AJR is a national recognized rowing program open to all high school students. We also allow for 8th graders, to be determined on a case-by-case basis. Participants may begin at any time throughout high school but no earlier than the summer preceding their 8th grade year or its equivalent for home-schooled youth. The program gives priority on its roster to returning rowers, with the remaining spots open to new rowers (experienced and novice) on a space-available basis. Athletes are from Anne Arundel County and the surrounding area public and private schools and homeschoolers. Athletes are held to a high athletic, academic and moral standard. Many of our rowers go on to compete at the collegiate level.
Seasons
Fall Head Race Season – Last week of August through early-November
Winter Training – Mid-December through end of February.
Spring Sprint Race Season – March through mid-May. If a crew qualifies for Youth Nationals, the season will extend to mid-June.
Summer Training – End of June through August
Many of our rowers participate year round.
New (novice) and experienced rowers are welcome to join in the fall and spring, and on a limited basis may join in the winter. Novices are also welcome to join the team for summer training after completion of a session of AJR’s or a similar Learn-to-Row Program.
For the fall and spring seasons, practices are held four to five days a week, Monday through Friday from 4:00 – 6:30 p.m. and some Sunday afternoons that we are not racing. Races in the fall and the spring are held on weekends, either one or both days. For the summer session, practices are held Monday-Wednesday-Friday from 6:30 – 8:30 a.m.
Location
AJR practices out of the Girl Scout’s Camp Woodlands, 2744 Riva Road, Annapolis 21401, rowing on Broad Creek and the South River. AJR has exclusive use to this rowing facility.
Registration
- All members must seasonally complete the On-line Registration, which includes Medical History and Health Insurance questions.
- All rowers are required to purchase a Championship Membership and execute an online Release of Liability (Waiver) with USRowing, our governing body. www.usrowing.org.
- In addition, all new members to AJR must submit a Swim Verification that is kept on file. This form can be found in the Forms section when registering.
Fees and Costs
- Fees for members vary per season and go directly to coaching, equipment, insurance, and costs associated with participation in regattas, including buses and hotels.
- Typically, dues for the fall and spring rowing seasons do not exceed $1,100 each season. The winter indoor training and the summer morning on-water practices typically range between $350 to $450 each season.
- Other ancillary costs include the purchase of a team uniform and related racing and training gear, as well as a few other minimal expenses such as meals while traveling. There is a “no refund” policy and no pro-rating of fees.