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Juniors

THE FALL PROGRAM IS REACHING CAPACITY PLEASE CONTACT vcrcjuniors@gmail.com IF YOU HAVE NOT SIGNED UP AND WOULD LIKE TO ROW THIS FALL.
COVID-19 Update
The Victoria City Rowing Club is working to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Due to the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020-2021 season for juniors at VCRC will look different than any other year. Athletes will row in singles with the potential to get out in set 2xs or possibly 4xs later in the season, if/when restrictions ease.

  • General Information

    Program overview, registration, and gear information.

    • Welcome + Program Overview

      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.

      FALL 2020:

      1. In the event that COVID restrictions cause the cancellation of the Fall HIgh School season,  VCRC will be run a Fall season for all juniors, including novices..

      2. 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 Fall.

      3. 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.

      4. 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.

    • Registration & Fee information

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

      Fees:  Fees are  posted under each Season, by program (e.g., Junior Novice, Fun and Fit etc.).

      Paying by installments 

      Fall season: Please contact clubadmin@vcrc.bc.ca

      Junior Parent membership

      Parents or guardians of VCRC Junior members may register as VCRC Associate -Parent members of VCRC. The Associate membership is a non-rowing membership, with voting privileges. To be eligible, a parent must pay the Junior Spring program fee,a $100 non-refundable deposit for the Junior Summer Program, and the $ VCRC Associate - Parent fee.

      Receipts: Download the receipt from  your child's RCA Web Registration account: 

      On the My Account page, scroll down to Program Membership, click the expand arrow, click View Invoice for the desired program.

      Funding Support

      Grants to assist lower income families with registration fees are available through:

      Kidsport Victoria  

      Athletics for Kids

      Jumpstart

      ***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.

      Family Discount

      VCRC offers a 10% discount for the second child and a 20% discount for subsequent children who are registered in a VCRC Junior competitive program in the same year. Please contact the  if you would like the discount applied to your fees.

       

  • Program Information by Season

    VCRC offers competitive and non competitive programs in the Winter (November- March), Spring/Summer (April-August) Program dates, fees and schedules are posted by season.

    • Fall 2020

      THE FALL PROGRAM IN REACHING CAPACITY PLEASE CONTACT vcrcjuniors@gmail.com IF YOU HAVE NOT SIGNED UP AND WOULD LIKE TO ROW THIS FALL. THE MAIN OPEN SPACES WE HAVE ARE IN THE NOVICE 3 TRAINING GROUP.

      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.

      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.

    • Summer Season 2020

      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.

  • Junior Training Groups

    Junior Novice (Learn to Train), Fun & Fit (Train to Train), Fun & Fast (Learn to Compete) and Fun & Perform (Train to Compete)

    • Junior Novice Program

      For those new to rowing. No experience required. THE PROGRAM HAS REACHED CAPACITY PLEASE CONTACT vcrcjuniors@gmail.com IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ROWING THIS FALL

      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 stable Coastal and Pontoon singles, moving to  racing singles when comfortable and safe.  Due to limited capacity, priority will be given to athletes in Grade 9 and up and to Grade 8's with rowing experience or who have a sibling in the VCRC Junior program. (Rowing in 2xs is permitted in a Novice program only if the rowers are siblings and one of them is experienced). 

      LTAD Stage: Learn to Train – Train to Train 

      Start Date: September 14th, 2020       End Date: November 1st

      Fee: $315, 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 Fall Season 2020 questionnaire.If we think a different group will be a better fit we will contact you. Please select all options that work for you and we will do our best to get you in the group that fits best.

      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 4:14pm-6:15pm and Saturday and Sunday 9:30am - 11:30am

      * Schedule is flexible to work around school schedules.

      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

      First come, first serve.

      18 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).
       

    • Fun & Fit

      For youth grade 8 - 12 in the Learn to Train and Train to Train stage. This is a great program for younger athletes and juniors with a lot of other commitments. THE FALL PROGRAM IN REACHING CAPACITY PLEASE CONTACT vcrcjuniors@gmail.com IF YOU HAVE NOT SIGNED UP AND WOULD LIKE TO ROW THIS FALL.

      Program Overview

      The Junior Fun & Fit program is for youth Grades 8-12 who already know how to row, and are rowing primarily for fun, fitness and skill development.  This is a great program for younger athletes and juniors with a lot of other commitments outside of rowing.  Athletes will be grouped by age, where possible.

      LTAD Stage: Learn to Train, Train to Train 

      Start Date: September 14th, 2020       End Date: November 1st

      Fee: $262.50, 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 Fall Season 2020 questionnaire.If we think a different group will be a better fit we will contact you. Please select all options that work for you and we will do our best to get you in the group that fits best.

      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 4:14pm-6:15pm and Saturday and Sunday 9:30am - 11:30am

      * Schedule is flexible to work around school schedules.

      Competitions

      With COVID restrictions still in place there will most likely be no sanctioned regattas this Fall. Junior athletes will have the chance to participate in fun, "in-house" challenges.

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

      Selection

      First come, first serve.

      28 spaces.

      Prerequisite:
      Completion of one School season or Youth Introduction to Rowing program.  Limited number of spaces for athletes who require more stable boats.

    • Fun & Fast

      For athletes grade 9-12, who are competent in a racing single and want to compete in local and provincial regattas. THE FALL PROGRAM HAS REACHED CAPACITY PLEASE CONTACT vcrcjuniors@gmail.com IF YOU HAVE NOT SIGNED UP AND WOULD LIKE TO ROW THIS FALL.

      Program Overview

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

      LTAD Stage: Learn to Compete 

      Start Date: September 14th, 2020       End Date: November 1st

      Fee: $365, 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 Fall Season 2020 questionnaire.If we think a different group will be a better fit we will contact you. Please select all options that work for you and we will do our best to get you in the group that fits best.

      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 

      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 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

      First come, first serve.

      30 spaces.

      Prerequisite:
      Athletes must be comfortable in a racing single.

    • Fun & Perfom

      (aka Fall Performance Development) for pre-elite/high performance athletes.

      Program Overview
      The Fall Performance Development Program is for pre-elite/high performance athletes who would like to develop their technique in small boats and are committed to doing the volume and intensity of training that will prepare them for racing at the Junior National Team trials or becoming a a Varsity rower in University. The program includes 6 on water and 2 ergometer training sessions per week as well as a weekly check in and a goal setting session. Depending on COVID restrictions, some sessions may be or may become virtual.

      This program is designed for athletes in the Training to Compete stage of development. It is important that athletes have a good foundation of skills and fitness in order to benefit from the program and minimize the risk of injury. The standards have been established to help the coach and athletes identify whether the athlete is ready for and will benefit from the program.

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

      Start Date: September 8th, 2020       End Date: November 1st

      Fee: $472.50, and 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 3:45-5:45pm

      Saturday Saturday 9am-11am and 2pm-4pm
      Monday, Wednesday 7pm-8:30pm Ergometer training

      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 Apply
      Please complete the application form and submit to the VCRC Director Junior Rowing (), by 6 pm August 23rd. Potential candidates will be invited for an interview before a final selection is made.
       

      Check here for more details on selection criteria.

  • Volunteer Information

    Support Junior rowers and VCRC!

    • Junior Parent Committee

      The Junior Parent Committee supports the Junior program by fundraising, running the Food Tent at regattas, and taking on other projects that support the Junior program.

      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

      Support Junior rowers and VCRC.

      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.

       

  • Fall Performance Development Program 2020

    Check here for details on the Fall Performance Development Program, including overview, dates, schedule and how to apply.

    Program Overview
    The Fall Performance Development Program is for pre-elite/high performance athletes who would like to develop their technique in small boats and are committed to doing the volume and intensity of training that will prepare them for racing at the Junior National Team trials or getting ready for a transfer to become a Varsity rower in University. The program includes 6 on water and 2 ergometer training sessions per week as well as a weekly check in and a goal setting session. Depending on COVID restrictions sessions may be or become virtual.

    This program is designed for athletes in the Training to Compete stage of development. It is important that they have a good foundation of skills and fitness in order to benefit from the program and minimize the risk of injury. The standards have been established to help the coach and athletes identify whether the athlete is ready for and will benefit from the program.

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

    Start Date: September 8th, 2020                                 End Date: November 1st

    Fee: $472.50, and RCA/RBC fee if applicable.

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

    Monday, Wednesday, 12:30-3pm pm or 3-5:45pm

    Tuesday, Friday 3:15-5:45pm

    Saturday noon-2:15pm and 3-5:15pm
    Monday, Wednesday 6:30-8pm Ergometer training

    Competitions

    With COVID restrictions still in place there will most likely be no sanctioned regatta’s this fall but we will be challenging all junior athletes within the junior program and VCRC to prepare you for bigger events in the future.

    To Apply
    Please complete the application form and submit to the VCRC Director Junior Rowing (), by 6pm August 23rd. Potential candidates will be invited for an interview before a final selection is made.

    ·      Time Trail in single or pair (2km)

    ·      RADAR score – Max Watts, 1min, 2km, 6km

    ·      Rowing or erg video for technical analysis

    ·      250 word essay outlining your goals and the stepping stones and strategies that you will use to help achieve them.

    ·      Show do be involved in regular weight training (2-3 times per week)

    ·      Able to run for at least 40min or bike for 90min or can demonstrate that they can do alternative cross-training activities 

    Selection

    The program is limited to 8-12 athletes who are selected for the program based on their application and interview.

    Selection into the program will depend on the quality of the candidates applying to the program with preference given to those athletes who ranks the highest during on water time trail and RADAR starting from National Development, Talent Development, and down to Club Elite. 

    Interviews: 

    Athletes should be prepared to show a training journal for the past year and be able to show the improvements that their commitment to training has brought. All interviews will take place via zoom.

  • Royal Canadian Henley Regatta

    The Royal Canadian Henley Regatta is the largest club regatta in North America, attracting competitors from across Canada, the US, Europe, Australia and Central and South America.  Racing at Henley is competitive, exciting and FUN. 

    Consistency and quality of training throughout the Winter and Spring, as well as in the Summer season, are critical to racing well at Henley. 

    Talk to your coach to find out more about Henley goals for this year for your age group.

    Initial information will be provided at the Junior Parent and Athlete Meeting (January 10, 2019). 

    Henley Information Meeting   Date TBD. Please check with your coach. For athletes (and their parents) committed to trying out for Henley. Please bring your Henley deposit cheque.

    Henley selection - TBD 

    Athletes from other programs (e.g., CSI, Brentwood, Shawnigan) who would like to join VCRC for the summer and race at Henley are encouraged to contact the VCRC Junior Head coach during the Spring season and to attend the Henley Information Meeting.

    Henley training and Henley fee

    Henley crews will train an additional 3 sessions/week starting in late June.  There will be an additional fee for athletes racing at Henley to cover these additional coached sessions, as well as a fee to cover travel, accommodation, trailering and entry fees.

    Henley Fundraising

    Athletes and parents are encouraged to fundraise to help offset costs. VCRC supports  fundraising initiatives  through the VCRC Travel Fund (for example, contributing 75% of the concession revenue, special event entry fees and the course installation fee from the BC Championships regatta). Athletes are encouraged to apply for assistance from the VCRC Travel Fund and to organise their own fundraising events.  Please contact the VCRC Club Manager or lead coach for more information on fundraising and the Travel Fund.