Juniors

Welcome to the Victoria City Rowing Club (VCRC) Junior Program.  VCRC offers competitive rowing programs for youth aged 12-18 years old, from novice to high performance levels, as well as a non-competitive, Row for Life program.  VCRC programs are aligned with Rowing Canada's Athlete Development Pathway and Canadian Sport for Life.

The goals of the Junior program are:

• to foster a love of rowing,
• to encourage all participants to work hard and strive for excellence,
• to build self-confidence and intrinsic motivation by helping athletes develop skills, fitness and competence, and
• to foster the development of Juniors as athletes and as citizens.

Prerequisite: completion of the Fall school season, an Introduction to Rowing program, Youth Summer Camp or equivalent. VCRC is happy to arrange custom Introduction to Rowing lessons for youth who wish to register for the coming season but do not meet the prerequisite.

Juniors are grouped by age and gender: Junior A (U19), Junior B (U17) and Junior C (U15). * 

*There is some flexibility in the age groupings to accommodate juniors who are either early or late developers. Please contact the if you wish to register in a group outside your age group.

Juniors register for programs by the season:

Winter/Spring Season: January-end of May

Summer Season: June-end of July

Winter Training Camp: mid November-mid December

Row for Life:  early February-end of July, in 8 week or 4 week blocks.

Fall (early September-early November): VCRC encourages athletes to row for their school. Please visit  Greater Victoria Youth Rowing Society or contact your school's Athletic Director for more information on the Fall school program.

VCRC runs a small Fall Development program for high performance Junior athletes. 

Find more program details, including start dates and training schedules under Program Information.

The Winter Training Camp helps athletes build a strong foundation of general fitness (aerobic capacity, strength, flexibility) and further develop rowing skills in preparation for the Spring Junior Competitive season.   Weekday sessions are on land and typically include ergometer, core and circuit training and some running; weekend session are onwater. Athletes are encouraged to register for the  Winter Training Camp to prepare for the upcoming season, but it is not mandatory.

Prerequisite: completion of the Fall school season, an Introduction to Rowing program, Youth Summer Camp or equivalent. VCRC is happy to arrange custom Introduction to Rowing lessons for youth who wish to register for the Winter Training Camp but do not meet the prerequisite.

2019  Dates and Fees**

November 11-December 15, 2019

All athletes are welcome to the Annual Christmas Row December 22nd, 2019. Check with your coach for details!

Junior U19 and Junior U17: 5 practices per week.    Fee: $189

Junior U15: 3 practices per week.  Fee: $131.25

* Plus annual $35 RCA/RBC if owing. The RCA Web Registration site will determine whether the fee is owing and will then calculate the total fee to be paid.

**fees include GST 

REGISTER NOW  Not sure how to register? Visit the VCRC Registration page for complete instructions.

2019 Practice Schedule: 

U19 Boys: T,Th,F 4:00-6:15 pm; Sunday 8:30-10:45 am, and 12:00-2:00 pm

U19 Girls: M,W,F 4:00-6:15 pm, Saturday 8:30-10:45 am and 12:00-2:00 pm

U17 Boys: T,W,F 4:00-6:15 pm, Sunday 8:30 am-10:45 am and 12:00-2:00 pm

U17 Girls: M,W,Th 4:00-6:15 pm, Saturday 8:30 -10:45 am and 12:00-2:00 pm

U15 Boys: M,W 4:00-6:15 pm, Saturday 8:45-10:45 am

U15 Girls: T,Th 4:00-6:15 pm, Saturday  12:00 pm-2:00 pm

Novice rowers will have a dedicated coach during erg and onwater sessions, to help rowers develop a solid technical foundation and training groups will be working together

The VCRC Spring Junior Competitive rowing program focuses on developing technical and competitive skills and fitness for rowers at all levels, from novice  to elite. 

Prerequisite: completion of the Fall school season, an Introduction to Rowing program, Youth Summer Camp or equivalent. VCRC is happy to arrange custom Introduction to Rowing lessons for youth who wish to register for the coming season but do not meet the prerequisite.

REGISTER NOW  Not sure how to register? Visit the VCRC Registration page for complete instructions.  To assist with planning, please register by  December 15th, 2019. A $50 late fee applies to registrations after this date.

Remember to submit your $100 Volunteer Bond (cheque payable to VCRC, postdated April 30, 2020, or provide bank or credit card information to the Club Manager.  For more information on the Volunteer Bond, click here.

2020 PROGRAM DATES AND FEES**   January 6th to May 24th, 2020

Jr A athletes (U19) Green (6 practices/wk): Fee: $1522.50* OR  White (4 practices/wk):  Fee: $1228.50* 

Jr B athletes (U17):  5 practices/wk. Fee: $1370.25* 

Jr C athletes (U15): practice 3 practices/wk. Fee: $1076.25* 

Coxswain Fee: $462* 

* Plus $35 annual RCA/RBC fee. The RCA Web Registration site will determine the RCA/RBC fees that are owing and then adjust the fee to be paid.

** all fees include GST

Mandatory Volunteer Bond: please submit a separate cheque for $100.00, postdated April 30, 2020. If you cannot volunteer, just write “cash it” on the cheque.  Please include athlete's name on all cheques!

**IMPORTANT**   Athlete and Parent Information Meeting Thursday January 9th, 6:30 pm. 

ALL athletes and parents are strongly encouraged to attend. Get information on: regattas, communicating with coaches, where to find up-to-date information, Junior Parent Committee, important reminders and new initiatives, guidelines for dealing with sickness, injury or absences, and much more. This is a great chance to meet the coaches and other parents, and ASK QUESTIONS.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE

U19 Boys Green (6 practices) - M, T,Th, F 4:00-6:15 pm; Sunday 8:30-10:45 am and 12:00-2:00 pm

U19 Boys White (4 practices) - T, Th, F 4:00-6:15 pm; Sunday 8:30-10:45am

U19 Girls Green (6 practices) - M, T, W, F 4:00-6:15pm, Saturday 8:30-10:45am and 12:00pm-2:00pm

U19 Girls White (4 practices) - M, W, F, 4:00-6:15pm, Saturday 8:30-10:45am

U17 Boys  - T, W, F 4:00-6:15pm, Sunday 8:30-10:45 am and 12:00pm-2:00 pm

U17 Girls- M, W, Th 4:00 - 6:15pm, Saturday 8:30-10:45am and 12:00pm-2:00 pm

U15 Boys - M, W, 4:00-6:15 pm, Saturday 8:45-10:45 am

U15 Girls - T, Th 4:00-6:15pm, Saturday 12:00pm-2:00 pm

REGATTAS 

Information on regattas will be provided at the start of the season, throughout the season by the lead coach of each program and is available on Rowing BC.  Click here for the Junior Regatta Schedule.

Are you new to rowing and want to be part of a competitive program? Please register for a Youth Introduction to Rowing or Youth Summer Camp. From there you can move on to the Row for Life program or a ReBoot camp to further build your skills and fitness in preparation for the Fall competitive season (offered through the High Schools).

Delta Deas Regatta May 22-24, 2020.This is a fun regatta to end the season, with athletes enjoying travelling and staying together. Because this regatta involves the extra costs of off-Island travel and accommodation, there is an additional fee for those who choose to go. Please sign up via the Delta Deas google sheet and complete payment for the event by March 31, 2020. Payments can be made via Cheque, Cash or Credit Card

Fee (tentative): $350 

The VCRC Junior Competitive rowing program focuses on developing technical and competitive skills and fitness for rowers at all levels, from novice  to elite. 

Jr B athletes (U17): 5 practices/wk. Fee: $462.00* 

Are you new to rowing and want to be part of a competitive program? Please register for a Youth Introduction to Rowing or Youth Summer Camp. From there you can move on to the Row for Life program or a ReBoot camp to further build your skills and fitness in preparation for the Fall competitive season (offered through the High Schools).

ROW FOR LIFE

LTAD Stage: Learning to Train, Active for Life

Do you love to row but are not interested in competing or are too busy with other activities to commit to the Junior Competitive program? Sign up for  the  VCRC Row for Life program.  

The Row for Life program emphasizes skill development, aerobic fitness and the joy and fun of rowing in both crew boats and 1xs.

REGISTER NOW  Not sure how to register? Visit the VCRC Registration page.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE: M, W, F 4:00-6:15 pm

** 2020 DATES AND FEES**

Spring (8 week sessions)

R4L #1 February 3 - March 27, 2020

R4L #2 March 30- May 22, 2019

Fees: $294* 

Summer (4 week sessions)

R4L #3 June 8th-July 3rd,2020

R4L #4 July 6th-July 31st,2020

Fees: $162.75* 

* Plus $30 annual RCA/RBC fee. As of April 1st 2019 this will be $35 as RBC will change to the same structure as RCA with one base fee and seat fees per event entered in a regatta. The RCA Web Registration site will determine the RCA/RBC fees that are owing and then adjust the fee to be paid.

** fees include GST.

Commitment: 3 days per week

LTAD Stage: Learning to Train/early Training to Train

The U15 program emphasizes the FUNdamentals of rowing technique and teamwork, while developing aerobic fitness, strength and flexibility. U15 athletes are introduced to racing at local regattas.

Practice Schedule (Winter, Spring and Summer):
Junior C Boys: M, W 4:00-6:15 pm, Saturday 8:45 -10:45 am. 

Junior C Girls: T, Th 4:00-6:15 pm, Saturday 12:00pm am-2:00 pm

*There is some flexibility to accommodate athletes who are early or late developers. Please contact the  if you wish to register in a group outside your age group.

Commitment: 5 sessions per week

LTAD Stage: Training to Train

Training for the U17 group emphasizes aerobic capacity, flexibility and components of strength, while continuing to develop rowing skills. Athletes develop racing skills by competing in local regattas and can work toward competing at some Vancouver-based and major North American regattas. Novices are welcome.
 

Practice Schedule (Winter, Spring and Summer):

Junior B Boys: T,W,F 4:00-6;15 pm, Sunday 8:30-10:45 am and 12:00-2:00 pm

Junior B Girls: M, W, Th 4:00-6:15 pm, Saturday 8:30-10:45 am and 12:00-2:00 pm

*There is some flexibility to accommodate athletes who are early or late developers. Please contact the  if you wish to register in a group outside your age group.

Junior A Green (U19) (6 practices)

Commitment: 6 practices per week

LTAD Stage: Learning to Compete/early Training to Compete and Competitive for Life

The 6 session program is for those experienced athletes committed to training hard in order to compete at the top levels. Athletes will compete in most of the local regattas and possibly some major North American and International regattas. This program is for athletes who have aspirations to make the Provincial and/or Canadian Junior National teams or race at Royal Canadian Henley Regatta.

Practice Schedule Winter (5 sessions)

Junior A Boys: T, Th, F 4:00-6;15 pm, Sunday 8:30-10:45 am and 12:00-2:00 pm

Junior A Girls: M,W,F 4:00-6:15 pm, Saturday 8:30-10:45 am and 12:00-2:00 pm

Practice Schedule Spring and Summer (6 sessions)

Junior A Boys: M, T, Th, F 4:00-6;15 pm, Sunday 8:30-10:45 am and 12:00-2:00 pm

Junior A Girls: M,T,W,F 4:00-6:15 pm, Saturday 8:30-10:45 am and 12:00-2:00 pm

Junior A White (U19) (4 practices) 

LTAD Stage: Learning to Compete/early Training to Compete and Competitive for Life

The 4 day program develops general fitness, strength and rowing skills, and promotes "rowing for life". It is well-suited to athletes with other commitments who still want to enjoy rowing and racing, as well as to those thinking of training in the 6 day program in the future. Athletes in this group train along side the U19 six sessions group and compete in local regattas.

Practice Schedule Winter (5 sessions)

Junior A Boys: T, Th, F 4:00-6;15 pm, Sunday 8:30-10:45 am and 12:00-2:00 pm

Junior A Girls: M,W,F 4:00-6:15 pm, Saturday 8:30-10:45 am and 12:00-2:00 pm

Practice Schedule Spring and Summer (4 sessions)

Junior A Boys: T, Th, F 4:00-6:15 pm, Sunday 8:30-10:45 am 

Junior A Girls: M,W,F 4:00-6:15 pm, Saturday 8:30-10:45 am 

*There is some flexibility to accommodate athletes who are early or late developers. Please contact the  if you wish to register in a group outside your age group.

The Row for Life program is designed for those who love rowing and want to continue to develop their rowing skills and general fitness, but who are not interested in racing. Athletes in the Row for Life program are welcome to register for one of the competitive programs in the future.

Prerequisite: athletes must have completed an Introduction to Rowing, Youth Summer Camp, High School rowing program or equivalent. VCRC is happy to arrange private lessons for athletes who do not meet the prerequisite.
 

Practice Schedule:  M,W,F 4:00-6:15 pm

The Junior Parent Committee supports the Junior program in ways not directly related to training and racing. JPC initiatives include:

• Food tent (Spring "away" regattas)
• Annual fundraiser (Spring season)
• Summer BBQ (Summer season)

We encourage you to support the Junior program by volunteering for the JPC or helping with JPC initiatives. All Junior parents are invited to JPC meetings. Please contact the for more information.

Do you have a particular skill or area of interest? Please contact the  with your idea.

Volunteer Bond

A volunteer bond in the form of a $100 postdated cheque is required as part of Junior registration for both the Spring and Summer programs. The volunteer bond is deposited only if you are not able to fulfill the volunteer requirement.  

**NEW for Summer 2019**

We can now take credit card or bank information in lieu of a paper cheque. The volunteer bond payment will be processed if you are not able to fulfill the volunteer requirement.

Volunteer Requirement

Each Junior member registered (or their parent, sibling, grandparent...) is required to volunteer for at least one shift at the Duelling Over a Grand Regatta (Spring season) or BC Championships Regatta (Summer season). If you are not able to volunteer, the  volunteer bond will be cashed. More information on volunteer shifts and how to sign up will be provided during the season. 

Notes:

• Parents are asked to volunteer for a minimum of one shift per athlete in their family.
• Please contact the if you know in advance that you will be unable to volunteer on the regatta weekend. There are regatta jobs that can be done in advance of the regatta.
• Umpiring at the regatta or being on the Regatta Committee count as volunteer shifts.

These regattas hosted by VCRC not only provide great racing experiences for athletes, but are an important source of revenue that supports club operations (coaching, equipment maintenance and purchase).

Regatta Committee

We are also looking for volunteers for the Regatta Organizing Committee for both regattas: 

• Regatta Chair
• Safety Co-ordinator
• Site Co-ordinator
• Volunteer Co-ordinator
• Concession Co-ordinator
• Registration Co-ordinator
• Results Co-ordinator

Please contact the r if you would like more information or are interested in being on the Regatta Committee.