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).  

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.

* 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): athletes are encourage to row for their schools. VCRC runs a small Fall Development program for high performance Junior athletes, and a program for athletes without a school rowing program. 

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

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

With COVID restrictions still in place but easing up. VCRC will go back to a program similar to pre-COVID. The Winter season will be a preparation season with athletes working on Fundamental movement skills, 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 that are relevant to their age and commitment level.
On water, we will focus on crew boats. There will be an opportunity for intra club 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. 

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

Regattas: Regatta fees are included in the fees this year. We hope we will be back regatta's this year.

Capacity:  120 athletes

Start date: November 15th, 2021

End date: March 20th, 2022

Middle school Program:
3x per week
$690 (+ RCA/RBC/fees if not currently registered)

Fun & Fit - Train to Train

3x per week
$640  (+ RCA/RBC/fees if not currently registered)

Fun & Fast – Learn to Compete

5x per week

$861  (+ RCA/RBC/fees if not currently registered)

Fun & Perform – Train to Compete

6x per week + 2 erg 
M,T,W,F,Sat 2x

$971  (+ RCA/RBC/fees if not currently registered)

Capacity: 24

For more info see the junior programs and practice schedule tap below. Or contact the Director of Junior rowing at vcrcjuniors@gmail.com 

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  March 20th. A $50 late fee applies to registrations after this date.

Remember to submit your $100 Volunteer Bond (cheque payable to VCRC, postdated July 20th 2022 or provide bank or credit card information to the Club Manager.  For more information on the Volunteer Bond, click here.

2022 PROGRAM DATES AND FEES**   

Full Spring-Summer Season: April 4th to July 29th, 2022

Programs can be prorated to a spring or summer only program please contact vcrcjuniors@gmail.com for more info

Spring only: April 4th - June 68th

Summer only: June 27th - July 29th

Mandatory Volunteer Bond: please submit a separate cheque for $100.00, postdated July 20th, 2022. 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 Wednesday April 6th, 7 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.

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.

Delta Deas Regatta May 28-29, 2022.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 on April 17th at the latest and complete payment for the event by April 2022. Payments can be made via Cheque, Cash or Credit Card

Fee (tentative): $450 

Program Overview   LTAD Stage: Learn to Train

For those in grade 7and 8 who would like to build their skills after a learn to row camp and become part of the VCRC Junior program. Participants will learn to scull and sweep and will get experience in all different seats in the boat. There will be a focus on technical and skill Development. During the Spring Summer Competitive season Participants will have the opportunity to race in Novice events.

Prerequisite:  Completion of a Youth Introduction to Rowing for beginners

Dates:  
Winter Season:
Start Date: November 15th, 2021       End Date: March 20th, 2022

Fee: $690 + $39 annual RCA/RBC fee.

Summer Seasons:

Start Date: April 4th, 2022       End Date: July 29th, 2022

Fee: $930 + $39 annual RCA/RBC fee.

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

3x/wk

Thursday 4-6pm and Sunday 9:30-11:30am and 12:15pm-2pm

* Schedule is flexible to work around school schedules. Times may be adjusted to manage the flow of athletes, to align with COVID-19 restrictions.

To Register https://membership.rowingcanada.org

Program Overview   LTAD Stage: Train to Train - Learn to Compete

This program was create to bridge the gab from Highschool Novice to the Fun and Fast program while keeping the Novice group together for the key Novice regatta's. The Winter season if the Highschool novice program focus on technical and fundamental skill Development. During the Spring Summer season you will be able to put your skills to the test during regatta's and learn from one regatta to improve at the next regatta. Participating in Novice events will help find the right level of competition. The Higschool Novice+ program will add 1 training session a week to your current schedule to start training with the Fun and Fast group and look ahead to the summer regatta's where you will no longer be racing in a novice category. We strongly encourage you race in a small boat at the Delta Deas Regatta after which you will fully move into the Fun and Fast training group if you feel ready or continue on the same training days in you and the coaches feel like a more technique focus and less regatta oriented training program is still the right program for you.

Prerequisite:  Completion of the VCRC junior Winter Highschool Novice Program.

Spring-Summer Seasons:

Start Date: April 4th, 2022       End Date: July 29th, 2022

Fee: 1386 +$39 annual RCA/RBC fee 

Practice Schedule

5x/wk

April 4th - May 29th:

Tuesday - Thursday 4-6pm and Sunday 9:15-11:15am and 12-2pm

Option to move to Fun and Fast program:

May 30th - July 29th:

Monday, Wednesday Friday 4:00pm-6:00pm, Saturday 9:00am-11:00am and 12:00-2:00pm 

Commitment:

10 hours per week of rowing specific training.

To Register https://membership.rowingcanada.org

Program Overview   LTAD Stage: Learn to Train – Train to Train

For those in grade 9-12 who would like to build their skills after a learn to row camp and become part of the VCRC Junior program. Participants will learn to scull and sweep and will get experience in all different seats in the boat. There will be a focus on technical and skill Development when the participant has reached a comfort and skill level to be part of the Fun & Fit or Fun & Fast group, the coach will suggest a transition. During the Spring Summer Competitive season Participants will have the opportunity to race in Novice events.

Prerequisite:  Completion of a Youth Introduction to Rowing for beginners

Dates:  
Winter Season:
Start Date: November 15th, 2021       End Date: March 20th, 2022

Fee: $980 + $39 annual RCA/RBC fee.

Summer Seasons:

Start Date: April 4th, 2022       End Date: July 29th, 2022

Fee: $1295 + $39 annual RCA/RBC fee.

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

4x/wk

Tuesday and Thursday 4-6pm and Sunday 9:15-11:15am and 12-2pm

* Schedule is flexible to work around school schedules. Times may be adjusted to manage the flow of athletes, to align with COVID-19 restrictions.

To Register https://membership.rowingcanada.org

Program Overview LTAD Stage: Train to Train

For those in grade 8-12 who already know how to row and would like to row for fitness, skill development and fun. Athletes row in all different boat classes.  Athletes will train 3x/wk, including land and onwater sessions and during the winter period will participate in on land mobility, core and circuit training. 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.

Prerequisite: A full year of rowing experience.

Winter Season:

Start Date: November 15th, 2021       End Date: March 20th, 2022

Fee: $640  +$39 annual  RCA/RBC fee 

Spring-Summer Season:

Start Date: April 4th, 2021       End Date: July 29th, 2022

Fee: $900  +$39 annual  RCA/RBC fee 

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

3x/wk
Tuesday-Thursday 4pm - 6pm and Sunday 11:45pm - 1:45pm

To Register   https://membership.rowingcanada.org

Program Overview LTAD Stage: Learn to Compete 

For athletes grade 9-12 who are comfortable in a racing single and want to compete in local and provincial regattas in varsity or junior varsity crews. Athletes will row in all different types of boats training 5x/wk, including both land and on-water sessions and participate in mobility, core and circuit training.

Prerequisite: Full year of rowing experience and graduation out of the novice program.

Winter Season:

Start Date: November 15th, 2021       End Date: March 20th, 2022

Fee: 861 +$39 annual RCA/RBC fee 

Spring-Summer:

Start Date: April 4th, 2022       End Date: July 29th, 2022

Fee: 1386 +$39 annual RCA/RBC fee 

Practice Schedule (5x/wk)

Monday, Wednesday Friday 4:00pm-6:00pm, Saturday 9:00am-11:00am and 12:00-2:00pm 

Commitment:

10 hours per week of rowing specific training.

To Register  https://membership.rowingcanada.org

.

Program Overview LTAD Stage: Late Learning to Compete- Early Training to Compete 
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 regattas. Athletes will row in singles, moving to bigger boats as COVID-19 restrictions permit. Training will include 6 group, coached session per week, including land and onwater sessions, and 2 erg or cross-training sessions on your own. Athletes may participate in online mobility, core and circuit training.

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. 
 

Winter Season:

Start Date: November 15th, 2021       End Date: March 20th, 2022

Fee: $971 + $39 annual RCA/RBC fee 

Spring-Summer Season:

Start Date: April 4th, 2022       End Date: July 29th, 2022

Fee: $1595 + $39 annual RCA/RBC fee 

Practice Schedule (6x/wk + 2 cardio OYO)
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 4:00-6:15pm

Saturday 9am-11:30am and 12:30pm-2:30pm

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 the other junior programs of the junior program and train 14-20 hours per week.

To Register  https://membership.rowingcanada.org

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.