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, we switch to rowing on Saturday & Sunday mornings from 7AM-9AM.

Competitive (Sweep & Sculling Rowing)

This category 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 Regattas or regattas that offer Master level competitions. View USRowing competitive age categories. This 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. The 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 recent years, both in regional and national events.

Recreational and Fitness (Sweep Rowing)

This program is the category for those experienced rowers that want to develop their rowing skills, get on the water, and exercise, but not necessarily compete. The recreational boat(s) are usually mixed and there is a dedicated coach just for the recreational group. This category has grown in popularity because it provides rowers an alternative to always preparing for the next race. There is also a weekend only rower option. For practical purposes Weekend Only Rowers row with the recreational group. Recreational Rowers can be considered for races as alternates for specific regattas, but this is not the main focus for this category. Rowers in this category must have at least one year of rowing experience (or the equivalent).

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!