Rowers
Riverside practices sweep rowing: each rower handles one oar on one side of the boat. The team primarily races boats with four or eight rowers. Athletes learn to match their timing and technique so the crew moves as one.
New to Crew?
Your Start at Riverside Crew.
A new sport. A shared challenge. A place on the team. Get to know rowing and what a season with Riverside looks like—for athletes and families alike.
Find your place
No rowing experience required.
Riverside Crew is a competitive varsity club sport for Riverside High School students in grades 9–12. Beginners learn the fundamentals together, with coaches helping them develop technique, fitness and confidence.
Bring a willingness to learn, work hard and support your teammates. Tryouts and boat assignments are competitive, and consistent effort matters throughout the season.
One boat. Different roles.
Rowers and coxswains pull together.
Coxswains
The coxswain steers the boat, gives commands and helps the crew execute its race strategy. This essential role combines leadership, communication and awareness of the boat and course.
Understand the commitment
A season built on showing up.
Spring is the primary racing season. Plan for weekday practices, Saturday practices before racing begins, and Saturday regattas during the racing season. A typical spring practice runs Monday–Friday from about 5 p.m. until sunset; coaches communicate the season’s confirmed schedule and any changes.
Training throughout the year
Summer and fall opportunities combine on-water practice with indoor training at Maverick Rowing. Fall can also include longer-distance races. Winter conditioning builds fitness and technique indoors ahead of the spring season.
Plan ahead for spring break
The team’s spring-break training is required and includes two sessions a day. Attendance is prioritized when coaches make racing assignments.
Rowing takes sustained conditioning. Offseason training helps athletes arrive ready to learn, compete and contribute to their boat.
Getting to the water
Practice, carpools and race days.
On-water practice
Algonkian Regional Park
47001 Fairway Drive, Sterling, VA 20165
Spring practices are typically on the water here. Weather or water conditions can move training indoors.
Indoor training
Maverick Rowing
43465 Riverpoint Drive, Lansdowne, VA 20176
Indoor sessions support conditioning and rowing technique when the team is off the water.
Families arrange transportation to and from practices. Carpools are encouraged and can be coordinated with other families at the preseason parent meeting.
For Sandy Run regattas, the team provides athlete buses. After racing, athletes help unload the trailer and rig boats at Algonkian before heading home. Follow the team’s race-day instructions for departure and pickup times.
Your first regatta
Race schedules are called heat sheets and are usually available a day or two before racing. Wear comfortable walking shoes: the route to the Sandy Run grandstands includes a hilly, uneven half-mile wooded path. Cell service can be unreliable, so save or print the schedule before leaving home.
A family commitment
Supporting the season, together.
Riverside Crew is self-funded and receives no school or district funding. Dues and fundraising support the coaching, equipment and operations that put athletes on the water.
What dues support
Season dues cover coaching and equipment, indoor training, regatta entries, transportation to Sandy Run, team uniform and apparel, race-day hospitality and the athlete banquet. Crew jackets and postseason regattas are additional expenses.
Check the current registration materials for the season’s dues, payment plans, deadlines and refund policy.
Every family has a role
Families are expected to volunteer at least twice during the season. Opportunities include regatta support and team events; no rowing experience is needed. Families also help with transportation and fundraising.
Attend the preseason parent meeting to learn the season plan and connect with other families.
Take the next step
Ready to give crew a try?
Start with the Join page for school clearance, team registration, tryouts and the new-athlete swim test. Both the school and team requirements must be completed before participation.
Already on the team? Family Resources connects you with team communications, the calendar and season essentials.