HRRA Juniors Program
Our Junior programs are designed to address three philosophies.
- By creating composite teams, we can match the best athletes from varied programs and put together top-rated teams that represent the best the Hudson Valley has to offer.
- Melding traditional rivals during the scholastic seasons into composite boats, we create a sense of regional rowing pride.
- Providing extensive access to expanded coaching ideas and experiences makes our regional scholastic teams stronger and prepares them for success at the collegiate level.
We address each of these philosophies by providing Learn-to-Row and Novice teams, skill building and water time for intermediate athletes, and intensive training and technique work for advanced rowers. Each HRRA athlete shares their experience with teammates and coaches of other teams and creates new experiences to take back to their scholastic teams, tightening that connection and helping to create our rowing community.
PLEASE READ:
- All athletes must have current basic US Rowing Membership ($25) and a valid US Rowing Waiver, for the entirety of the season (Sept. 3–Nov. 3). Affiliate your USRowing account with HRRA, using the club code H9RR4.
- ALL Junior and Adult participants MUST be able to swim 50 yards, tread water for 10 minutes, and put on a life jacket while in the water. You will need to attest via signed form that you are able to do this.
- HRRA program and race fees do NOT include uniforms, hotels, traveling expenses, or USRowing memberships (when applicable). Athletes are responsible for these additional expenses. HRRA does not provide adult chaperones for unaccompanied minors.
REGARDING PROGRAM PLACEMENT:
- The first week of the fall program for Junior Advanced Boys & Girls teams will be a TRY OUT period. In order to have a well prepared and competitive junior advanced team for the fall season races, coaches will be evaluating ALL athletes registering for the advanced teams. Those who are chosen for the Advanced Racing team must fully commit to all practices, to being punctual, and to giving it your all. If an athlete is not at the level needed for advanced competition, he/she will be moved to another program.
- Each program (other than novice) has a prerequisite. There are occasions when an athlete’s skill level may not match the program for which he or she is registered. In order for the athlete and team to be successful, a coach may recommend that an athlete is put into a more advanced program or taken out of a more rigorous program to further develop skills. In such a case, you may incur an additional expense or a refund of a program cost difference.
Junior Winter Training:
Pre-Winter Training time will consist of erging, tank rowing, functional weight lifting, and bodyweight workouts. Head Coach/Asst. Coach: Em Luciano/Jillian Cidras. A $30 discount will be given if you are registering for both Pre-Winter AND Winter Training.
Junior Pre-Winter Training - 2025
Pre-Winter Junior Training
Dates: December 1st - 18th
Price: $100 - Register here
Practice Days & Times:
UPDATED: Boys and Girls combined sessions: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday: 4:30-6:00pm
Junior Winter Training - 2026
Regular Junior Winter Training Program
Dates: January 5th - February 19th
Price: $200.00 - Register here
Practice Days & Times:
Girls: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday: 4:30-6:00pm
Boys: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday: 6:00-7:30pm
Junior Advanced Boys & Girls:
The Advanced Junior Sweeps Program is open to rowers who are rising sophomores, juniors and seniors, and those who have just graduated high school. Rowers should have competitive racing experience at the JV or Varsity level, or have the recommendation of a coach.
This is a competitive program which focuses on how to train, increasing the athlete’s technical skill set, and learning how to prepare physically and mentally for national competition. Registration includes participation in one local regatta and free racing tank.
Dates: September 3rd – November 3rd
Program Days & Times:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday – 5:30-7:30pm
Saturday – 7:30am – 9:00am
Capacity: 18 Boys, 24 Girls
Rower Fee: $625 – Register here.
Coxswain Fee: $25 – Register here.
Mandatory: US Rowing Membership ($25) Register here.
All athletes are required to have current basic US Rowing Membership ($25) and a valid US Rowing Waiver. The club code for HRRA is H9RR4. Click the link to check your status or join.
Coaches:
Boys: Kevin Pioti and Dominic Scecchitano
Girls: Liz Schlusser and Andrew Runne
Regatta Racing Dates:
- Head of the Hudson – Info
- Sunday, September 21
- Albany, NY
- Mohawk Fall Classic – Info
- Sunday, September 28
- Scotia NY
- Poughkeepsie Regatta – Info
- Saturday, October 4
- Poughkeepsie, NY
- Head of the Riverfront – Info
- Sunday, October 5
- Hartford, CT
- Head of the Passaic – Info
- Sunday, October 12
- Passaic, NJ
- Head of the Charles – team determined after tryouts – Info
- Sunday, October 17
- Boston, MA
- Head of the Fish – Info
- Saturday and Sunday, October 25 and 26
- Saratoga, NY
For away regattas race fees are additional. Transportation, room and board are are the responsibility of the athlete’s family.
Junior Intermediate Boys & Girls:
The Junior Intermediate Sweeps program is designed for rowers who have completed two novice seasons through HRRA or through their scholastic team, or upon approval of the coach. The program will work on further developing their technical skills and endurance. Registration includes participation in one local regatta and free racing tank.
Dates: September 3rd – November 3rd
Program Days & Times:
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday – 5:30-7:30pm
Capacity: 36
Rower Fee: $470 – Register here.
Coxswain Fee: $25 – Register here.
Mandatory: US Rowing Membership ($25) Register here.
All athletes are required to have current basic US Rowing Membership ($25) and a valid US Rowing Waiver. The club code for HRRA is H9RR4. Click the link to check your status or join.
Coaches: Megan Smith and Sarah Ruvo
Registration includes participation in one local regatta:
- Poughkeepsie Regatta – Info
- Saturday, October 4
- Poughkeepsie, NY
Junior Novice/Learn-to-Row Boys & Girls:
Juniors who are entering the 7th grade or higher learn to row and improve on their skills in eight oared shells on the Hudson! Athletes learn safety, technique, how to handle boats, steer the boats and basic race skills.
Registration includes participation in one local regatta and free racing tank.
Junior Novice/Learn-to-Row Program - Fall 2025
Dates: September 3rd - November 3rd
Program Days & Times: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday – 5:30-7:30pm
Capacity: 18
Rower Fee: $320 - Register here.
Coxswain Fee: $25 - Register here.
Mandatory: US Rowing Membership ($25) Register here.
All athletes are required to have current basic US Rowing Membership ($25) and a valid US Rowing Waiver. The club code for HRRA is H9RR4. Click the link to check your status or join.
Coaches: Victoria Lawrence
Participants will compete in:
- Poughkeepsie Regatta - Info
- Saturday, October 4
- Poughkeepsie, NY
All athletes must have a Basic USRowing Membership ($25) and an online waiver completed. If you have already paid the membership under a different club name you must log in to the USRowing portal and add Hudson River Rowing Association to your club affiliations by the first day of practice.
- The HRRA code is H9RR4 and the online waiver link is HERE.
HRRA Program and race fees do not include uniform, hotel, traveling expenses, or USRowing membership (when applicable). Athletes are responsible for these additional expenses. HRRA does not provide adult chaperones for unaccompanied minors.
Please note the following NEW REQUIREMENTS:
- ALL Junior Novice and Intermediate participants MUST take a swim test if they did NOT participate in a scholastic team during the 2024 Spring scholastic season. Test requirements are that you swim 50 yards, tread water for 10 minutes, and put on a life jacket while in the water. SWIM TEST DAY & TIME TBD.
- ALL Adult Participants will need to attest via signed form that you are able to swim 50 yards, tread water for 10 minutes, and put on a life jacket while in the water.
Regarding Program Placement:
- Each program (other than novice) has a prerequisite, however there are occasions when an athlete’s skill level may not match the program for which he or she is registered. In order for the athlete and team to be successful, a coach may recommend that an athlete is put into a more advanced program or taken out of a more rigorous program to further develop skills. In such a case, you may incur an additional expense or a refund of a program cost difference.
