VANCOUVER LAKE AQUATIC CENTER
Home of the Vancouver Lake Rowing Club
VANCOUVER LAKE AQUATIC CENTER
Home of the Vancouver Lake Rowing Club
ROWING - YOUTH
Vancouver Lake Rowing Club was founded with the intent of supporting the youth of our community through positive educational activities on water. VLRC serves the youth of our community, adaptive rowers, at risk individuals, and adult rowers and paddlers by teaching rowing technique, water safety, teamwork, and stewardship of resources.
Why rowing?
Why get up before the sun, sometimes in the cold and rain, to work out on the lake? Rowing is a team sport, where you work together with up to eight other rowers to glide in perfect rhythm across the water. It’s also an individual sport, where each stroke you take is an exercise in mental and physical strength and discipline. Rowing combines the collaboration and accomplishment of team sports with the beautiful PNW outdoors—stunning sunrises, abundant wildlife, and views of the surrounding mountain peaks.
Fall Season Overview
Dates to know:
- August 28th & 29th: [4:15pm-6:30pm] - Red and Blue Group Varsity Rowers pre-season practice **attendance mandatory for returning rowers planning to participate in fall season
- September 2nd: [4:15pm-6:30pm] - First practice of fall season **all
- September 6th: [Noon-2pm] - Back to Rowing Fall Meeting **parents and all athletes required to attend
- September 8th-19th: [4:15pm-6:30pm] - 2 week Free Trial: M/W/F
- September 27th: [plan on the whole day] - Fall Season Erg-a-Thon **attendance mandatory for all rowers
- November 25th: [4:15-6:30pm] - Last practice of fall season **all
- Days off:
- November 11th - Veterans day
- November 26th-30th - Thanksgiving Break
Focus:
Rowing for the Vancouver Lake Youth Rowing program is a transformative experience for student athletes. Athletes learn life skills through teamwork, perseverance, competition, skill development and fitness building. Fall rowing can be compared to cross country in the fall which prepares athletes for track in the spring (aka sprint racing)! Emphasis of fall season on:
- Technique, aerobic endurance, strength training, and building lasting frendships and community
- Mostly on-the-water sessions with supplemental erg and weights
- Head race (long-distance) training — 4,000-6,000 meter races throughout the PNW from October- November
2025 Fall Season Groups
September 2nd- November 25th
Monday - Friday 4:15 PM - 6:30 PM
8612 NW Erwin O Rieger Memorial Highway, Vancouver, WA 98660Red Group – 5‑Days-a‑Week [Racing and Fitness Focus]
Practice schedule: M-F 4:15pm-6:30pm (with occasional Saturday practices)
- Who?
- Ages 12-19
- Ideal for athletes wanting to make rowing their main sport
- New athletes (novices) will have racing opportunities along with returning rowers
- Which Red Group am I?:
- Red Varsity Rowers -- athletes who have rowed in the past for one season or more
- Red Notive Rowers -- athletes brand new to the sport (including those who've completed Summer rowing camp)
- Focus areas:
- Continued development of sculling and sweep disciplines
- Experience in multiple boat classes
- Strong race preparation
- Endurance work
- Water sessions with specific technical skill coaching and video review
- Additional strength and ergometer work
- Education on nutrition, hydration, and stretching -- the foundations of athletic development
- Athletes do not have to race, but participation is encouraged
- Cost:
- Fall 5-day-a-week program is $200 a month
Fall Racing Schedule:
Crews = select boats / Groups = Red and Blue Varsity and Novice
- Tail of the Lake - October 5th,2025 - Seattle, WA (Red Varsity Group only)
- Portland Fall Classic - October, 26th, 2025 - Vancouver, WA (all crews)
- Head of the Lake - November 2nd 2025 - Seattle, WA (select Red Group crews only)
- Head of the Lagoon - November 16th 2025 - Foster City, CA (select Red Group crews only)
- Red & Blue Team Scrimmage - November 21st 9am-Noon - Vancouver, WA (all Groups)
- Please reference our youth information HUB for additional information on our programs.
REGISTER HERE
Blue Group – 3‑Days-a‑Week [Development Focus]
Practice Schedule: M/W/F 4:15-6:30pm (rowers may attend alternate days pending coach approval)
- Who?
- Ages 11-18
- No experience required.
- Ideal for athletes just joining the sport of rowing or those juggling multiple after school activities and who cannot attend five days a week
- Which Bue Group am I?:
- Blue Varsity Rowers -- athletes who have rowed in the past for one season or more
- Blue Notive Rowers -- athletes brand new to the sport (including those who've completed Summer rowing camp)
- Focus areas:
- Athlete development and learning the skills and technique involved with rowing
- Learning the sport of rowing
- Learning rowing technique in sculling and sweep disciplines
- Delevoping proper calisthenics movement patterns (excellent conditioning for all Spring sports)
- Cost:
- Fall 3-day-a-week program is $125 a month
Fall Racing Schedule:
Crews = select boats / Groups = Red and Blue Varsity and Novice
- Portland Fall Classic - October, 26th, 2025 - Vancouver, WA (all crews)
- Red & Blue Team Scrimmage - November 21st 9am-Noon - Vancouver, WA (all Groups)
- Please reference our youth information HUB for additional information on our programs.
REGISTER HERE
Fall 2025 2 Week Free Trial
September 8th - 19th
Monday - Friday 4:15 PM - 6:30 PM
8612 NW Erwin O Rieger Memorial Highway, Vancouver, WA 98660
Curious about rowing? Try it free with VLRC!
When: September 8th–19th
Where: Vancouver Lake 8612 WA-501, Vancouver, WA 98660
Vancouver Lake Crew offers a FREE 2-week trial of our Youth Learn to Row program! This is a gret opportunity for kids and teens to get on the water, learn the basics of rowing, and have fun with new friends. This is a low stakes way to see if rowing could be the right sport for your athlete. This may be your introduction to the sport or the bridge from our youth summer camp to seeing what our racing season team is like.
Who and What:
- Ages 12–18
- No experience needed
- All equipment provided
- Safe, supportive coaching
- Build confidence, strength & teamwork
REGISTER HERE
FAQ
Do I need to be able to swim?
- Athletes must complete a swim test OR be required to wear PFD lifejackets while on the water
- Athletes can complete a swim test at local pools/community centers and provide proof of ability
- Swim test form: Rowing Swim Test
What do I bring:
- Athletic shoes
- Athletic clothes (no jeans or baggy clothing)
- Hat/sunglasses (optional)
- Water bottle/snack
YOUTH ROWING SEASONS
2025-2026
SPRING 2026
Febuary 17th- June 12th
Spring is sprint season. Rowers race between 1,500m-2,000m at spring regattas.
Athletes will have the opportunity to race across the PNW and at our Regional Championships.
We work on the water out of Vancouver Lake boathouse and will also lift throughout the season.
Athletes that qualify for National Championships will train through the first week of June to compete at Nationals in Sarasota, FL.
New athletes are welcome to join at any point in our spring season!
SUMMER 2026
Summer camp is a great place to learn how to row in a fun low-stakes environment that focuses on fun, teamwork, and skill development.
Summer Camps for our 2026 Season will begin in early June and will run through the first week of August.
FALL 2025
September 2 - November 25th
Fall is long distance Head Race Season, where races range from from 4,000m-6,000m in length.
Athletes have the opportunity to race across the PNW.
Most of our workouts will be on the water with a mix of additional strength training.
This is a great time of year to focus on technique and skill development, try new things, and increase aerobic capacity.
New rowers are welcome anytime through our fall season!
WINTER 2025/2026
Winter 2026 December 1st-Febuary 13th
Depending on the weather we try to get out on the water at the beginning of practice (with lights and appropriate gear).
Athletes can expect cross training on the ergs/bikes along with circuit work and weightlifting.
We teach the basic principles of weightlifting so that all athletes learn how to move their bodies and are able to establish proper body mechanics.
New rowers are welcome anytime thoughout our winter season! This is a great time to get fit and increase strength and endurance.
YOUTH INFORMATION HUB
SAFETY
All coaches are trained in
- SafeSport
- FirstAid
- CPR
- AED
- Launch driving
- On the water emergencies
All coaches are
- Background checked
- Licensed boat drivers
SWIM TEST REQUIRED
All rowers (Adult and Youth) must pass a swim test. The test must be given at public swimming pools under the supervision of a Water Safety Instructor certified by the American Red Cross. The form must be signed, dated and turned in before starting practice.
- Swim test form: Rowing Swim Test
WHAT TO WEAR
Tight fitting clothes that will not get caught on the oars or the sliding seat (e.g: spandex pants/shorts, shirts no longer than waist). Gloves are not worn for rowing. Bring spare clothes for after practice. We will row on the water through the winter, please dress accordingly.
UNIFORMS
If your rower chooses to race, we have unisuits that can be rented for $25 a season, or athletes can purchase their own for $70 Our team store will be open every fall and athletes can purchase racing gear for our fall, winter, and spring seasons then. 3-Day a week rowers can order a navy blue teck shirt in our fall gear order. We have extra gear on hand for thoses joining in winter or spring season. We will go over ger on back to rowing night september 6th.
BEGINNERS GUIDE TO ROWING
PARENT & ROWER HANDBOOK
REGATTA SCHEDULE & INFORMATION
Get all the details!
- Fall 2026
- Tail of the Lake - October 5th,2025 -- Seattle, WA (Red Varsity Group Only)
- Head of the Charles -- October 17th-19th, 2025-- Boston, MA (select crews only)
- Portland Fall Classic --- October, 26t, 2025 Vancouver, WA (all Groups)
- Head of the Lake -- November 2nd 2025 Seattle, WA
- Red & Blue Team Scrimmage - November 14th 9am-Noon (All Groups)
- Head of the Lagoon -- November 16th 2025 Foster City, CA (select crews only
VOLUNTEER SIGN UP
Let us know how you can help!
COACHES
JAMIE
HEAD COACH
Youth Rowing, Canoe and Kayak
CHARLOTTE
ASSISTANT COACH
Youth Rowing
CONNECT
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Vancouver Lake Aquatic Center