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SUMMARY
Essex Rowing's Junior Sculling Development Camp is a 6-week camp for boys, born in 1991 or later, who want to train and compete at the highest levels of the national summer rowing circuit. Participants will train and race in quads, doubles, and singles, with multiple daily practices and an emphasis on selecting the fastest team boats but also on developing each rower to his full potential. Requirements for participation are at least one season of competitive sculling and 6:50 2k or better erg score (see below for further eligibility information).
Rowers will reside locally with other Essex Rowing and local families (click here for home-stay information). The camp will be run out of the Essex Rowing Club’s facilities in Methuen, MA. The summer will focus on competition at the USRowing Club Nationals in Oak Ridge, Tennessee and the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta in St. Catharines, Ontario. The program encompasses on-water training, strength training, yoga and flexibility, and talks from nutritionists, sports psychologists, and other activities throughout the summer.
Interested rowers who meet the standards are encouraged to e-mail the program's director (J. D. Bridges) at jdbridges@essexrowing.org [and follow the link to Registration to find an application form etc]. Please refer to the Junior Sculling Development Camp information for policies and contact information (as these differ from other Essex Rowing summer programs).
COACHING STAFF
J.D. Bridges; Senior Coach (Boys), Essex Rowing Club, Inc., June 2007-present
ELIGIBILITY
Camp is for high school boys born in 1991 or later. Applicants should have a 2k erg score of 6:50 or lower and at least one season of competitive sculling. Exceptional older athletes may occasionally be accepted. There are opportunities for scullers to race competitively at the levels above Junior, especially for lightweights. Rowers born in 1993 (eligible to row Junior B/Junior 16) may be accepted with a 2k erg score of 7:00 or better.
LOCATION
Athletes will train on the Merrimack River at the Essex Rowing Club’s facilities in Methuen, MA. Benefiting from approximately 8 miles of uninterrupted water, the stretch of the Merrimack River between the Lawrence and Lowell dams is home to Essex Rowing as well as Andover Crew (Phillips Academy Andover) and Greater Lawrence Rowing. A largely undeveloped, forested shoreline and moderate 150-300 meter width make the water especially resistant to the influence of wind and an ideal venue for rowing.
DATES
Camp begins on June 28. The camp will conclude at Canadian Henley on August 9th.
LATE COMERS
Campers will be accepted returning from the Henley Royal Regatta no later than July 7. Campers will also be accepted from the first two cuts of Junior National Team selection camps (sweep or sculling). Given the small number of rowers, however, preference will be given to campers who can commit to the whole summer.
PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Campers will follow an intense practice schedule designed to push the athletes mentally and physically, but more importantly to allow the development of each athlete to his full potential. Campers will practice twice daily Monday – Friday, with practices Saturday morning and Sunday evening. While there is some flexibility in the week, camp should be considered a full-time commitment.
HOME STAY
The camp had good success in 2008 with home-stay experiences for its out-of-town athletes. For the camp to continue to be able to provide the quality of experience at a reasonable price, however, it is vital that local athletes consider hosting an out-of-town rower. Typically a boarding fee is arranged between the families. Please contact the director if you think you’d be able to host an athlete for the five weeks they’ll be in Massachusetts.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
July 12th Cromwell Cup Regatta - Charles River, Boston, MA
July 15th-19th USRowing Club National Championship - Oak Ridge, TN
August 4th-9th Royal Canadian Henley Regatta - St. Catharine's, Ontario
Additional local competition may be arranged throughout the summer. Parents are encouraged to attend the regattas if they are able, and we are seeking additional chaperones for Club Nationals and Canadian Henley. Please contact the director if you're interested.
USROWING MEMBERSHIP
All participants are required to be individual members of USRowing (regattas require this). For more information, go to http://www.usrowing.org/join_renew/membershipoptions/index.aspx
ROYAL CANADIAN HENLEY REGATTA
All participants are required to have a valid passport to facilitate entry into Canada. Applicants are encouraged to start this process early.
COLLEGE RECRUITING
While campers can expect visits from college coaches throughout the summer, the camp staff also provides extensive recruiting and admission through the fall for interested rising seniors who are pursuing rowing in college. Last year’s campers went on visits to Cornell, Wisconsin, Washington, Brown, Syracuse, Harvard, Princeton, Yale, and other top schools.
YEAR-ROUND EVENTS
Alumni of the camp keep in touch throughout the year on their own, of course, but Essex provides opportunities for racing and training together as well. Last year Essex received one bid for a double at the Head of the Charles (which is reserved for campers); that boat qualified for an automatic bid in 2009 and we plan on increasing our entries for this fall as well. Additionally, JSD alumni are invited to Florida in January to train and relax with their summer teammates as well as prospective campers over the Martin Luther King holiday weekend.
PRIVATE BOAT STORAGE
Essex Rowing has outdoor storage space for singles. Scullers who own their own boats should contact the director about storage, transporting, and training/racing in their own equipment over the summer.
CONTACT INFORMATION
J.D. Bridges
PO Box 81
North Andover, MA 01845
Mobile: (978) 857.0199
jdbridges@essexrowing.org
Essex Rowing Club, Inc. Contact Information
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