Youth PROGRAM

Elevate Your Skills on our High School and Middle School Teams

Level-up with NPBRC

At NPBRC, we believe the discipline, commitment, and resilience cultivated through rowing extend far beyond the water.

Young athletes quickly learn that the effort required to meet rowing’s demands—embracing its challenges, striving for technical excellence, and pushing through setbacks—builds confidence and perseverance that apply to all areas of life.
 
Most of all, rowing teaches the power of true teamwork. The shared pursuit of a common goal fosters a unique sense of camaraderie among rowers, creating some of their most meaningful memories and lifelong friendships. Our Youth Team Program welcomes athletes from middle and high schools throughout the area and offers a competitive racing experience at regattas across the state, region, and nation. The program runs throughout the full academic year, encompassing both the fall (head racing) and spring (sprint racing) seasons culminating in the Florida State Championships.
YOUTH TEAM TRAINING GROUPS
GRADES 6-12
At North Palm Beach Rowing Club, we offer training groups to support youth athletes at every stage of their rowing journey. Whether you’re brand new to the sport or training to compete at the national level, there’s a place for you on our team. Regardless of training group, we focus on a culture of discipline, leadership, and teamwork, pushing each athlete to reach their own full potential.

Check back for our Youth Learn to Row programs this summer

Varsity Team

6 DAYS A WEEK
Our Varsity Team is designed for experienced and committed high school athletes who are striving to race at the highest level. Rowers in this group are expected to attend 90–100% of on-water practices (six days per week) and complete approximately three additional independent land workouts (1–2 hours each) per week. Attendance at all scheduled regattas, including regional, state, and national events, is required.

Athletes in this program demonstrate advanced technical skills, strong physical conditioning, and a high level of dedication both on and off the water. Training emphasizes speed, endurance, and efficiency, supported by individualized coaching, video analysis, and performance tracking. Placement is determined through a combination of coach evaluation, erg scores (2k and 6k), race results, and consistent effort. Many pursue collegiate rowing opportunities.

Junior Varsity Team

6 DAYS A WEEK
The JV Team is designed for select middle and high school rowers with 1–2 years of experience who are continuing to build strength, technique, and endurance. This program bridges the gap between novice and varsity levels, focusing on refining stroke mechanics, improving fitness, and developing consistency on the water. Athletes gain experience in both sweep and sculling, while learning race strategy, teamwork, and training discipline.

Rowers typically attend 50–75% of on-water practices and are encouraged to complete one additional land erg session per week. Coaches monitor 2k and 6k performance and provide personalized feedback to support advancement. Select regatta participation is based on athlete readiness and coach recommendation, preparing rowers for more competitive opportunities as they grow in confidence and skill.

High School Novice Team

3 DAYS A WEEK
The High School Team is designed for athletes in grades 9–12 and practices three days per week. This program introduces new rowers (less than one year of experience) to the sport while building a strong foundation in technique, fitness, and teamwork. Athletes learn the fundamentals of sweep and sculling, boat handling, rowing terminology, and on-water safety, all in a supportive and structured environment. The focus is on developing proper form, physical conditioning, and training habits that prepare athletes for future advancement.

With consistent attendance, effort, and a positive attitude, rowers may be eligible to move into the Junior Varsity team mid-season based on a coach’s evaluation. This program is ideal for high school students looking to try a new sport, build confidence, and become part of a motivated team.

Middle School Team

3 DAYS A WEEK
The Middle School Team is designed for athletes grades 6-8. With three practices per week, this program introduces athletes to the fundamentals of the sport, including basic rowing technique, boat handling, terminology, and teamwork. The focus is on developing proper form, coordination, and foundational fitness in a fun and supportive environment.

Rowers may also have the opportunity to race locally, gaining valuable experience as they begin their rowing journey.

Please bring/wear for practice every day
  • Close-fitting workout clothes (bright hi-vis colored shirt) and socks for rowing. (Yellow hi-vis NPBRC shirts are sold for $20 each)
  • Refillable plastic water bottle. No metal water bottles are allowed inside the boats.
  • Sneakers for land work outs
  • Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Visor or cap – optional
  • Slides or flip flops for beach launch – optional
  • Extra change of clothes (for after practice and/or if they fall in water)
  • Medical prescriptions if needed for athletic activities (ie, inhalers). Please inform coaches.

youth team achievements

Rowing Seasons at NPBRC

At North Palm Beach Rowing Club, our Youth Team trains across three main seasons, each designed to build skill, strength, and racing experience.

FALL SEASON

Mid-August to Mid-November
Our Fall season focuses on foundational fitness and racing prep. This season is a great entry point for rowers looking to build endurance and technique.

The regattas are usually Head races about 2.5-3 miles long and the boats are started in their respective divisions separately at intervals (usually 10-15 seconds). They are usually conducted on a river with an assortment of bridges and turns that can make passing quite interesting. The winner is the crew that had the shortest elapsed time between the start and finish lines, with any additional time included for penalties.

SPRING SEASON

Late January to end-April
Spring is our primary racing season. This season emphasizes speed, teamwork, and peak performance leading into key regattas. It's the most intensive and competitive stretch of the year with more regattas.

National, collegiate, worlds, and Olympic sprint competitions are 2,000 meters, or approximately 1.25 miles. The racecourse is divided into 6-8 lanes and each 500-meter section is marked with buoys. Masters races are typically 1,000 meters. Often, scholastic or junior races are 1,500 meters.

POST-SEASON

May to mid-June
Post-season training is by coach invitation only and is designed for athletes competing at regional and national-level regattas. This elite group focuses on advanced performance and race readiness beyond the regular season.

ROWING IN COLLEGE

North Palm Beach Rowing Club is proud to celebrate our youth alumni who have earned the opportunity to compete at the collegiate level. Their dedication, resilience, and passion for the sport have propelled them to the next stage of their rowing journey, and we couldn’t be more excited to watch them represent both their universities and our club with pride. These athletes have not only demonstrated exceptional performance on the water but have also exemplified leadership, teamwork, and sportsmanship throughout their time at NPBRC.
College Commitments have included:
  • Boston University
  • Brown University
  • Duke University
  • Georgetown University
  • Harvard University
  • MIT
  • Northeastern University
  • Stetson University
  • Trinity University
  • University of California San Diego
  • University of Notre Dame
  • University of Oklahoma
  • University of Pennsylvania
  • University of Texas
  • University of Wisconsin
  • Vanderbilt University
  • West Point
  • West Virginia
We congratulate each of these student-athletes and look forward to following their continued success at the collegiate level.
As a not-for-profit organization, your contribution may be tax-deductible.
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