Rowing

For over a century rowing on the Rock River has provided participants a new “view” of the river. After you have crewed on the ROCK, you will know what unites rowers everywhere. The coordination, camaraderie, sense of purpose and the total body workout keep the tradition alive.

The mission of the YMCA Rowing Crew is to promote the sport of rowing in all its forms including competitive, recreation, and wellness, under the highest standards to all who are interested in a safe, healthy, and fun activity. Steeped in tradition, our Rowing Crew plays host the Head of the Rock Regatta every October. This decades-old event draws more than 2,000 rowers from across the country and more than 5,000 spectators to the banks of the Rock River.
 
Looking to improve strength, flexibility, and toughness during the summer? Then we are looking for you! Rowing is an ideal cross-training sport that improves strength, endurance, and flexibility with little risk of injury. The YMCA Rockford Rowing Crew offers both Masters and High School aged classes to all who are interested in learning to row.

Discover Rowing through the YMCA´s "Learn to Row" program. Discover Rowing is a weekend introduction to the sport. Our goal with this class is to introduce the new rower to the basics and fundamentals of rowing. Following Discover Rowing, participants move on to the Learn to Row program.

2024 Offerings:
May 17, 18 and 19
5:30am - 10am

Master's Discover Rowing is for Ages 18+. We have an additional Jr. Discover Rowing event below.
  Register Here

This is a 6-week program to follow the Discover Rowing class or Previous Rowing Experience. This class is designed to be a structured practice to improve your skills and feel comfortable in the boat. Once completed you become a member of the Rowing Crew. 

2024 Offerings for ages 18+:
May 30th - July 11th
Tuesdays & Thursdays
5:30am -7am Register

The mission of the YMCA of Rock River Valley Rowing Club is to promote the sport of rowing in all its forms including competitive, wellness, and adaptive under the highest standards to all that are interested in a safe, healthy, and fun manner. The Rockford YMCA Rowing Club (RYRC) is a program of the YMCA. 

The following rowing seasons are available to participate in:

- Jr. Rowing: available for ages 13-18
- Family Rowing: available for parent/adult & a child to row together
- College Rowing: available for college-aged adults to participate in
- Masters Rowing: available for adults Register

The RYRC Junior rowing program is for boys and girls, who are at least 14 years old and have not yet begun college. 

Junior rowers at the RYRC learn rowing fundamentals, such as to sweep (row with one oar) and scull (row with two oars).  All RYRC team members start as uncertain novice rowers; over the course of the season and through the years, they grow into confident and capable young adults who can safely navigate their boats up and down the Rock River. While the program is mostly skill-based and recreational, RYRC Juniors are able to compete against other junior teams at regattas around the area and at our own Head of the Rock Regatta in October. Competitions are optional.

If you Learn to Row and Love to Row, you continue for the rest of summer! Register and join us for two weeks of learning to row from June 17-28. The Junior Rowing season will follow this two week introductory session.

RYRC Juniors meet 4 times per week June - October.  
June - August: Practices are held 5:30AM-7:30AM, Mon/Tues & Thurs/Fri  
August - October: School-year practices will be 5:30AM-7:00AM Tues/Thurs & 6:30AM-8:30AM Sat/Sun
  Register

Rowing on the Rock

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*Need a place to store your boat – we have space in our boathouse. We offer storage for the season starting at $100.
 
For more information on the Rowing Crew, contact:
Jane Johnson
Rowing Director
janejohnson@rockriverymca.org
815-489-1210