Programs
The G-ROW competitive team is primarily made up of athletes from Another Course to College, Boston Latin Academy, Brighton High, English High, John D. O’Bryant, the Josiah Quincy Upper School, Madison Park, and the South Boston Complex which includes the three individual schools Excel, Odyssey, and Monument High School. The team trains throughout the entire school year to compete in local, regional, national and even international regattas.
Practices take place at the Community Rowing, Inc. boathouse on the Charles River in Newton, MA. The girls are picked up from school three or four afternoons a week and driven to practice in the program van. The ride to and from the boathouse is a powerful part of each practice, as it gives the girls a chance to "bond" and talk openly with their teammates and coaches in a no-pressure environment.
In the fall, the novice girls learn to row on rowing machines and stable rowing barges, then graduate to the sleek, eight-person rowing shells. Any girls who have not passed a swim test wear a life jacket every time they are on the water. The varsity trains in eight and four person boats and competes in several "head races" throughout the season. The culmination of the fall season is participation in the world famous Head of the Charles Regatta. For the past several years, G-ROW BOSTON has been the only Boston Public School entry.
In the winter, the girls work to build their strength, endurance, and technical skills by training indoors. Two days per week the girls train at the Harry Parker boathouse. There, they are able to improve their technique and fitness on rowing machines.
Any girl who has not passed a swim test spends one day per week in the winter in the pool learning to swim. The rest of the team goes to the Healthworks Foundation Fitness Center in Dorchester. At Healthworks the girls have the opportunity to work out on cardio machines, lift weights or take fitness classes, such as boxing, yoga, aerobics, and strength training.
The highlight of the year comes in February, when the team travels away for a training trip during school vacation. This year the team will travel to Summerton, South Caroline to row at Camp Robert Cooper. In passed years the team has gone to Atlanta, Georgia, and Tempe, Arizona. During the week long trip the girls row twice a day, visit local colleges, go hiking and spend time bonding as a team.
In April, the girls are back on the water at Community Rowing for the remainder of the school year. They train to compete in a number of local and regional regattas against other public schools and club rowing programs. In May they race in the Massachusetts Public School Championships.
Throughout the school year, an academic tutoring program is
available for the girls who want to work with volunteer tutors. In the winter,
most practices include designated study time where tutors are on hand to provide
homework help and study skills training. On Tuesdays the entire practice is
designated to academic support to any student who has a C or below in any
subject. In addition, beginning in their senior year, competitive team
members meet with a meet with a counselor from The
Bottom Line where they receive individual college
guidance. G-ROW is also working with the Rower's
Edge this fall, offering seniors who plan to row in college the chance to
receive some guidance about navigating the college process as a rower.
This has been very valuable to our rowers, and we appreciate all the help.
G-ROW also offers employment to its competitive team members assisting coaches with the G-ROW summer camps. As junior counselors, the rowers are able gain valuable work and leadership experience while sharing their skills, knowledge, and rowing expertise with younger athletes.
Middle School Program
Each spring, girls from Timilty
Middle School take the program vans from their school to the Community
Rowing boathouse for rowing practice two days a week. The girls learn to
row on rowing machines and then take their skills into the stable rowing
barges. The Timilty program, which is one of G-ROW’s longest running
programs, gives the girls a taste of the sport of rowing, a chance to
explore a completely new and different activity, and a time to build
friendships with their teammates
Summer Programs
G-ROW summer programs are available to girls
ages 12-18 who are residents of Boston. We offer three weeklong sessions
each summer. Early in the week, the girls learn the basic rowing skills
on rowing machines and in the stable rowing barges. By the end of the
week, more advanced girls are moved into eight and four person racing
shells. The girls row for about ninety minutes in the morning, then come
in for snacks and a break. Afterwards, they do icebreaker and team
building games, than head back outside for another session on the water.
The program’s focus is on learning a new sport and having fun.
Transportation is available.
Current members and recent alumnae of the G-ROW competitive team have the opportunity to work at the summer programs as junior counselors. The junior counselors help coaches organize practices and activities, cox the boats, and drive the barge. Through this interaction with the experienced G-ROW athletes, participants are able to see older role models demonstrate good leadership, teamwork, and the benefits of rowing.
To register for a G-ROW summer program, please complete this form and send it to:
G-ROW BOSTON
20 Nonantum Road
Brighton, MA 02135
Fax Number: 617-779-8269
Outreach Programs
G-ROW Outreach Programs aim to bring rowing to girls around Boston who would otherwise not have the opportunity to learn about the sport. Past Outreach Programs have included participation in the Boston Centers for Youth and Families’ (BCYF) annual All Girls’ Sports Festival. At this all day event, varsity rowers give a rowing demonstration on rowing machines, than conduct a learn-to-row clinic for girls from all over Boston. Each year, over 100 girls participate in the clinic.
G-Row has also teamed up with BCYF and Alden Ocean Shell Association for a weeklong learn-to-row program for boys and girls from Boston’s community centers. At the program, kids learn to row in stable Alden double and single shells, and though many have never participated in water sports before, throughout the week they gain confidence and skill.
If you
are interested in scheduling a learn-to-row Outreach program session with
G-ROW Boston please contact us at info@growboston.org.