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JUNIOR ROWING

JOIN our PURSUIT for EXCELLENCE 

The mission of the Juniors Program is to continue the legacy of developing highly skilled and competitive rowers through community education and training in the art of rowing. Marin Rowing Association draws from schools all over the Bay Area to represent and race for Marin at the Regional and National levels. Since 1968, the Marin Juniors have earned 24 National Championship medals, over 30 Regional team titles, and hold seven world records.

The club’s focus on developing youth rowers has consistently resulted in nationally competitive athletes who continue their rowing careers far beyond Marin. Our athletes have found great success on the U-19, U-23, collegiate, and elite levels.

MRA Junior Team Options

No Experience Necessary!

RECREATIONAL Youth Level

Age: 12 years old in 7th grade, and older

Season: August - June, 1x/Week on Sunday morning.  New students are drawn from the waitlist year-round when openings occur.

Goals: To introduce the sport of rowing in an engaging, supportive and non-competitive environment. Attendance is not mandatory, although there is a minimum of 1 day per month.

Whom this is for: We look for middle school students who are comfortable around water, can follow directions, and most importantly, are willing to learn a terrific new sport with some new friends!

There is currently a waitlist to join this program. Register for the waitlist HERE.

COMPETITIVE DEVELOPMENT LEVEL

Age: 12 years old in 7th grade, and older

  • Try-outs/Fitness Assessment Required. Tryouts are complete for Fall 2025.

Season: Our Fall Season will be from September - December. Attendance is required at every practice to achieve our goals. Practices are on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday afternoons.

This program will occur seasonally in Fall: Sept - Dec, and Spring: Feb - June

Goals: To develop technical rowing skills and fitness in a more intense and specific way than our recreational program.

Whom this is for: This program is primarily for 7th and 8th-grade athletes who are looking to engage with our nationally competitive team in the future. While there is no perfect template to identify an athlete, rowers tend to be tall and powerful with an appetite for hard physical and mental work, and enjoy the camaraderie of a close-knit team. Acceptance onto the Development team does not guarantee acceptance onto the Competitive Racing Team.

COMPETITIVE RACING Level

Age: 13 years old in 8th grade, and older

Try-outs/Fitness Assessment Required. Tryouts are complete for Fall 2025. If you are participating in a Fall sport, there will be a second tryout in November 2025.

Season: 6 days/week (weekday afternoons 4 - 6:30 pm, Saturday mornings 9 - 11:30 am) of 2 and a half hour mandatory practices. We practice and race from September to early May, with a post-season for selected athletes through June. We welcome fall sport competitive athletes who would like to try out; there is a chance to do so after the fall competition season ends.

Goals:  Our first year and experienced rowers and coxswains develop and train in a challenging and positive team environment, to perform and race at the highest levels regionally and nationally. 

Whom this is for: Motivated, resilient people, with or without a prior athletic background, curious and eager to learn a rigorous new sport known for its spirited teamwork and focused training. While there is no perfect template to identify an athlete, rowers tend to be tall and powerful with an appetite for hard physical and mental work. Coxswains are smaller, highly observant, with a bright, competitive, empathetic mindset. Marin Rowing has a history of educating and equipping our student-athletes with the skills to compete successfully at the topmost levels; we welcome you to be a part of our future. 


Tryouts for Fall 2025

Marin Rowing is Holding Open Tryouts for Athletes this Fall

Athletes must know how to swim, and be comfortable in and around water.

Where: Marin Rowing Boathouse, 50 Drakes Landing Road, Greenbrae

When: 1-2 week tryouts begin August 25, 2025 at 4:00pm. Monday through Friday 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm.

Who: High-School Student-Athletes

Cost: There is no cost to try out.

What to expect at Tryouts:

  • Tryouts will take place on land using the rowing machines (C2 Ergometers), running, and other fitness tasks including BUT NOT LIMITED TO: 1 mile run, 8’ stationary bike, simple weight lifting, Wattage erg 3x100m.

  • Come ready to show your athletic passion, coachability, competitive drive, and desire to be a part of a team.

What to Bring:

  • Refillable water bottle with your name on it

  • Hat and sunglasses to wear in the boat

  • Sunscreen

  • Do not wear baggy or loose clothing. Wear clothes that you can work out, sweat, and move freely in.

  • Wear close-toed shoes you can exercise in.

  • Wear socks every day.

  • A snack!

We have open cubbies in the bathrooms where you can leave your bags, jackets, etc., during tryouts. Please do not bring any valuables as there are no lockers. We are not responsible for any lost or stolen items. 

We have one women's restroom with stalls, cubbies, and a communal shower area. We have one men's restroom with a urinal, stalls, cubbies, and a communal shower area. We welcome all gender identities, but are physically limited in our space to these two options. 

At Marin Rowing, you’ll have the support, the vehicle, and the peers to achieve whatever your goals may be, whether they are rowing related, social, or educational. The lessons learned in the boathouse and on the water extend far beyond the athletic realm, as athletes learn to thrive as a team.

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FAQ

 

+ How many teams are there?

We have 4 teams: U15/16/17 Boys and Girls, and U19 Boys and Girls. Athletes must be at least 12 years old and entering 7th grade or higher to try-out for the team.

+ How many athletes will make each team?

Each Team is limited to 40 athletes. NOTE: We allow athletes to play a competitive Fall sport, and will reserve a place on the team if they are selected after tryouts.

+ Why must we make selections?

Unfortunately, we must restrict the size of our program due to the narrow size of our waterway and an athlete numbers cap by the City of Larkspur. We run 4 teams after school and only so many boats can safely be on the water at the same time. In addition, we embrace quality in our coaching and can do so when we maintain a manageable number of athletes.

+ Can I play another sport?

We allow athletes to play a Fall sport for their high school sports team. If you plan on playing a Fall sport, please contact the coach prior to tryouts to let them know of your intentions to come to the team at a later date. Athletes need to come to rowing immediately following the conclusion of their Fall season.

+ What are the coaches looking for during tryouts?

Coach-ability, general athletic potential, competitiveness, positive “I can do it”, “I will try it” attitude, confidence, sportsmanship, team player mentality, leadership, and technical ability.

+ How will we look for these traits?

During tryouts, the coaches are looking for athletes with the overall potential to be a great rower. There is never just one ability or trait that causes the coach to choose an athlete. Being a good fit for the team requires being a good teammate amd trying your best. Some of the activities during tryouts will include testing on the erg (Rowing Machine), strength and endurance testing on land, and ability to learn the rowing technique on the water.

+ Do coxswains have to tryout?

Yes! Coxswains should register same as rowers and come to tryouts. Coxswains will not be held to the same physical standards, coxswain requirements will be explained once tryouts begin.

+ What time is practice and how long is the season?

The season lasts from September to May with Nationals happening the first week of June. Boats must qualify to race at Nationals at Regionals in May. Practice is roughly 4-6:30 PM Monday through Friday and also on Saturday mornings. Regattas are mostly on Saturdays and/or Sundays. Each squad has its own practice and race schedule for the full 9 month season.

+ When are tryouts?

Tryouts are held in late August/early September, and typically last 2 weeks.