HRRA Novice Program
HRRA rowing programs, and particularly our novice curriculum, follow a progressive theory of learning—we believe novice rowers learn best when they are in a group with similarly skilled participants. This allows our novices to learn at the appropriate pace, focus on the skills they need to get to the next level, and forge relationships through shared experiences with their fellow novices.
Hundreds of Hudson Valley residents have become competent, successful rowers using this method and have moved on to a variety of personalized and fulfilling rowing experiences that have included recreational sculling, racing casually with friends at regattas, coaching their child’s crew team, and winning medals at National and World Championships!
One size does not fit all! Join HRRA and begin your own rowing journey on the Hudson!
Junior Novice/Learn-to-Row Boys & Girls:
Juniors who are entering the 7th grade or higher, learn to row and improve on their completed learn to row 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 summer racing shirt.
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
Adult Novice/Learn-to-Row Program:
Program for all adults over the age of 18 who are new to the sport of rowing. Program covers basic rowing technique, equipment handling, use of ergometers, rowing in the indoor tanks and eventually rowing on the water in sweep rowing boats (one oar per athlete). This is a teaching program, and does not focus on racing skill development. Registration includes participation in one local regatta and a free summer training shirt.
Adult Novice/Learn-to-Row Program - Fall 2025
Program for all adults over the age of 18 who are new to the sport of rowing, which covers basic rowing technique, equipment handling, use of ergometers, rowing in the indoor tanks and eventually rowing on the water in sweep rowing boats (one oar per athlete). This is a teaching program, and does not focus on racing skill development. Registration includes participation in one local regatta and a free racing tank.
Dates: September 3rd - November 3rd
Program Days & Times:
Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday – 5:30pm-7:30pm
Saturday – 7:30am-9:30am
Capacity: 18
Coaches: Emily Luciano (Head Coach), Paul Stasaitis (Assistant Coach)
Rower Fee: $340 Register here.
Coxswain Fee: $0 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.
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.
