The Thunder Junior Rowing Programs
The Thunder Junior Rowing programs at the John M.S. Lecky UBC Boathouse are designed to follow the stages of Canadian Sport for Life’s Long Term Athlete Development Model. For this reason, the Junior program is divided into four separate teams, each training to meet slightly different goals, and aimed at athletes of varying rowing experience and ability. The purpose of each of our teams is outlined below. For all of our programs, we strive to make sure that every athlete who ever comes across the sport of rowing, falls in love with it, and will never want to quit! For questions about our programs not answered below, please contact programs@ubcboathouse.com or 604-827-2011.
Our year-round teams (Development, Intermediate, and Competitive) have their programs divided into seasons:
- Fall Season (Sept-Nov; starts with school)
- Winter Season 1 (Nov-Jan)
- Winter Season 2 (Feb-Mar; includes spring break camps for Int and Comp teams)
- Spring Season (Apr-Jun; ends with school)
- Summer Season 1 (July)
- Summer Season 2 (August)
Program/Team Progression
These program are a prerequisite to joining the Junior Development Team, and provide an opportunity to learn the basics of rowing. Learn to Row is offered in the Fall & Winter, while the Fast Track Program is perfect for those who want to get started in rowing without waiting for a spring break or summer fast track camp.
- Register for the Fast Track Rowing Program
The Junior Development Rowing Program is geared for youth wishing to further their rowing with the goal of increasing their rowing skills (sculling and sweeping) and building the strength and endurance necessary to progress into the Junior Intermediate Rowing Program. This program is designed to meet the outcomes of the Learn to Train stage of Canadian Sport for Life’s Long Term Athlete Development Model. Youth are coached and guided based on their personal needs and skill assessments are performed at regular intervals to help youth set goals, achieve results and ultimately achieve success in the sport of rowing. The Development program runs year round and is comprised of both on and off water training.
The Junior Intermediate Rowing Program is intended for youth who have shown that they have mastered the basic technique of both sculling and sweeping in quads and eights, and are ready to move on to rowing in small boats and to begin racing. This program is designed to meet the outcomes of the Train to Train stage of Canadian Sport for Life’s Long Term Athlete Development Model. This program aims to develop boat competency in small boats for rowers who are ready to start competing, but still need a little more experience and practice before being ready for the more demanding practice and racing schedule of the Competitive teams. The Intermediate program runs year round and is comprised of both on and off water training.
The Junior Competitive Rowing Program is geared for youth that have met the skill assessment requirements and are committed to training at a competitive level. Youth are required to attend all practice sessions and are accountable to their team mates in training. This program is designed to meet the outcomes of the Train to Compete/Learn to Compete stage of Canadian Sport for Life’s Long Term Athlete Development Model. This program aims to develop competent rowers who can race in a variety of sculling boats to achieve success at local and national regattas while also allowing athletes the opportunity to continue improving sweeping skills such that they will be well prepared when they try out for University rowing teams in the future.
The Junior Competitive programs will race at many regattas over the year, including, but not limited to: Head of the Fraser (October), Deep Cove Classic Regatta (October), Head of the Gorge/Head of the Elk (October), Head of the Lake (November), Beat the Beast Indoor Rowing Championships (February), Head Up The Creek (March), Brentwood Scholastic Regatta (April), Shawnigan Lake Regatta (May), Delta Deas Scholastic Regatta (May), CSSRA Regatta (May), Midsummer Madness (June), BC Championships (July), Royal Canadian Henley (August).