Available Adult Programs

The Prince William Rowing Club (PWRC) is a Masters Rowing Club that offers an adult sweep rowing program with some sculling opportunities. Our typical season runs from early June to early November. PWRC offers programs for everyone at every skill level.

Too busy to row during the work week? PWRC strives to accommodate your busy schedule. Contact info@pwrc.org for more information on our weekend or part time rower programs.

During normal operating months, PWRC runs summer rowing camps for high school students who have never rowed before, including rising 9th graders, under the auspices of the Prince William Crew Association.

We are also always looking for adult and high school age members who would be interested in becoming coxswains for our club.

Rowing Schedule

We begin on the water practice in June and we row through the first weekend of November. During the summer we row on Tuesday & Thursday evenings from 6PM-8PM and on Saturday mornings from 7AM-9AM. In the fall (after Labor Day), we switch to rowing on Saturday & Sunday mornings from 7AM-9AM.

Competitive (Sweep Rowing & Sculling)

This competitive program is comprised of all rowers with at least one year of rowing experience (or the equivalent) who wish to compete in regattas. As an adult club, PWRC participates in Masters level regattas or regattas that offer Master level competitions. View USRowing competitive age categories. Our competitive category is divided into competitive men and competitive women. Since this category’s primary focus is preparing for and competing in regattas, practices and workouts here are the most intense. Within the competitive category there are rowers of varying abilities, experience, and commitment levels. PWRC coaches strive to match similar rowers together with the aim of fielding the most competitive boats, but always taking into account that every rower has the opportunity to participate at some level. Experienced boats primarily compete in Sprint Races (1,000 meters) in the summer and Head Races (5,000 meters) in the fall. Our experienced boats have enjoyed significant success in both regional and national events.

Fitness
(Recreational Sweep Rowing and Sculling)

This program is designed for experienced rowers who want to get on the water, develop their skills, and become more fit ... but not necessarily compete. The boats are typically mixed (men and women) and can include eights, fours, quads, and occasionally doubles. The shells launched for any given session are a function of rowers in attendance--the coach will attempt to get all rowers on the water; however, occasionally a rower might spend part of a practice in the coach's launch. The Fitness program supports those coming out of the novice program who want to improve their skills before moving into the Club's competitive program. The program also accommodates a "weekend only" rower option for those who want to experience the joy of rowing but cannot make the scheduled evening practices. Finally, the program can also support a limited number of “sculling only” rowers. This option is targeted at rowers who might not be able to sweep row due to physical limitations. Rowers in this category must have at least one full season of rowing experience. Depending on rower interest there may be an option of limited participation in local regattas. Alternatively, Fitness rowers can be considered for open seats for regattas--based on the needs of the competitive coaches.

Novice (Sweep Rowing)

This program is for adults who have never rowed before, and runs for our entire season (June through November). The program focuses on technique, basic skills, and working together with the other rowers in the boat. The novice boats have their own dedicated coaches and are brought along slowly. Typically, each year there are multiple ladies novice boats and one men’s novice boat. During the summer months the novices focus on learning how to row both as a team (rowing together) and individually (proper technique). Novice crews progress at different rates. However, should they desire, most novice crews have progressed far enough by September or October to begin participating in regattas at home (Occoquan events) and The Head of the Schuylkill (Philadelphia). By the end of the season, each novice will have completely mastered the basic skills.

"Raw Knucks" (Sweep Rowing)

Prior to this program, an individual with no prior rowing experience had few options but to join our club as a novice for the entire season to see if they liked rowing. With everyone in the boat a novice, and each novice rower in the midst of the process of learning to row, it took a fair amount of time for an individual to truly experience rowing's potential. Knowing the demands and responsibilities all adults have to juggle, PWRC developed this “trial run” program in 2004. For two weeks each Raw Knucks eight will go out with 4 experienced rowers and 4 novices. Rowing with experienced rowers allows the novices to leap frog ahead in the learning process and gain a feel of the potential that rowing offers. The commitment to this program is only for two weeks. The Raw Knucks Program consists of six total sessions. If you are on the fence about joining, you are having trouble justifying the commitment, but you suspect that you would enjoy rowing, Raw Knucks is for you!

Go to 2010 Registration to sign up!

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