High School Development Info

High School Development This program is focused on fine-tuning technique and maintaining fitness. It is designed for rowers who are building a solid foundation in the sport, emphasizing proper form, stroke mechanics, and consistency on the water. The goal is to develop good habits early that will carry athletes forward in their rowing career, while keeping them active and engaged throughout the season.

High Performance This program is designed for athletes who are ready to increase intensity and build on their established base. Rowers in this program have already developed their technique and fitness foundation, and are now focused on pushing their limits — through harder training, higher volume, and more competitive preparation. The emphasis shifts from learning the basics to maximizing performance and racing readiness.

Sweep rowing is a style of rowing in which each rower uses one oar held with both hands, rowing on either the port (right) or starboard (left) side of the boat (rower perspective).

Because each rower only pulls on one side, sweep boats require paired or even numbers of rowers to keep the boat balanced. Common sweep boat types include:

• Pair (2-) — two rowers, one on each side

• Four (4-) — four rowers, two on each side

• Eight (8+) — eight rowers, four on each side, plus a coxswain

The coxswain (cox) is a non-rowing member who steers the boat and coordinates the crew, and is most commonly found in sweep rowing.

Sweep rowing is often considered more of a team-focused discipline, since each rower depends heavily on their partner(s) on the opposite side to maintain balance and timing. It is the most common style seen in high school and collegiate rowing programs.

Sculling is a style of rowing in which each rower uses two oars (one in each hand), as opposed to sweep rowing where each rower holds a single oar with both hands.

In sculling, the rower controls both sides of the boat simultaneously, requiring strong coordination and balance. It can be done in three common boat types:

• Single (1x) — one rower, two oars

• Double (2x) — two rowers, each with two oars

• Quad (4x) — four rowers, each with two oars

Sculling is often considered a more individual and technical form of rowing, and is commonly used in both recreational and elite competition, including the Olympics.