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 have a full erg gym for winter training and organized group erg programs.
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 on beautiful Megunticook Lake.
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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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. To participate, rowers must have an account in iCrew and pay the associated fee, or apply for financial aid. If you are a new user, sign up here:
- Boys Varsity New Rower Registration
- Girls Varsity New Rower Registration
- New Parent Registration (allows parents to pay fees on behalf of their child)
If you have rowed with us in the past and already have an account in iCrew, you may sign up from the club home page in iCrew:
On the Club Home page, scroll down to find the team you want to join and pay for.
Below is the tentative spring 2025 schedule and competitive season dates.
- August 3 – Registration Opens
- August 13 – 5:30pm at Barrett’s Cove – Team wide orientation meeting for parents and rowers. Pizza provided. Bring a friend(s) that may be interested in joining!
- August 18 – Pre-season practices begin, 6-8:00 a.m., Monday-Friday at Barrett’s Cove.
- September 2 – Regular season begins with afternoon practices 3:45 – 6:15 p.m., Monday–Friday at Barrett’s Cove.
Tentative Varsity Race/Event Schedule:
- Megunticook Regatta September 6
- Other dates TBD, will include Textile (Lowell, Mass.), New Hampshire State Championships, and others.
Cost: $700 per rower for the fall season. Includes regatta fees and all training sessions, year round membership to Megunticook Rowing giving rowers access to club equipment and programs during the summer. Does not include travel and accommodations expenses associated with regattas.
Contact Will Schaetzke for more information.
Inquire about the Varsity program
Enter your contact information below and we will be in touch about registering for the season.
club program
Club program rowers will join the Varsity rowers for spring 2025. Our club rowing program is designed for rowers 12-18 who are learning to row, or rowers who prefer a more relaxed, noncompetitive schedule. Middle school-aged rowers will need a coaches’ signoff to participate and will practice with the Varsity rowers. The program’s focus is an introduction to rowing, building technique and endurance, and enjoying time on the water. There will be an attempt to provide a broad exposure to rowing in different size boats. The focus will be on sculling (one hand on each oar) with possible exposure to sweep rowing (two hands on one oar) as well.
Contact Will Schaetzke to register.
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 $50 for your first summer on the water.
2025 Summer LTR Sessions:
- M, T, W, Tr 8:30am to 10:30 am, every week starting June 9, 2025;
- T, W, Tr, Fr 5:30pm to 7:30pm every other week starting June 17, 2025 and;
- weekend intensives Sat. and Sun., 10:00am to 12:00pm; and 3:00pm to 5:00pm both days, every other weekend starting June 21, 2025.
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 PenBay 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.
coached sessions
2025 Coached Sessions
Novice
Segue from learn-to-row and for beginner rowers or those with minimal experience.
Coached sessions available:
- Monday & Wednesday – 8:30am to 10:30am
- Tuesday (with Intermediate rowers)– 5:30pm to 7:30pm
- Saturday & Sunday, every other week – (Open Row/all levels) – 7:30am to 9:30am
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 Novice team and pay for the entire month (unlimited sessions), or purchase a Punch Card and drop in to the sessions that suit you. Both options are available at the Club Store. The 5-session pass is $100, and the entire month is $150.
Any questions about iCrew please contact Evan Waters.
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.
Coached sessions available:
- Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (with Advanced rowers) – 6:00am to 8:00am
- Tuesday (with Novice rowers) & Wednesday – 5:30pm to 7:30pm
- Saturday (Open Row/all levels) – 7:30am to 9:30am
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 Competitive/Advanced team and pay for the entire month (unlimited sessions), or purchase a Punch Card and drop in to the sessions that suit you. Both options are available at the Club Store. The 5-session pass is $100, and the entire month is $350.
Any questions about iCrew please contact Evan Waters.
advanced
Advanced rowers may be aspiring competitors that train consistently, often independently or in performance-focused crews, and have a deeper understanding of stroke mechanics and training principles.
Coached sessions available:
- Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (with Intermediate rowers) – 6:00am to 8:00am
- Tuesday, Thursday (with Competitive rowers) – 5:30-7:30
- Thursday – 5:30pm to 7:30pm
- Saturday – (Open Row/all levels) – 7:30am to 9:30am
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 Competitive/Advanced team and pay for the entire month (unlimited sessions), or purchase a Punch Card and drop in to the sessions that suit you. Both options are available at the Club Store. The 5-session pass is $100, and the entire month is $350.
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.
Coached sessions available:
- Monday through Friday – 5:30am to 7:30am
- Saturday – (Open Row/all levels) – 7:30am to 9:30am
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 team that best suits your goals. Pay for your sessions by purchasing a Punch Card or the entire month at the Club Store. The 5-session pass is $100, and the entire month is $350.
Any questions about iCrew please contact Evan Waters.
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.