Youth Programs

New Bedford Rowing Center (NBRC) offers rowing programs for youth ages 12-18 with all levels of experience. See our schedule for the current season’s details.

We row year-round with on-the-water activities Spring, Summer and Fall, and indoor training during the winter. For youth rowers with competitive interest, we offer the opportunity to participate in regattas throughout the year as well as indoor erg regattas during the winter.

We believe in removing financial barriers and building a supportive environment so that every child can experience the joy of rowing and the benefits it brings to body and mind. We aim to keep program costs low for participants and offer scholarships to those who qualify.

Experienced and new rowers welcome!

Clinics

Summer Programs

Middle School - STEM to Stern

Clinics

NBRC offers clinics throughout the year focusing on a particular skill or offering additional learn to row opportunities.

Upcoming Clinics

Learn to Row - Spring Break
- Dates: April 21 - 25, 2025
- Time: 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
- Where: NBRC Boathouse, 4 Pope's Island, New Bedford, MA 02740
- Cost: $150.00*

The goal of the NBRC LTR clinic is to equip new rowers with the basic skills of boat-handling and rowing technique, enabling them to row safely and with confidence.

To sign up for the LTR Clinic:

Complete the NBRC registration form (below), including the NBRC Waiver and Release of Liability
Pay the registration fees: $150 per week
Register with USRowing. The annual fee is $25 for a "basic" membership (club #11516).

*Scholarships available: Complete the application here before completing the registration form.

Summer Programs

2025 Sessions: (Schedule to be announced soon)

Our summer sessions are one week and rowers can progress from learn to row to sweeps skills development if they sign up for multiple weeks. Participants must be in grades 9-12 and pass a swim test.

Summer Learn to Row
- The goal of the LTR program is to equip beginning rowers with the basic skills of boat-handling and rowing technique, enabling them to row safely and with confidence.
Sweeps 1
- A recreational, non-competitive skills development course that builds upon and refines the skills they picked up in the learn to row week.
Sweeps 2
- Do you feel the swing?! You've stuck with the learn to row and sweeps 1 and now you're moving with your crew like a fine tuned machine. Continue refining your skills and settle in this week.

Program Costs: $150 per week*

To sign up for summer program:

Complete the NBRC registration form (below), including the NBRC Waiver and Release of Liability Sign up for multiple weeks is possible.
Pay the registration fees: $150 per week
Register with USRowing. The annual fee is $25 for a "basic" membership (club #11516).

All three steps must be completed to reserve a place in a particular session. Reservations are on a first-come basis.

*Scholarships available: Complete the application here.

FAQs:

What should I wear?

What should I bring?

What if I can't make a session?

STEM to Stern

The STEM to Stern summer program partners with local middle schools to introduce sweep rowing to Greater New Bedford-area kids ages 12-15 and provide STEM education at New Bedford Research & Robotics.

2025 Sessions TBD

Open to New Bedford Public Middle School students
Pick-up/Drop-off: Keith Middle School
Time: TBD

Objectives are to empower Greater New Bedford youth academically and athletically through half day rowing lessons and half day STEM projects. Participants also have the chance to take part in Vineyard Wind's Introduction to Offshore Wind exhibit at Bristol Community College's Wind Power Lab.

Partnership with STEM to Stern

New Bedford Rowing Center has partnered with STEM to Stern to eliminate barriers to participation in rowing and STEM education. Many students from underserved communities face barriers including lack of transportation and swimming competency as well as cost and underrepresentation. STEM to Stern addresses these barriers through local and national partnerships to ensure that all students are able to participate on rowing teams, regardless of race, socioeconomic status or address. STEM to Stern enables rowing clubs to be more inclusive, competitive and accessible to everyone and uses rowing to unite students from different communities.

In addition to increasing access to rowing, STEM to Stern also provides participants with high quality STEM education. STEM activities excite and engage students and develop critical thinking, problem solving and teamwork. Each curriculum is tailored to fit the needs of the students involved. Both STEM fields and rowing programs have historically excluded students from underserved communities. STEM to Stern provides access, breaks barriers and increases equity. We’re excited to have this program at our club.

For more information about the STEM to Stern program:

Reach out to Jordan Seim, Chair, Board of Directors at info@newbedfordrowing.org to learn more.

Register Online

Click below for the sign up forms ⬇️

Clinics + Summer Programs + STEM to Stern +

Clinics +

Learn to Row Clinic - Spring Break

Your Information

Learn to Row Clinic - Spring Break(Required)

Please reach out to info@newbedfordrowing.org with any questions.

Participant's Name(Required)

First Last

Participant's Date of Birth(Required)

Parent/Guardian Name(Required)

First Last

Parent/Guardian Email(Required)

Parent/Guardian Phone(Required)

Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

NBRC Waiver and Release of Liability(Required)

READ ALL of the Agreement carefully before signing.

ACTIVITY AND ASSOCIATED RISKS: I have chosen to participate in the following activity: Rowing (hereinafter referred to as “the Activity”), which is organized by New Bedford Rowing Center, a 501(c)(3) organization (hereinafter referred to as “NBRC”).

In consideration of the permission to participate in the Activity, I agree to the terms contained in this document.

The Activity is inherently hazardous, and I may be exposed to dangers and hazards.

As a consequence of these risks, I may be seriously hurt or disabled or may die from resulting injuries, and my property may also be damaged.

Hospital facilities, qualified medical care, and emergency medical evacuation may be limited or unavailable during portions of the Activity; and NBRC assumes no responsibility for providing medical care during the Activity, and I will have to pay for any medical care and/or evacuation that I incur. Furthermore, I understand that participants must be competent swimmers for their own safety and the safety of others, and by SIGNING THIS FORM I AM CERTIFYING THAT I AM A COMPETENT SWIMMER.

I hereby freely assume the above-mentioned risks as well as other risks not listed that are part of this activity, and any harm, injury or loss that may occur to me or my property as a result of my participation in the Activity or during any transportation to or from the Activity - including any injury or loss caused by the negligence of NBRC, its employees, agents and officers, its contractors, and other Activity participants.

I also understand that any equipment that I provide or may borrow or rent from NBRC or any other provider I use at my own risk and that any such equipment is provided without any warranty about its condition or suitability.

I hereby RELEASE NBRC, its employees, agents, officers, and contractors, the providers of any equipment used in the Activity, the City of New Bedford, the New Bedford Port Authority, New Bedford Parks and Recreation & Beaches, and their respective employees, officers, and directors ( “the Released Parties”) FROM ALL LIABILITIES, CAUSES OF ACTION, CLAIMS AND DEMANDS that arise in any way from any injury, death, loss or harm that occur to me or to any other person or to any property during the Activity or in any way related to the Activity. Any dispute arising from this Agreement or in any way associated with the Activity shall be brought only in the Superior Court of Bristol County in Fall River, MA, or in the U.S. District Court for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in Boston, MA, and I agree to the jurisdiction and venue of those courts for any such dispute. In any litigation in which the validity or enforceability of this Agreement is contested, I agree that the non-prevailing party will pay all attorney’s fees and costs of the parties seeking to uphold this Agreement.

I hereby authorize NBRC to publish photographs taken of me for use in the NBRC’s print, online, social media, and video-based marketing materials, as well as other NBRC and partner publications. I hereby release and hold harmless NBRC from any reasonable expectation of privacy or confidentiality associated with the images specified above.

I HAVE FULLY INFORMED MYSELF OF THE CONTENTS OF THIS AGREEMENT BY READING IT BEFORE SIGNING IT. NO ORAL REPRESENTATIONS, STATEMENTS OR OTHER INDUCEMENTS TO SIGN THIS RELEASE HAVE BEEN MADE APART FROM WHAT IS CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A CONTRACT THAT AFFECTS MY LEGAL RIGHTS AND I SIGN IT OF MY OWN FREE WILL.

Swimming Skills(Required)

I will complete a Swim Test under the supervision of a Lifeguard / Water Safety Instructor and bring a copy of my signed swim test certificate to the first day of class.

Today's Date(Required)

Participant Signature(Required)

Today's Date(Required)

Parent/Guardian Signature(Required)

Total

Comment

Summer Programs +

STEM to Stern +