Youth Rowing

We believe that our youth rowing programs foster positive and cooperative relationships between kids from all walks of life and supports development of life-long leadership, personal accountability and team-building skills. Rowing is the platform for personal growth, self expression and the exploration of the body and mind in a supportive and team oriented environment. We think that no other athletic endeavor for kids is as effective in combining these facets of personal growth so intimately or compellingly.

Find the right program for you

Recreational Programs are for ages 12-18. Learn to Row Sweeps and Learn to Scull are introductory noncompetitive classes in which participants have an opportunity to try rowing in a fun and safe environment. Once rowers complete Learn to Row Sweeps or Scull, they can continue in the Youth Crew League (Winter/Fall/Spring) or Summer Recreation.

Competitive Programs are for ages 13 to 19: The Competitive Boys and Competitive Girls teams require no previous rowing experience. Kids from the recreational program are encouaraged to continue their rowing careers as well as athletes who have never taken a stroke (rec program rowing is not a pre-requisite for tryouts). The teams host tryouts in the fall and spring for Novice rowing—the first year of competitive rowing for all rowers. RowBoston is CRI's scholastic rowing team for high school and middle school students in Boston Public Schools.

Youth Learn to Row - Spring/Fall

Youth Learn to Row Sweeps and Youth Learn to Scull are offered spring, summer and fall. They are introductory, coed, non-competitive programs offering youth aged 12 to 18 a chance to try the sport of rowing. Participants are introduced to the basics of the sport in a fun, engaging, safe environment. After Learn to Row Sweeps or Learn to Scull, rowers may progress to Crew League (spring/fall) or Skills Development (summer).

Crew League - Spring/Fall/Winter

Youth Crew League is a recreational, noncompetitive, coed program for rowers who have completed either Youth Learn to Row Sweeps or Youth Learn to Scull. Crew League builds upon and continues to develop and refine the basic skills acquired in Learn to Row Sweep and Learn to Scull.

Youth Recreational Programs - Summer

CRI offers two youth recreational summer programs - Sweeps and Sculling. Sculling is rowing in a single rowing shell, holding an oar in each hand. Sweeps is rowing in a boat with other rowers, holding one oar with both hands.

Competitive Youth - Fall/Winter/Spring

CRI Youth Competitive Rowing sets an unparalleled standard for personal and physical development. Rowers learn the art of rowing while developing life-long skills of accountability, leadership and teamwork.

Competitive Youth - Summer

Selected athletes will train through the summer, improving their rowing skills and fitness.

RowBoston - High School Rowing

RowBoston is the scholastic rowing team for high school and middle school students in Boston Public Schools. The team rows out of the Harry Parker Boathouse at 20 Nonantum Road, Brighton, under a larger organization: Community Rowing, Inc.

Development Program - Fall/Winter/Spring

The development program is for high school athletes with rowing experience who aspire to row competitively. The focus is on fitness, strength and mobility, and technical skills, with an eye toward future tryouts. Lead coaches work closely with their competitive team counterparts to develop a training plan and track the progress of each athlete over the course of the season.

Learn more about our Summer Development Programs.

Development Program - Summer

The CRI Summer Development Program aims to prepare high-school aged athletes (rising freshmen and above) for varsity tryouts and more competitive rowing endeavors.