Programs

About our programs

Megunticook Rowing is a small but mighty organization, with 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 for 2024 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 2024, 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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Learn to row

Learn to Row program

Megunticook Rowing’s Learn to Row program takes you through a four-class learning experience designed to teach the basics of rowing on the water. You will work in a small group with four rowers and two coaches. No rowing experience is required!

In these programs we focus on a type of rowing called sculling, which is rowing with two oars, one in each hand. You will be rowing in a boat called a single rowing shell. This means that you will be the only person in a boat. Our learn-to-row shells are designed for beginner rowers and are a great way to learn the basics of rowing.

This program is open to anyone with no previous rowing experience, 12 years old and up.

Once you complete the Learn to Row program you can become a member of Megunticook Rowing and will be qualified to sign up for our full schedule of coached Novice programs offered throughout the summer.

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 MRC (535 West Street, Rockport, Maine 04856).  Refunds will not be offered for sessions when we don’t get on the water.

We will offer two Learn To Row sessions in September: 9/3-9/6 and 9/9-9/12. All sessions start at 5:15 p.m.

 

coached sessions

2024 Coached Sessions

Competitive

Megunticook Rowing’s Competitive Rowing program is designed for advanced rowers who have been rowing for 4+ years and who are focused on training to compete.

We will be rowing a variety of shells with the emphasis being on small sculling boats, training for the fall head racing season. The program assumes all rowers will be able to keep a competitive pace and schedule. All rowers in this session will need to get the Head Coach’s permission to join.

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. If you are already a member, join the Competitive team for the month(s) you want to row by visiting the Club Store. You can also purchase a 5-session pass for $100.

Competitive sessions and prices:

(price covers all coached sessions)

  • September-October ($450): Morning and evening sessions 9/3-10/25. See schedule for details.
    Masters Combined Skill

    Megunticook Rowing’s Masters Combined Skill program is designed for masters rowers who have passed the skills test and are looking for coaching without the intensity of race training. Coaches will be available for safety and technical advice. We will be rowing a variety of shells with the emphasis being on small sculling boats. The program will group rowers according to skill. This program is open to rowers, with previous rowing experience, ages 12-100.

    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. If you are already a member, join the Intermediate team for the month(s) you want to row by visiting the Club Store. You can also purchase a 5-session pass for $100.

    Combined Skill sessions and prices:

    (choose any three of the five sessions a week)

    • September-October ($350): Morning and evening sessions 9/3-10/25. See schedule for 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 mornings per week, plus two optional afternoon training sessions. 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. The focus will be on sculling with possible sweep rowing as well, and rowers will have the opportunity to row in different size boats. The fall 2024 season starts September 3rd with a pre-season week starting Monday August 26th. To participate, register here for boys’ varsity or here for girls’ varsity.

     

    club program

    Our club rowing program is designed for rowers 12-18 who are learning to row, or rowers who prefer a more relaxed, noncompetitive schedule. The practices are three afternoons each week. 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. The fall 2024 season starts September 3; to participate register here.

    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.