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 Dates to know:
Dates to know:
- 7/24 Last Day of Summer Rowing
- Pre Season Training For 5-Day a week athletes begins 8/24 and goes till 9/5 ( Pre Season training is required for all 5-day a week athletes)
- Start of Regular Season is 9/8
- End of fall season 11/24
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 indoor rowing and biking with additional focus on plyometrics and weight training
- Weekend water sessions
2026 Fall Season Groups
Fall Season Start 8/24- 11/24
Monday - Friday 4:15 PM - 6:30 PM
Saturday 8am-11am
8612 NW Erwin O Rieger Memorial Highway, Vancouver, WA 98660Fall Red Group – 5‑Days-a‑Week [Racing and Fitness Focus]
Practice schedule: M-F 4:15pm-6:30pm (Saturday practices 8am-11am)
*Pre Season Training For 5-Day a week athletes begins 8/24 and goes till 9/5 ( Pre Season training is required for all 5-day a week athletes)
- 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::
- Spring: 5-day-a-week program is $250 a month
Fall Racing Schedule Red Group (5-day a week athletes) :
-9/27 Salmon and Seal Regatta: Olympia, WA 8am-2pm
-10/4 Tail of the Lake regatta -- Seattle, WA
- 10/25 Portland Fall Classic-- Vancouver, WA
- 11/1 Head of The Lake -- Seattle, WA (invite only)
-11/8-11/9 Head of the Lagoon -- Foster City, CA (Invite only)
-11/22 Red-Blue Team Scrimmage -- Vancouver, WA
- Please reference our youth information HUB for additional information on our programs.
Register HERE
Fall 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)
-Start Date 9/8
- 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 $175 a month
Fall Racing Schedule Blue Group (3-day a week athletes):
- 10/25 Portland Fall Classic -- Vancouver, WA
- 11/22 Red/Blue Team Scrimmage -- Vancouver, WA
- Please reference our youth information HUB for additional information on our programs.
Register HERE
Two Week Free Trial Trial
Sessions from June 15th-July 24th
Open practice 7/27-8/25 * Coaches are present, this is drop in practice time for athletes
7:30am-9:30am
(Athletes can complete strength sessions on their own after water is complete at 9:30am)
YOUTH ROWING SEASONS
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.
June 15th- July 24th
FALL 2026
September 2 - November 25th
-Pre season training camp
Aug 24th-28th for returing athletes
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 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 Rowing Scholarships
Rowing for Every Athlete
At Vancouver Lake Rowing Club (VLRC), we believe every young person who wants to row should have the opportunity to do so—regardless of financial circumstances.
Our Youth Financial Aid & Scholarship Program is designed to remove barriers and expand access to the life-changing experience of rowing. Through this program, we offer both partial and full scholarships to support athletes and families in our community.
What Scholarships Can Cover
Financial aid may be applied toward:
-Rowing program registration fees (up to half)
-Local regatta fees (up to half)
Our goal is simple: to ensure that cost is never the reason a motivated athlete cannot participate.
Partnership with the George Pocock Rowing Foundation
VLRC is proud to partner with the George Pocock Rowing Foundation to support equitable access to rowing.
Through this partnership:
Scholarship applications are reviewed with guidance and support from GPRF
Funding opportunities are expanded to reach more athletes
We align with a shared commitment to inclusion, access, and youth development through rowing
Together, we are working to open doors for the next generation of rowers—on and off the water.
Who Should Apply:
We encourage applications from:
Families experiencing financial hardship
Athletes who would not otherwise be able to participate
Youth from historically underrepresented communities in rowing
If financial support would make a difference for your family, we strongly encourage you to apply.
How to Apply:
Applying for financial aid is simple and confidential.
https://www.pocockfoundation.org/athlete-support-retention-scholarshipsApplications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and awards are determined based on demonstrated need and available funding.
Support the Scholarship Fund
Want to help make rowing accessible for all?
Your support directly impacts young athletes in our community—providing access to sport, mentorship, and lifelong skills.
Click here to Donate to Youth Scholarships
Why it Matters
Rowing builds more than athletes—it builds confidence, resilience, teamwork, and leadership. By investing in access, we are strengthening not only individual lives, but our entire community.
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 will have unisuits available for purchase from our uniform/merchandise chairperson.
We also allow a payment plan for purchase of the unisuits. Please contact the VLRCTreasurer@gmail.com for more information on payment plans.
BEGINNERS GUIDE TO ROWING
PARENT & ROWER HANDBOOK
COACHES
jamie
HEAD COACH
Youth Rowing,
Kyle
ASSISTANT COACH
Youth Rowing
Allegra
ASSISTANT COACH
Youth Rowing
Andrew
ASSISTANT COACH
Youth Rowing
CONNECT
We use TeamSnap for scheduling, chat, and invoicing.
Vancouver Lake Aquatic Center