NOVICE TEAM
The novice team supports those that are new to rowing or returning to the sport after some time away. Our "learn-to-row" graduates complete the remainder of the summer rowing season on the novice team to hone their skills in anticipation of joining the development team in the fall. Novices have varying goals that may include general fitness, racing, and building technique to where independent recreational rowing is possible. For this reason, Novice will focus as a group on the fundamentals to becoming a self-sufficient rower while enjoying the team atmosphere and increased athletic ability. The novice team starts their coached sessions in the summer in coordination with the completion of learn to row sessions.
On the novice team, you will get exposure to sculling and learn about racing opportunities. You'll have an opportunity to row with experienced rowers from the open, development, and masters teams as well as independents. You will also learn more advanced techniques beyond what is taught in our "learn-to-row" classes.
PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Summer & Fall
M/W/Th 6:00 - 8:00 pm
REQUIREMENTS
MBC "Learn-to-row" graduate, prior rowing experience, or approval by MBC Director and Novice Coach.
U20
U20 are the youngest group as they are kids in middle school or high school. The U20 Rowing program has a long history at Minnesota Boat Club. The team has seen great success at local, regional, and international races over the past several decades. Minnesota Boat Club Juniors have rowed at major regattas such as the Pan Am Games, World Championships, National Championships, and the Olympics. Many have gone on to row at dozens of colleges across the US in the NCAA, IRA and ACRA rowing associations. Many of these Juniors pursue post-secondary rowing: kids have earned scholarships towards their education or their rowing credentials have assisted them in getting admitted to their goal university.
The U20 team adds life to the club and longevity to the sport of rowing by introducing our youth to the beauty and joy that is crew. Minnesota Boat Club is dedicated to the success of our U20 members, both on and off the water. MBC hires a coaching staff exclusively for the junior team who focuses on their development as rowers, athletes, students, and individuals. As a club, there is an emphasis on technique alongside fitness. This makes rowing the perfect addition for a multi-sport athlete looking to gain an edge in their current sport. Rowing
provides cardiovascular strength, fitness, mental toughness, and an appreciation for what our bodies are able to accomplish. MBC coaches will regularly discuss, evaluate, and assist athletes with their individual goals in addition to the team goals.
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joining the team
Please fill out our interest form if you are interested in joining rowing at MBC!
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practice schedule
REQUIREMENTS
Junior athletes are primarily high schoolers, entering the 9th grade in the fall all the way through the summer after their senior year. Anyone under the age of 18 is considered a junior for USRowing.
High school rowers should complete a Junior Learn to Row session, have prior rowing experience, or have the endorsement of the Junior Head Coach in other circumstances. Middle schoolers may participate on the team after completion of a Junior Learn to Row session and have the endorsement of the Junior Head Coach.
If the Junior Learn to Row sessions have completed for the year, please contact the Junior Head Coach for a trial period to see if you are able to join mid-season.
Summer Schedule
M/W/F 3:30 - 5:30 pm
Saturday 9:00 - 11:00 AM
Fall Schedule
TBA, but most likely the same as Summer.
OPEN TEAM
MBC's open team comprises of heavyweight and lightweight male and female athletes who train and race year-round in both sculling and sweep events. The Open team meets for coached sessions starting in April through the fall, depending on water and weather conditions. The team is expected to communicate with the coach regarding their attendance. Open rowers are expected to be rowing outside of coached practice times independently in accordance with the bow list policy. Rowing at least four times a week during the on the water season is highly encouraged. Athletes not able to row four times a week regularly, should discuss cross training opportunities with the Head Coach.
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The Minnesota Boat Club has a long history of competitive success and is proud to be amongst the winningest programs in the Midwest. Our teams have won US National and Canadian Henley Championships, all major sprint and head race regattas throughout the region, and consistently garner numerous victories at the
Northwestern International Rowing Association Championships. Success has been a part of our DNA since our foundation in 1870. In recent years, USRowing Club National Championships, the NWIRA Championship Regatta, and the Head of the Charles Regatta have been priority races for our open squad.
Our success is intentional. It is derived from a strategic focus on a variety of elements that have proven to produce highly athletic and technically advanced squads year after year. These elements include:
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A winning tradition. MBC's club leadership has always prioritized a successful racing squad. Resources are allocated to consistently support this effort.
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A highly technical focus. It is not enough to pull hard. Cardiovascular strength and fitness combined with exceptional rowing produces the best results.
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Small boats. We spend a great deal of time learning to move the 1x, 2x, and 2- as this always leads to even faster speed in the big boats.
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A team mentality. Our team consists of highly successful athletes who mentor younger talent. We get faster by pushing one another to be our best.
Our open team is carefully cultivated to be an environment that is competitive yet fun. While our teams are on the water, our goal is to improve our technical efficiency and athleticism at all times. When we are off the water, we encourage and support our teammates by enjoying a variety of social activities together and building lasting friendships. This keeps us grounded: we perform our best on the water when we trust and enjoy the people and the environment that surrounds us.
Regatta attendance will always be a priority as this is how we examine the results of our training sessions. Attendance at the Minneapolis Sprints (June), Duluth International Regatta or USRowing Nationals (mid-July), the NWIRA Championship (mid-August), Head of the Des Moines (late September), and Head of the Mississippi or Head of the Oklahoma (early October) are required for open team members. Members must inform the Director and the Head Coach of absences from regattas at the beginning of the rowing season.
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practice schedule
M/Tu/W/Th/F 5:15 - 7:00 am
Sa 7:00 - 9:00 am
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(Regatta boatings are based, in part, on attendance, therefore the expectation is that at least four of the six available weekly sessions are attended.)
Sessions with coaching:
Varies in conjunction with the season and racing schedule
requirements
Year-round members must be bow-listed at level 2 and have proficiency in both sculling and sweeping techniques. Prior rowing experience and endorsement from the Head Coach must be acquired. The Head Coach evaluates exemptions to this rule on an individual basis and takes the year’s composition of athletes into consideration.
MBC does not have an age bracket for the open team; there are speed and technique requirements that are set forth by the Head Coach based on the team roster. The Open Team focuses on the 2000m race distance.
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COLLEGIATE MEMBERS
College students that meet certain requirements are welcome to train and race with the open team during the summer months. Collegiate athletes joining our program during the summer can expect to scull at least 50% of the time. This will allow you to rebalance your muscular composition and will help ground you in the ability to move small boats. Both of these will make you a stronger and faster athlete when you return to your collegiate programs at the conclusion of the summer. Sculling experience is not required of our collegiate athletes; in fact, MBC has often been the starting point for collegiates in learning to scull and broadening their skills beyond sweep rowing.
Athlete and coach inquiries are encouraged. If what you have read matches your rowing goals, please consider joining us on the Mississippi River in downtown St. Paul. Choosing the Minnesota Boat Club open team will be amongst the top rowing decisions you make!
masters TEAM
We are excited to bring the Masters Team into a reinvigorated program in 2023 to better support our talented group of athletes.
Masters are rowers who are heavyweight and lightweight male and female athletes who train and race year-round in both sculling and sweep events. This group is typically over the age of 30 years old and focuses on 1000m racing during the summer. Many members are former members of the Open Team or have graduated from the Development Team. The masters' team meets for coached sessions starting in April and lasts through the late fall, depending on water and weather conditions. Master rowers are expected to be rowing outside of coached practice times independently in accordance with the bow list policy.
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On the masters' team, you will receive coached training on the water to enable you to continue to improve your sweep and sculling skills. Those that are interested can train to compete in various regattas throughout the season. Minnesota Boat Club is proud of the history of success that our masters have achieved. Our
Our master crews have raced to success at competitive regattas such as US Master Nationals, Head of the Schuylkill, Head of the Charles, and the Northwestern International Regatta Association Championship Regatta. In recent years, local regattas in addition to the NWIRA Championship regatta have been priority regattas for this team. Members may also elect to not compete and enjoy the fitness and camaraderie with fellow experienced rowers.
Our success is intentional. It is derived from a strategic focus on a variety of elements that have proven to produce highly athletic and technically advanced squads year after year. These elements include:
-
A winning tradition. MBC's club leadership has always prioritized a successful racing squad. Resources are allocated to consistently support this effort.
-
A highly technical focus. It is not enough to pull hard. Cardiovascular strength and fitness combined with exceptional rowing produces the best results.
-
Small boats. We spend a great deal of time learning to move the 1x, 2x, and 2- as this always leads to even faster speed in the big boats.
-
Strong coaching. We invest in a coaching staff with a history of success as both athletes and coaches. They know how to draw the best out of each athlete.
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A team mentality. Our team consists of highly successful athletes and we get faster by pushing one another to be our best.
​
Our team is carefully cultivated to be an environment that is competitive yet fun. While our teams are on the water, our goal is to improve our technical efficiency and athleticism at all times. When we are off the water, we encourage and support our teammates by enjoying a variety of social activities together and building lasting friendships (many members have known each other for at least a decade while also welcoming new faces). This keeps us grounded: we perform our best on the water when we trust and enjoy the people and the environment that surrounds us.
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Regatta attendance will always be a priority as this is how we examine the results of our training sessions. Attendance at the Minneapolis Sprints (June), Duluth International Regatta or USRowing Masters Nationals (mid-July), the NWIRA Championship (mid-August), Head of the Des Moines (late September), and Head of the Mississippi or Head of the Oklahoma (early October) are highly encouraged for Master team members. Members must inform the Director and the Masters Team Coach of absences from regattas at the beginning of the rowing season.
Requirements
Year-round members must be bow-listed at level 2 and have proficiency in both sculling and sweeping techniques. Prior rowing experience and endorsement from the Masters Coach. Exemptions to this will be made on an individual basis through evaluation by the Head Coach and dependent on the year’s composition of athletes.
MBC does not have an age bracket for the Master team, but there are speed and technique requirements set forth by the Head Coach based on the team roster. The Master Team will focus on the 1000m race distance.
INDEPENDENTS
Minnesota Boat Club is home to a thriving group of independent rowers that train regularly and compete throughout our racing season. While these rowers are not part of a coached program, they do occasionally row in team boats and are a self-motivated, self-organized group. Independents do not have assigned rowing times and self-coordinate the sessions they want to row in team boats or alongside other members. This allows for increased flexibility around personal schedules.
Independent rowers have access to club equipment outside of program times or if not utilized by a program. Independents often row their own singles and doubles. Rowing with this group is a great way to experience rowing, especially if you are unsure if you can commit to one of the other adult programs.
Rowers new to MBC should speak to the Director prior to joining as an independent member as all independents must be bow-listed and pass both the written and on-water assessments. This membership is not for novice rowers as there is no regular instruction from coaching staff. Independents may elect to do private lessons with a member of the coaching staff.
ASSOCIATES
The associative membership is a social membership to MBC often utilized by Alumni and community members. These members will receive updates from MBC and invitations to social events held by MBC. This membership does not include access to the facilities beyond these events or use of rowing equipment.
