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 (Fun & Fast and Fun & Perform), as well as a non-competitive Fun & Fit 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.

VCRC has adjusted the dates of seasonal Junior programs to establish a longer Winter preparation season (mid-November to mid-March) and a continuous competition season (April-early August).  

WINTER 2020:

1. Because introductory programs for youth were suspended for much of Summer 2020, VCRC will be providing a program for athletes with no previous rowing experience this Winter.

2. With COVID restrictions in place athletes will be grouped based on development level as well as goals and commitment level.* Groups will row together as schedules permit.

3. The Fall Performance Development program will run as normal.

* Please contact the  if are not sure what program to register for.

2020-2021 season:
Juniors register for programs by the season: (please note that the 2020-21 seasons have been changed from previous years.)

Winter Season: November - March

Spring/Summer Season: April - August

Fall (early September-early November): 

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.

*Fees for the 2020-2021 season are calculated without regatta fees. If regattas do happen there will be an extra fee for regatta entries.

With COVID restrictions still in place but easing up, VCRC will continue with the current training programs through the Winter season. The Winter season will be a preparation season with athletes working on the foundation of the sport and their physiological base. In addition to training, athletes will learn about recovery, nutrition, sleep, time management, goal setting and mental components of the sport. On water, we will continue to train in small boats, slowly introducing quads with approved training groups. There will be an opportunity for intraclub challenges and head races to put training and newly acquired skills to the test and have some fun racing.  

From November to early February, when it is too dark to row in the afternoons, weekday training will be on land with core, mobility, body weight and ergometer workouts. On weekends, juniors will be on the water for 90’ per session. Athletes will also be able to participate in online mobility, core and full body boot camp workouts, provided by FloStateFitness (included with the Junior fee).

As daylight permits in early February, we will move back to onwater sessions on weekdays as well as weekends.

Regattas: Regatta fees are not included in the Junior Winter fees.

There is still uncertainty regarding the regatta season - when regattas will be allowed to resume and what format they will take.  We will review plans for regattas as more information becomes available over the coming months. 

Capacity:  86 athletes

Start date: November 9, 2020

End date: March 14, 2021

Junior Novice Program
3x per week
$656.25 (+ RCA/RBC/fees if not currently registered)

Fun & Fit - Train to Train

3x per week
$603.75  (+ RCA/RBC/fees if not currently registered)

Fun & Fast – Learn to Compete

5x per week

$840.00  (+ RCA/RBC/fees if not currently registered)

Fun & Perform – Train to Compete

6x per week + 2 erg 
M,T,W,F,Sat 2x

$960.75  (+ RCA/RBC/fees if not currently registered)

Capacity: 20

For more info see the junior programs and practice schedule tap below.

There will be rowing this Fall!

With the cancellation of the Fall High School season,   VCRC is running a Fall Junior (club) season. 

Program Focus:

• improve small boat skills 
• build a solid aerobic base  
• develop a strong foundation of good rowing technique 
• onwater sessions in 1x, 2x, 2-,**
• strength and conditioning and mobility sessions (with a focus on injury prevention and physical development).
• "in-house" racing and challenges - for fun and to put your skills to the test!

**Recently announced guidelines by ViaSport and Rowing BC will alllow rowing of Cohort 4xs. VCRC will be developing its Sport Cohort Training Plan in the coming weeks. 

Training groups will be based on the development level, goals and commitment level of each athlete.

• VCRC Junior Fall 2020 Novice Program 
• VCRC Junior Fall 2020 Fun & Fit 
• VCRC Junior Fall 2020 Fun & Fast
• VCRC Junior Fall Performance Development 

Training times: We will aim to have the training groups train together, within the constraints imposed by different school schedules. As it sounds like school will be back in class we will use our normal after school and weekend training times**, and possibly add some weekday early afternoon (1-3 pm) sessions as schedules permit. 

**Junior training sessions: M-F  3:45 pm - 6 pm, Sat. 9 am - 4 pm,, Sun. 9 am-  3 pm. Please see specific programs and fill out the questionnaire, for specific training times.

Program dates

Novice*, Fun and Fast, and Fun and Fit September 14-November 1

Fun and Perform (Fall Performance Development) September 8- November 1

*Novice . No previous rowing experience is necessary, although we encourage you sign up for a Youth Introduction to Rowing program (August 24-September 5th). 

**NEW*** VCRC Junior Financial Support Fund

To help our community and ensure that every junior has the opportunity to get on the water, VCRC has established the Junior Financial Support Fund. The club-administered fund will be used to support junior athletes who, for financial reasons, would otherwise not be able to participate in VCRC’s Junior Rowing programs. 

Click here for more information and to apply.

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. 

VCRC JUNIORS SUMMER SEASON IS NOW POSTED ONLINE AND OPEN FOR REGISTRATION !!

Register before midnight on Wednesday June 24th to be part of the first schedule. Juniors  signing up after June 24th will be added to the initial schedule. We will do our best to accommodate everyone. Please share your availability with us so we can plan you into the schedule.

Improve your small boat and sculling skills while still enjoying the camaraderie of training alongside your friends. Due to the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 summer season for juniors at VCRC will look different than any other year. Athletes will row 3-4x per week in singles with the potential to get out (more often) in set 2xs or possibly 4xs later in the season, as restrictions ease. 

Online training: In addition to on-water sessions,  all participants will benefit from online training sessions for core strength, mobility, movement control and body weight circuits. These sessions are designed to help you prevent injuries and  improve rowing technique.

Regattas!: All participants will also get to race in VCRC's  "in house"  'Plan C' regatta season. We are planning different competitive challenges to keep things fun, interesting and to provide a focus for training. Check out the first challenge  the 'BC championships 2020',  under VCRC regattas on the website to find out more!

Start date: June 28, 2020  End date: August 23,2020

Programs and Fees:

• Juniors Summer Season 2020 - U15 and stable 1x (3 days a week) $262.50 + RCA/RBC fees*
• Junior Summer Season 2020 - U17 and U19 Racing 1x (4 days a week) $341.25 + RBC/RBC fees*

* fees include GST

We hope to see you on the water this summer. Please contact the Director of Junior rowing at or via slack if you have any questions.

Prerequisite: completion of the Fall school season,  Introduction to Rowing program, Youth Summer Camp or equivalent. Due to COVID-19 restrictions VCRC is currently not hosting any beginner learn to row sessions.

Program Overview

The Junior Novice Program is for those who would like to learn to row and become part of the VCRC Junior program. Athletes will learn to row in coastal and pontoon singles, moving to racing singles when comfortable and safe. This program is designed for athletes grade 9 and up. All pontoon singles will be reserved for this program so if you are not comfortable in a racing single, this program is for you!
When an athlete has reach a comfort and skill level to be part of the Fun & Fit group a transition will be suggested by the coach.

LTAD Stage: Learn to Train – Train to Train 

Start Date:  November 9^th, 2020       End Date: March 14^th, 2021

Fee: $656.25, and RCA/RBC fee if applicable.

Tentative Practice Schedule (depending on COVID restrictions and school schedules) Please select the training times that work for you on the VCRC junior Winter Season 2020-2021 questionnaire.

3x/wk

Novice 1: Monday, Friday 4:15pm - 6:15pm and Saturday 12:00pm - 2:00pm

Novice 2: Tuesday, Thursday 4:15 - 6:15pm and Sunday 12:30 - 2:30pm 

Novice 3: Wednesday 4:15pm-6:15pm and Saturday and Sunday 9:30am - 11:30am

* Schedule is flexible to work around school schedules.

** Start time might be 4pm on weekdays, depending on the flow of athletes we can welcome within COVID regulations.

*** If you are currently part of the program and would like to change practice schedule, please contact Katie Bahain-Steenman before November 1^st via Slack.

Competitions

With COVID restrictions still in place there will most likely be no sanctioned regattas this Fall. Instead, we will be running "in-house" challenges to prepare you for local events in the future. 

Communication

All communication will happen via 'slack' please send all email addresses you would like to link up to our communication tool to vcrcjuniors@gmail.com

To Register
Register via https://membership.rowingcanada.org

Selection

Priority to athletes who are registered in the Fall 2020 Junior program and to those in Grades 9 and up.

16 spaces.

Prerequisite:  none. (Completion of a Youth Introduction to encouraged.)

(Novices who have completed an Introduction to Rowing program or who can row with an experienced sibling may be permitted to row a 2x).
 

Program Overview

The Junior Fun & Fit program is for those who already know how to row and would like to row for fitness and fun. Athletes will work on the aerobic fitness as well as core strength, mobility and foundational movement skills. This program is suitable for experienced rowers who have a busy schedule and for rowers who are graduating out of the novice program and looking to advance further. 

The Fun & Fit program will focus on staying fit and healthy, continued skill acquisition and  preparing the athletes for more intense training at later stages.

LTAD Stage: Train to Train 

Start Date: November 9^th, 2020       End Date: March 14^th, 2021

Early Bird Fee: $603.75, and RCA/RBC fee if applicable.

Tentative Practice Schedule (depending on COVID restrictions and school schedules)

3x/wk
Fun & Fit 1: Monday, Friday 4:15pm - 6:15pm and Saturday 12:00pm - 2:00pm

Fun & Fit 2: Tuesday, Thursday 4:15 - 6:15pm and Sunday 12:30 - 2:30pm 

Fun & Fit 3: Wednesday 4:15pm-6:15pm and Saturday and Sunday 9:30am - 11:30am

*.     Start time might be 4pm on weekdays, depending on the flow of athletes we can welcome within COVID regulations.

**    If you are currently part of the program and would like to change practice schedule, please contact Katie Bahain-Steenman before November 1^st via Slack. 

*** If you are new to the program please fill out the following quedstionnair VCRC junior Winter Season 2020-2021 questionnaire.

Competitions

With COVID restrictions still in place there will most likely be no sanctioned regattas this Winter. Instead, we will be organizing challenges within the junior program and club to prepare you for local events in the future.

To Register
Register via https://membership.rowingcanada.org

Selection

Priority to athletes who are registered in the Fall 2020 Junior program who register before November 1st after this it will be: First come, first serve.

25 spaces.

Prerequisite:
Able to row a racing single. Athletes in the Fall Novice program who are  making the transition from coastal and pontoon singles to racing singles  may be considered based on a recommendation from your coach.
 

.

Program Overview

The Junior Fun & Fast program is for those who already know how to row a racing single and want to compete in local and provincial regattas in varsity or junior varsity crews. During the Winter season you will work on small boat skills and technique.

LTAD Stage: Learn to Compete 

Start Date: November 9^th, 2020       End Date: March 14^th, 2021

Early Bird Fee: $840.00, and RCA/RBC fee if applicable. Early Bird fee

Tentative Practice Schedule (depending on COVID restrictions and school schedules)

5x/wk

Fun & Fast 1: Monday, Wednesday Thursday 4:00pm-6:00pm, Saturday 9:15am-11:15am and Sunday 9:45am-11:45am

Fun & Fast 2: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 4:00pm-6:00pm, Saturday and Sunday 12:00pm-2:00pm 

*  If you are currently part of the program and would like to change practice schedule, please contact Katie Bahain-Steenman before November 1^st via Slack.

Commitment:

10 hours per week of rowing specific training.

Competitions

With COVID restrictions still in place there will most likely be no sanctioned regattas this Winter. Instead, we will be organizing challenges within the junior program and club to prepare you for local events in the future.

To Register
Register via https://membership.rowingcanada.org

Selection

Priority to athletes who are registered in the Fall 2020 Junior program who register before November 1st

25 spaces.

Prerequisite:
Athletes must be comfortable in a racing single.

Program Overview
The Junior Fun & Perform program is for pre-elite/high performance athletes who are committed to doing the volume and intensity of training that will prepare them for racing in varsity level events at regional, national and international regatta's. The program includes 6 on water and 2 ergometer training sessions per week. 

This program is designed for athletes in the Training to Compete stage of development. It is important that you have a good foundation of skills and fitness in order to benefit from the program and minimize the risk of injury. 

LTAD Stage: Late Learning to Compete- Early Training to Compete 

Start Date: November 9^th, 2020       End Date: March 14^th, 2021

Early bird Fee: $960.75 +  RCA/RBC fee if applicable.

Tentative Practice Schedule (depending on COVID restrictions and school schedules)
6x/wk + 2x/wk erg (virtual)
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 3:45-6:15pm

Saturday 9am-11am and 2pm-4pm
Monday, Friday 7:30pm-9pm Ergometer training or cross-training.*

* if you do not have an ergometer at home. Alternative cross training during the week can replace these workouts. Contact the Director of junior rowing if you are looking at doing alternative cross-training.

Competitions

With COVID restrictions still in place there will most likely be no sanctioned regattas this Winter. Instead, we will be organizing challenges within the junior program and club to prepare you for local events in the future.

Commitment:
You are expected to participate in all training sessions- land and water, and be a leader and role model within the VCRC junior program. Support

Selection

The program is limited to 20 athletes who are selected for the program. Selection into the Fun and Perform group is based on RADAR testing in November 2020, on water performance and/or coach's recommendation. 

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.