Background: GMS Rowing Center has an active and highly successful Cadet (Middle School) and Junior (High School) rowing program. In 2009 one rower represented the USA at the Junior Worlds in France, two represented the USA at the CanAmMex Regatta in Tennessee and we had a record number of boats at the Youth National Championships. Two of our students were awarded scholarships to college and three graduated to Ivy League Colleges

Structure: The program is organized into on-water programs covering spring, summer and fall. The spring and fall programs last approximately 10 weeks and to provide flexibility during the summer programs are arranged on a monthly basis. Winter Training (on-land) runs from mid-November through to early March providing a core base of strength and technique for rowers in the spring. It is a tremendous foundation for any aspiring student.

Content: The focus will be on teaching new rowers the basics of the rowing stroke, proper care and use of the equipment, and preparation for competition. We will introduce students to “sweep” rowing (a technique where each athlete uses one oar). They will learn to row in fours (rowing shells with seats for four rowers plus a coxswain) and eights (rowing shells with seats for eight rowers plus a coxswain). During the program they will have some exposure to “sculling” (a technique where each athlete uses two smaller oars, one in each hand).

Competition: Rowers will not travel to regattas but will be exposed to inter-program competition and scrimmages (informal regattas) with crews at the same level from other clubs.

Catchment Area: Students come from a wide number of local schools the greatest number from New Milford, Brookfield, Bridgewater and Newtown. Students from outside this area include a number from Redding, Ridgefield, Danbury in the south, and Washington and Litchfield in the north.

Daily Schedule: Workouts will start at 3:30 running until 5:30 daily. (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays are for new rowers and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for returning rowers.

Costs: The cost for the 3-day a week program is $550 per returning rower and $600 for new members. An additional discount of $50 is available if you sign up a new member. For the Summer the rates are $300 per returning rower and $350 per new rower.

Dates:

• Spring Program will start on Monday March 22nd and end on Friday, June 4th. Registration will be held on March 22nd from 3:30-5:30pm. Practice will begin on March 23rd. (No rowing will take place over the holiday week of April 19th to April 23rd )
• Summer Programs: (Monthly) Monday June 7th – Friday July 2nd or Monday July 5th – Friday July 30th or Monday August 2nd – Friday August 27th.
• Fall Program will start on Tuesday, September 7th and ends on Friday November 5th.
• Winter Program start on Monday, November 15th 2010 and will finish on Friday, March 4th 2011.

Registration: Please complete the Registration, Code of Conduct, Medical Authorization & US Waiver Forms found in the Cadets section of the Information Side Bar.

Summer Camps for Beginners:

Structure:

Our 1 week camp is a more intensive program that will give our new rowers a jump start and allow them to progress at an accelerated rate allowing them to move into our novice group in the fall. We will have 2 water sessions a day (weather permitting) along with cross training and video assessments.

Dates:

• Monday July 26th -Friday July 30th or
• Monday August 2nd – Friday August 6th or
• Monday August 9th – Friday August 13th

Time: 9am-3pm

Cost: $400.00 per week (snacks & beverages provided)

What to bring: bagged lunch with an ice pack, sneakers, socks, hat and or sunglasses, sunscreen, change of clothes and rain jacket.

Registration: Please complete the Registration, Code of Conduct, Medical Authorization & US Waiver Forms found in the Cadets section of the Information Side Bar.