GMS Rowing Center has an active and highly successful Cadet (Middle School) and Junior (High School) rowing program. In this last year we had two rowers compete at the Junior Worlds in Beijing, had a record number of boats at the Youth National Championships and five of our students were awarded scholarships to college.

Students come from a wide number of local schools the greatest number from New Milford, Brookfield and Bridgewater. Students from outside this area include a number from Redding, Ridgefield, Danbury in the south, and Washington and Litchfield in the north.

The program is organized into on-water programs covering spring, summer and fall; each program lasts approximately 10 weeks duration. Cadets including Learn-to-Row programs run monthly from June through August. Winter Training (on-land) runs from mid-November through to early March providing a core base of strength and technique for rowers in the spring. It is a tremendous foundation for any aspiring student.

GMS also holds a spring camp in a warm state and through our Cadet program we provide a non-competitive introduction to rowing for middle school students.

GMS Rowing Center is open to any athlete who wants to join.

Summer Programs 2008

Learn to Row ages 12-17 Mon/Wed & Fri, monthly sessions

• Monday June 2nd 2008 – Friday June 27th 2008 or
• Monday July 7th 2008 – Friday August 1st 2008 or
• Monday August 4th – Friday August 29th 2008

Time: 3:30pm to 5:30pm
Fees: $300 per month for new rowers
           $250 for returning rowers-Tues/Wed/Thurs

1 week Learn to Row Camp ages 12-17 Mon-Fri

• Monday July 28th -Friday August 1st or
• Monday August 4th – Friday August 8th or
• Monday August 11th – Friday August 15th

Time: 9am-3pm
Fees: $350.00 per week (snacks & beverages provided)

High School Program (Experienced Rowers)

• Monday June 2nd 2008 – Friday August 8th 2008

Competitive & Elite:

• Monday-Friday $850.00 ($750 returning member)

Time:
Competitive - 3:30pm to 5:30pm
Elite - 7:00am – 9:00am

College program:
Monday June 2nd 2008 – Friday August 8th 2008

We also offer adult Learn to Row monthly programs and additional programs for all rowing abilities. Please check our webpage for more details.

Summer Season

Dates – Summer season 2008 will consist of three monthly courses:

• June 2nd - June 27th
• July 7th - August 1st
• August 4th - August 29th

Structure – Each participant will be evaluated at the beginning of the program and assigned to their level / ability. The two levels are: Development (Learn-to-Row), and Novice. They will be moved up into the Junior category when their coach considers they are ready.

Content – The program will focus on teaching new rowers the basics of the rowing stroke, proper care and use of the equipment, and preparation for competition. We will introduce students to “sweep” rowing (a technique where each athlete uses one oar). They will learn to row in fours (rowing shells with seats for four rowers plus a coxswain) and eights (rowing shells with seats for eight rowers plus a coxswain). During the season they will have some exposure to “sculling” (a technique where each athlete uses two smaller oars, one in each hand).

Racing – As rowers progress and develop, GMS will enter them in local regattas. Potential race sites vary and decisions will be made based on the skill level attained by the athlete we will organize scrimmages with other CT rowing clubs so that GMS Rowing Center athletes can measure their progress with other programs. (Please refer to Race Schedule side bar for the regatta schedule).

Daily Schedule – Two Sessions will be available Monday / Wednesday / Friday and Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday. Workouts start at 3:30 running until 5:30 daily.

Costs – The cost for the three day Summer Training Program is $250 per month (12 sessions).

Registration – Please complete the Registration, Code of Conduct, Medical Authorization & US Waiver Forms found in the Cadets section of the Information Side Bar.

Fall Season

Dates – The Fall Season 2008 will start on Monday, September 8th and finish on Friday, November 7th.

Structure – Each participant will be evaluated at the beginning of the Fall Season and assigned to their level / ability. The two levels are: Development (Learn-to-Row), and Novice. They will be moved up into the Junior Competitive category when their coach considers they are ready.

Content – The program will focus on teaching new rowers the basics of the rowing stroke, proper care and use of the equipment, safety and preparation for competition. We will introduce students to “sweep” rowing (a technique where each athlete uses one oar). They will learn to row in fours (rowing shells with seats for four rowers plus a coxswain) and eights (rowing shells with seats for eight rowers plus a coxswain). During the season they will have some exposure to “sculling” (a technique where each athlete uses two smaller oars, one in each hand).

Racing (Eligibility for Cadet boats vary and is subject to change) –
As rowers progress and develop, GMS will enter crews in appropriate local regattas. Potential race sites vary and decisions will be made based on the skill level attained by the athlete we will organize scrimmages with other CT rowing clubs so that GMS Rowing Center athletes can measure their progress with other programs.

Novice crews will likely get their first taste of racing by participating in “GMS Regatta & Sprint, The Riverfront Recapture” race in Hartford, CT as well as the “Head of the Housatonic” in Shelton, CT. (Please refer to Race Schedule side bar for the regatta schedule).

Daily Schedule – Sessions will be held daily Monday through Friday.

Costs - The cost for the three day Fall Training Program is $500. This fee is reduced to $450 for returning members. Additional discounts of $50 for the three day are available if you sign up a friend or new participant.

Registration – Please complete the Registration, Code of Conduct, Medical Authorization & US Waiver Forms found in the Cadets section of the Information Side Bar.

Winter Season

Dates – The Winter program will start on Monday, November 17th 2008 and will finish on Friday, March 6th 2009.

Content –

The Development group: Our Winter Training program is designed to build strength and endurance using a mixture of ergometer (rowing machine) work-outs and weights. For those new to rowing it also helps build technique without having to worry about balance enabling the student to quickly develop on water skills in the spring.

Each attendee will be tested on the ergometer. From this benchmark, individual performance targets can be set for the winter. In addition each rower will be given a free Lactate Acid Test (refer to Lactate Test side bar) which measures aerobic and anaerobic fitness levels. Lactate test results establish heart-rate ranges for each rower, which are used to guide the athletes as they train at varying levels of intensity. Participants in our program can expect marked improvement in aerobic capacity and endurance.

The Competitive & Elite groups: Refer to Junior Fall Program

Racing:
The main Cadet ‘regatta’ for indoor training is:

Connecticut Indoor Championships – this is planned for late January and is very much a Junior and College focused event.

Daily Schedule – Workouts will start at 3:30 running until 5:30 daily.

Costs – The cost for the 3-day a week program is $500 per returning rower and $550 for new members. An additional discount of $50 is available if you sign up a new member.

Registration – Please complete the Registration, Code of Conduct, Medical Authorization & US Waiver Forms found in the Cadets section of the Information Side Bar.

Spring Season

Dates – Spring season 2008 will start on Monday March 17th and end on Friday, May 30th. (No rowing will take place over the holiday week of April 16th to April 20th when a Junior Elite Camp will take place).

Structure – Each participant will be evaluated at the beginning of the Spring Season and assigned to their level / ability. The two levels are: Development (Learn-to-Row), and Novice. They will be moved up into the Junior category when their coach considers they are ready.

Content – The program will focus on teaching new rowers the basics of the rowing stroke, proper care and use of the equipment, and preparation for competition. We will introduce students to “sweep” rowing (a technique where each athlete uses one oar). They will learn to row in fours (rowing shells with seats for four rowers plus a coxswain) and eights (rowing shells with seats for eight rowers plus a coxswain). During the season they will have some exposure to “sculling” (a technique where each athlete uses two smaller oars, one in each hand).

Racing – As rowers progress and develop, GMS will enter them in local regattas. Potential race sites vary and decisions will be made based on the skill level attained by the athlete we will organize scrimmages with other CT rowing clubs so that GMS Rowing Center athletes can measure their progress with other programs. (Please refer to Race Schedule side bar for the regatta schedule).

Daily Schedule – Sessions will be held 3 days a week. Workouts start at 3:30 running until 5:30 pm daily.

Costs – The cost for the three day Spring Training Program is $500. This fee is reduced to $450 for returning members. Additional discounts of $50 for the three day are available if you sign up a friend or new participant.

Registration – Please complete the Registration, Code of Conduct, Medical Authorization & US Waiver Forms found in the Cadets section of the Information Side Bar.