany rowers on the water. The coach boat also acts as a safety boat. Each coach instructs a maximum of 9 rowers in up to 3 rowing shells.

New rowers will learn the following:

• rowing & racing terminology
• parts of the rowing shell
• setting up the rowing shell
• launching the shell
• landing the shell
• the 4 parts (catch, drive, finish, recovery) of the stroke
• how to hold and position the oar for each part of the stroke
• position and movement of the body and arms during each part of the stroke
• coordination of timing with other rowers
• control of shell balance
• steering, turning and stopping
• conduct of a sprint race
• the race course
• interaction with umpires
• race tactics
• the unique strokes used during a race start
• safety

More experienced rowers will work on perfecting their rowing technique and learn more advanced rowing and racing techniques.

Indian Arm is a large body of water and conditions can change quickly. Shells are required to row together as a group. Shells must be accompanied by the coach in a safety boat. The coaches are familiar with the local weather and typical boat traffic patterns.

Rowing will be cancelled if the water is rough enough that there are white caps. The coach has final say on whether a session will be cancelled. In marginal conditions, the coach may restrict rowing to the cove.

Lifejackets can not be worn in a rowing shell, because they snag the oar handles inevitably causing the rowing shell to flip. Transport Canada regulations recognize this special circumstance and require that lifejackets be carried on the coach / safety boat.

We launch shells from a gravel beach. You will have to wade into the water to mid shin depth. Wear foot and lower leg wear that you don't mind getting wet. The gravel is rough and there are barnacles, so some type of footwear is necessary. Flip-flops are not a good idea, because they do not stay on. Neoprene and rubber kayak shoes, plastic clogs or even boots work well.

Dress in layers. Clothing should be snug. Loose shorts or pants will get caught in between the seat and the slides. Loose tops will catch the oar handles. There should be no open pockets on the front of the torso to prevent the oar handles from catching. We row if there is rain.

You should bring water to practices.