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JUNIOR ROWING

JOIN our PURSUIT of 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

Marin Rowing Association is committed to an inclusive, equitable, and accessible rowing community where everyone can thrive and contribute and desires that no one is deprived of the opportunity to row due to financial concerns. To this end, Marin Rowing has secured scholarship funds to help cover the costs of camp participation and club membership. Please contact Morgan at morgan@marinrowing.org for more information.

RECREATIONAL Youth (Middle school) Level

Age: 12 years old in 7th and 8th grade. Non-Competitive, Sundays only

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 (7th and 8th grade) who are comfortable around water, can follow directions, and most importantly, are willing to learn a terrific new sport with some new friends!

Middle school waitlist registration

Youth DEVELOPMENT LEVEL

3-days a week, local racing, for competitive athletes who are too young for competitive team.

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

Try-outs/Fitness Assessment Required. See below for Fall 2026 Tryout details.

Please fill out this REGISTRATION FORM and the coaching staff will be in contact with you.

Season: 3-days per week. This program will occur seasonally in Fall: September - December, and Spring: February - June. Attendance is required at every practice to achieve our goals. Practices are on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday afternoons.

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

Who we are looking 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.

Register for Tryouts HERE!

COMPETITIVE RACING Level

Age: 13 -18 years old

Try-outs/Fitness Assessment Required. Tryouts are required. This is a highly intensive competitive team that trains 6 days a week. Please fill out this REGISTRATION FORM and the coaching staff will be in contact with you.

Season Schedule Regular Season: Sept-May, Extended Season (Qualifiers for Nationals): June: 6 days/week (weekday afternoons 4 - 6:30 pm, Saturday mornings 9 - 11:30 am). You can play your fall sport: We welcome competitive fall-sport athletes who would like to try out later in the season.

Who are we looking for: Motivated, resilient people, with or without a prior athletic background, curious and eager to learn a 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. 

Fall 2026 Tryouts: 12 years and older

Who: Tryouts are open for both the Competitive Development Team and the Competitive Racing Level Team.

When: 2-week tryouts begin August 24 - September 4, Monday through Friday.

Boys’ team tryouts are held from 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm.

Girls’ team tryouts are held from 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm

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

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 private stalls, cubbies, and a communal shower area. We have one men's restroom with a urinal, private stalls, cubbies, and a communal shower area. We welcome all gender identities, but are physically limited in our space to these two options. You are welcome to use the locker room you identify with.

Register for Tryouts HERE

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 5 teams: U15/16/17 Boys and Girls, and U19 Boys and Girls, and Co-ed Competitive Development team. 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. The Comeptitive Development team is limited to 15 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 5 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. Please fill out the registration form before August Tryouts.

+ 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 the 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 from 9:00-11:30 AM. 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.