Programs
About our programs
Megunticook Rowing offers spring and fall youth programs as well as a full summer program open to all and a commitment to bringing new rowers into the sport. We also offer winter training at the Pen Bay YMCA and weight training for rowers at CJ Strength. See below for more information.
We have programs for youth and adults.
Youth Programs: Spring and Fall
Maintaining and growing our spring and fall youth programs – club and varsity – is the core mission of our group. Students gain so much from rowing: mental and physical discipline, improved communication skills, commitment to teamwork, and the excitement of competition and all experienced on the waters of beautiful Megunticook Lake. Many of our rowers have gone on to row at college programs including Bates, Dartmouth, Connecticut College, George Washington University, Nova Southeast, Simmons, Skidmore, Trinity College, University of California Berkeley, University of Maine and Wesleyan.
General Programs Year Round
The rowing program is filled with coached sessions from Learn to Row, Novice, Intermediate and Competitive levels. You will be coached by experienced, enthusiastic Level 2 certified personnel who understand how to make you faster and help you reach your rowing goals.
Membership
With the exception of Learn to Row, everyone who uses Megunticook Rowing facilities or participates in a coached session must become a member of Megunticook Rowing. Megunticook Rowing memberships are available for the short Maine summer or for the entire year; see our Membership page for more information. Varsity and Club rowers receive a summer membership as part of their participation in the spring and fall programs – no need to sign up separately.
Once you are a member, you may sign up for the coached sessions described below. For summer, coached sessions are available in June, July and August, for Novice, Intermediate, and Competitive skill levels. Coached sessions are paid monthly and priced according to the number of sessions in the month. A “punch card” for single sessions is also available.
Financial aid
The mission of Megunticook Rowing is to strengthen minds, bodies, and communities through rowing. Our goal is to provide the opportunity of rowing to anyone who wishes to, no matter their age, skill level, background, or financial situation. As a very wise person once said, “If everyone was given the opportunity to row, there would be no bad in the world.” All information provided on the application is confidential and will only be reviewed by the Megunticook Rowing Financial Aid Committee.
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coached sessions
2025-26 Coached Sessions
winter training
Keep up your fitness with coached winter training at the Pen Bay YMCA!
Coached sessions available:
- Tuesday and Thursday, 6:00 to 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 to 9:00 a.m.: Erging, calisthenics, and general fitness with coaches Bob Van Twyver and Sam Abbot. Progress towards your 5k or 6k goal for the off-season. All sessions at the Pen Bay YMCA.
- Wednesday 6:00 to 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 to 9:00 a.m.: Improve your flexibility and stretch out with Coach Bob’s “Rowga” sessions. Yoga for rowers is perfect for protecting yourself from injury when pushing hard on the water. All sessions at the Pen Bay YMCA.
Participants (ages 12 and up) in any of our coached sessions must be Megunticook Rowing members. For more information on membership, see our membership page. To become a member, you may register and pay through our rowing app iCrew. If you are already a member, join the Winter Training team and pay for an entire month (unlimited sessions, December and January are open now), or purchase an Indoor Training Punch Card and drop in to the sessions that suit you. Both options are available at the Club Store. The six-session punch card is $90, and the entire month is $175.
Any questions about iCrew please contact Andy Obst.
weight training
Improve your speed and endurance with Weight Training for Rowers at CJ Strength, with coach Dara Zuckernick every Saturday morning at 7 a.m.
Participants (ages 12 and up) in any of our coached sessions must be Megunticook Rowing members. For more information on membership, see our membership page. To become a member, you may register and pay through our rowing app iCrew. If you are already a member, join the Weight Training team and pay for the season (unlimited sessions, every Saturday through the end of February), or purchase a Weight Training Punch Card and drop in to the sessions that suit you. Both options are available at the Club Store. The four-session punch card is $100, and the entire season through the end of February is $300.
Any questions about iCrew please contact Andy Obst.
Novice
Next steps from learn-to-row and for beginner rowers or those with minimal experience. Sessions will be available 3-4 times a week. Watch this space for 2026 schedule details.
intermediate
A rower with a solid grasp of technique and good level of on-the-water experience. Intermediate rowers are refining their skills, improving efficiency, and beginning to focus more on endurance and strength. They can handle a variety of boat classes and can row more independently.
Sessions will be available 3-4 times a week. Watch this space for 2026 schedule details.
Competitive
A highly dedicated program focused on racing and peak performance. Competitive rowers follow rigorous training schedules, and prioritize performance goals. They are proficient in advanced techniques, race strategy, and team dynamics.
Sessions will be available 3-4 times a week. Watch this space for 2026 schedule details.
Youth
varsity program
The varsity rowing team is for experienced high school athletes who want to row at a competitive level, and rowers ages 12+ by coach’s invitation. Practices will be five afternoons per week. The team will travel to regattas in the New England area almost every weekend of the on-water season, with some opportunities for competition further away as well. The program’s focus is on technique enhancement, strength training, and competition. Rowers will have the opportunity to row in different size boats, both sculling and sweep.
Watch this space for registration links, and the spring 2026 schedule and race dates.
club program
Our club rowing program is designed for young rowers who are learning to row. For 2026 we are revamping the program to get rowers on the water safely and as often as possible in a new twin-hull sweep boat called “The Cat.” The program’s focus is an introduction to rowing, building technique and endurance, and enjoying time on the water. The focus is on sweep rowing with a goal of graduating to a novice four or eight at the season-ending Dirigo Sprints in June.
Watch this space for registration links, and the spring 2026 schedule and race dates.
Learn to row
Learn to Row program
Megunticook Rowing’s Learn to Row (LTR) program takes you through a four-class learning experience designed to teach the basics of rowing on the water. This program is open to anyone, 12 years old and up, and no rowing experience is required!
LTR sessions will primarily introduce the sculling style of rowing, where each rower has two oars, one in each hand. LTR includes one land (to practice rowing movement on rowing machines) and three on the water sessions where you will learn:
- Proper rowing technique
- Equipment Handling
- Safety procedures
- Rowing Terminology
Once you complete the Learn to Row program you can become a member of Megunticook Rowing for the discounted rate of $75 for your first summer on the water.
2026 Summer LTR Sessions:
- M, T, W, Th 8:30am to 10:30 am, every week starting early June 2026;
- T, W, Th, F 5:30pm to 7:30pm every other week starting late June 2026 and;
- weekend intensives Sat. and Sun., 10:00am to 12:00pm; and 3:00pm to 5:00pm both days, every other weekend starting late June, 2026.
Please note that our ability to row depends on the weather. If your coach deems the weather conditions unsafe, we will move the session to our indoor facility at the Pen Bay YMCA in Rockport. Refunds will not be offered for sessions that don’t get on the water.
We look forward to seeing you! We hope you learn to love rowing as much as we do!
Any questions, please contact row@megunticookrowing.org.
Watch this space for registration links, and the spring 2026 schedule.
Private lessons
Private lessons for members
We want to teach you how to row on your schedule! Whether you want to learn to row one-on-one or are interested in taking your rowing skills to the next level, our private sessions might be just the ticket. These lessons will be tailored to your skill level, schedule and desires. Let us know what you want to work on!
Participants in any of our coached sessions must be Megunticook Rowing members. For more information on membership, see our membership page. To become a member, you may register and pay through our rowing app iCrew.
To inquire about scheduling a private lesson please email row@megunticookrowing.org and we will connect you with our coaching staff.