Middle School Programs
Young people who are interested in rowing can join our programs as early as the summer going into their 6th grade year. Middle school (grades 6 through 8) is a great time to get involved in an activity that encourages physical development, mental discipline, social connection, personal responsibility, and sense of capability, all while getting outside and learning how to maneuver a vessel – backwards!
NRRA believes in the holistic development of our athletes, prioritizing and committing to the longterm health and goals of each participant. Our youth Learn to Row programs are focused on safety, fun, and learning the basics in a relaxed, non-competitive environment. Once they’ve got the hang of the basics, middle school athletes can move into the Intermediate program to continue developing their skills in a recreational atmosphere, or if they are interested, can begin exploring the competitive side of the sport at an age-appropriate level with the Competitive Development program.
We welcome and encourage any youth interested in learning about rowing to come try it with us, regardless of fitness, size, perceived “athletic ability”, or financial means. Our mission is to share the unique sport of rowing and to encourage and enable you in pursuit of your goals, whether they include learning a new skill, building strength, finding calm, making friends, or winning a race. Whatever your aim, it all starts with the first stroke!
*A note on registration* – NRRA uses CrewLAB for program registration and communication organization-wide. If you do not yet have a CrewLAB account, simply click the link below for the program you would like to join, and you will be directed to the CrewLAB website and prompted to create an account. CrewLAB has both a website and an app for mobile.
Winter 2026/27 Schedule
Participants who have completed one season of Learn to Row (or equivalent experience at the discretion of the Director of Rowing) AND are in the 7th grade or above may choose to begin exploring the competitive side of the sport. The focus of this program is on building successful athletic habits (both on and off the water), cultivating a healthy mindset toward training, competition, and performance, and having fun learning to go fast! Program participants will work toward developing their technique, expanding their knowledge of rowing equipment, improving their physical strength and endurance, and laying the foundation for a long, safe, and healthy relationship with the sport and themselves.
Winter training will be exclusively land-based, making use of the rowing machine (erg), stationary bikes, running (when conditions safely allow), weights (adjusted for the size, strength an experience of each individual athlete), bodyweight strengthening exercises, and mobility work. We will also make use of video and technical demonstrations to augment participants’ understanding of various concepts, and provide information about non-athletic but essential topics such as nutrition, hydration, sleep, recovery, and time management.
Youth Competitive Development (3 days per week)
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
4:30pm – 6:30pm
November 30 – February 5
$1300
(No practice for the Winter Holiday break December 19 through January 3)
Youth Competitive Team (5 days per week)
Mondays through Fridays
4:30pm – 6:30pm
November 30 – February 5
$1800
(No practice for the Winter Holiday break December 19 through January 3)
For more information, contact Director of Rowing Scott Branscomb scottb@norwalkriverrowing.org
For those seeking financial assistance to participate in a program, you can find the request form here.
Please consider adding a donation to the Matthew Zucker Memorial Fund which provides outreach programs and financial aid for athletes who need the support. Give another athlete the chance to row.