indoor rowing INFO

Hello PVRC youth and masters rowers! ICYMI (in case you missed it), winter season signup is now live on the website with a start date set for 11/17!

https://www.pvriverfront.org/adult-rowing

https://www.pvriverfront.org/youth-rowing

Here's a high level overview of what to expect this year:

This winter is designed as a 13 week season and based on a tried and true "base" training plan of four sessions per week.

The plan is targeted toward the average person who is seeking meaningful improvement to their rowing skill and fitness this winter, who plans to row and potentially race in the spring. It can be adapted and successfully used by folks just looking for general fitness who don't want to/aren't sure about racing, as well folks looking to race more competitively.

The plan is also designed to create consistency and routine to carry you through the winter. With the right input from you, following the plan will help our teams arrive faster and stronger in the spring. This is important for all of our athletes, but especially for juniors who race very early in the spring season and will not be able to gain significant fitness between the start of spring season and the earliest races. 

The season will generally be divided into 3 phases of development, and within those phases each week will be structured as 2-3 days of erging and 1-2 days of strength and conditioning (at least one of which will be with Coach Greg). We will also be mixing in activities such as targeted core work, yoga, boxing, time at the indoor rowing tanks, and indoor pool flip clinics for more experienced scullers. 

Prerequisites:

The primary prerequisite for this winter session is that athletes possess a growth-mindset and have a willingness to learn and challenge themselves each session. Staying the same speed week after week won't be an option-- if you attend regularly you will get stronger and faster! 

Adult rowers must have completed at least a Learn to a Row class (see below if you have not). Youth athletes do not need to have rowing experience.

Attendance: 

I understand that-- at least for the masters-- this 4 day plan is a departure from our usual winter structure. I also know that both youth and adults will, at times, want or need to do more/less than 4 days. That is okay! Attendance is not required at every session. 

That said, rowing is an activity where you get in what you put out. Athletes seeking meaningful self-improvement should aim to complete at least 3, if not all 4, of the workouts per week. At minimum, two of those sessions should be on the erg. 

Less regular attendance, consistently missing the same day of the week each week, or regularly skipping more than one erg session per week will result in slow or stagnant progress. If you aren't sure if you/your kiddo's schedule will work with the session schedules below, please talk to us-- we want our athlete's to have a successful winter! Email rowingdirector@pvrowing.org with your schedule concerns/limitations and we will help figure out if and how we can make winter training successful for you. 

Masters schedule:

Participants may choose their 4 workout sessions from 6 weekly time slots. We are offering these extra slots in an effort to accommodate a wider variety of schedules, as well as a trial for offering morning sessions in the future. 

Workout 1: Monday 6-7:30pm (with Julie or Madison) or Tuesday 6-7:30am (with HB)

Workout 2: Wednesday 6-7:30pm (with Coach Greg or possibly an uncoached makeup workout, as space allows)

Workout 3: Thursday 6-7:30am (with HB) or Friday 6-7:30am (with Julie or Madison)

Workout 4: Saturday 8-9:30am (with Julie or Madison)

Special Additional Dates: 

Saturdays 8:00-9:15am in Deerfield for indoor rowing tanks, on 12/13, 1/10, 1/31

Thursday evenings in Springfield for sculling flip clinic, on 1/15 and 2/5

Saturday 2/14 - PVRC Ergatta

Youth Schedule: 

Monday, Tuesday, Friday 3:30-5:30 (with Coach Isabelle, Julie, or Madison) 

Wednesday 3:30-5:30 (with Coach Greg)

Special Additional Dates:

Saturdays 9:15-10:30am in Deerfield for indoor rowing tanks, on 12/13, 1/10, 1/31

Saturday 2/14 - PVRC Ergatta

New rowers: 

We will be offering two, 3 week sessions (6 lessons) of Learn To Row this winter. Sessions begin 12/1/25 and 1/5/26 and are held Monday and Wednesday, 6-7:30pm. Attendance at most sessions is strongly encouraged.

Participants who complete the first session of Learn to Row will be able to join our masters/experienced indoor rowing sessions partway through the season. In an effort to keep the class progressing and building positive momentum, we are discouraging late enrollment after that point. 

Participants who complete the second session will be well-prepared to join our spring Learn to Row sessions on the water.

Additionally, we are offering four free, one hour open house days this winter where members of the public can come check out the boathouse and receive an erg lesson. The sessions will be the first Saturday of the month: Dec 6, Jan 3, Feb 7, Mar 7. Registration on our website is encouraged.

In closing....

More detailed information about the training plan, including details of the macro and microcycles, and considerations for athletes who want to do more sessions or cannot always do 4 sessions to follow at a later date.

For now, please get registered! Sessions begin Monday 11/17. 

Still on the fence? We strongly encourage you to register and come to the first few sessions.

If you have any questions, please email them to rowingdirector@pvrowing.org.