Youth Rowing
Summer 2025
LHRC seeks to introduce all of Litchfield County to the joy of sweep rowing and sculling. Rowing is not a sport that you need to start at an early age, you can join anytime! Our club offers programs for athletes starting in 6th grade to age 100+ and everyone in between.
Please read the program descriptions carefully. If you have any questions, contact Head Coach Drew Combs at director@litchfieldhillsrowing.org
If you anticipate that you will apply for financial aid, please do not sign up for a program. Instead, start the financial aid application now.
High school programs are for athletes entering high school to current collegians (Youth/U19). All experience levels are welcome, including new rowers.
Our programs run five days a week (Monday through Friday) and teach both sculling and sweeping to help each athlete become a well-rounded oarsperson. Practices will be a mix of technique development, video breakdowns, and workouts on the water and land.
U23 athletes looking for more sustained training are welcome to sign up for the youth/ U19 programs.
Regattas: Experienced high school athletes will have the option to race at two regattas this summer:
Philadelphia Youth Regatta (Philadelphia, PA) on July 19th
Royal Canadian Henley Regatta (St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada) from August 3rd to August 10th.
Race Fees are not included in program costs.
U23 programs are for experienced rowers who want to enhance their summer training in a supportive and flexible environment.
Rowers can bring their own workouts or ask the coach on hand for technique feedback, drill suggestions, or training ideas. Practices run Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 6:15 - 7:45 AM, with a focus on small boats. Ergs are also available outside of youth practice times. If you’re home from school and looking to stay race-ready, LHRC welcomes you to train on Bantam Lake this summer!
Athletes must have prior rowing experience.
Discounted rates at Litchfield Hills Fitness (LHF) are available for current Litchfield Hills athletes and alumni.
U23 athletes looking for more sustained training are welcome to sign up for the youth/ U19 programs
Regattas: U23 athletes will have the option to race at the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta (St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada) from August 3rd to August 10th.
U23 athletes interested in attending Canadian Henley must be signed up for either the Full Summer or July Start program options.
Race Fees are not included in program costs.
Middle school programs (Dev/Development) are for athletes entering 6th grade to 8th grade. All experience levels are welcome, including new rowers.
In addition to our traditional summer programs, we are excited to continue to partner with the Litchfield Parks and Rec department to offer week-long gROW learn-to-row programs for new athletes ages 12-16. SIGN UP HERE!
Reminder: If you anticipate that you will apply for financial aid, please start the financial aid application now and do not sign up for a program via the links below.
Mark your calendars for our Annual Celebration of Summer Regatta, the Head of the Swain, which will occur this year on August 16th on our very own Bantam Lake!
PROGRAMS
All Athletes must be USRowing members. Sign Up HERE! Racing athletes must have a Championship level membership. Dev program athletes will be fine with the Development basic membership. Our Club Code is PPCCS.
High School/ U19 Athletes
High School/ U19:
U19 athletes who have rowed and want to train to race/ get in a great workout while honing their skills. You can sign up for each session individually or for all three summer sessions together. U23 athletes looking for more sustained training are welcome to sign up for these programs.
*Athletes born in 2007 or later are considered U19 per USRowing as they will not turn 19 this calendar year.
*Athletes who wish to attend Philly Youth Regatta must be signed up for both sessions 1 & 2.
*Athletes who wish to attend the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta must be registered for all 3 sessions through one of the following options:
Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/Friday
Session 1: 6/16 - 7/3, 3:40pm - 6:00pm through the end of the school year, then 8:15am - 10:45am SIGN UP!
Session 2: 7/7 - 7/25, 8:15am - 10:45am SIGN UP!
Session 3: 7/28 - 8/16 8:15am - 10:45am SIGN UP!
Full Summer: 6/16 - 8/16 SIGN UP
If you anticipate that you will apply for financial aid, please start the financial aid application now.
High School Learn-to-Row:
Athletes who are in or entering high school and want to give rowing a try before committing to a full session.
Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/Friday
If you anticipate that you will apply for financial aid, please start the financial aid application now.
U23 Program
Home from school and looking to stay race-ready? LHRC welcomes college athletes to train on Bantam Lake this summer. Our U23 option is designed for experienced rowers who want to enhance their summer training in a supportive and flexible environment.
Rowers can bring their own workouts or ask the coach on hand for technique feedback, drill suggestions, or training ideas. Practices run Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 6:15–7:45 AM, with a focus on small boats. Ergs are also available outside of youth practice times.
*Athletes must have prior rowing experience. Discounted rates at Litchfield Hills Fitness (LHF) are available for current Litchfield Hills athletes and alumni.
*U23 athletes looking for more sustained training are welcome to sign up for the youth/U19 programs.
*Athletes who wish to attend the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta must be registered for the Full Summer or July Start program options.
Monday/Wednesday/Friday
Full Summer: 6/23 - 8/22, 6:15am - 7:45am SIGN UP!
July Start: 7/14 - 8/22, 6:15am - 7:45am SIGN UP!
August Program: 7/28 - 8/22, 6:15am - 7:45am SIGN UP!
If you anticipate that you will apply for financial aid, please start the financial aid application now.
Middle School Development Program
The Development Program is open to 6th, 7th & 8th-grade athletes and is the perfect way to discover the sport of rowing. Designed for beginners, this program focuses on learning rowing fundamentals through fun, team-oriented practices that also support personal growth and social-emotional learning. No prior experience is needed. Young champions! Our summer programs will introduce you to rowing or keep encouraging your passion for our sport. We hope you and all your friends will come and have fun in boats on the lake this summer!
Dev/Middle School Learn-to-Row:
Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/Friday
If you anticipate that you will apply for financial aid, please start the financial aid application now.
Want to see if rowing is a good fit before signing up? Join us for one of our 3-day learn-to-row sessions this summer. These sessions are available for athletes in grades 6 through 9 and offer a fun, no-pressure chance to get out on the water and try something new!
Try It First! 3-day Learn-to-Row Sessions
Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday
Session 1: 6/17 - 6/19, 11:00am - 12:15pm SIGN UP!
Session 2: 6/24 - 6/26, 11:00am - 12:15pm SIGN UP!
Session 3: 7/22 - 7/24, 11:00am - 12:15pm SIGN UP!
Session 4: 7/29 - 7/31, 11:00am - 12:15pm SIGN UP!
Session 5: 8/12 - 8/14, 11:00am - 12:15pm SIGN UP!
gROW
We are excited to continue our gROW initiative that we run in partnership with Litchfield Park and Rec! For children in grades 6-9, our gRow program will teach young athletes the fundamentals of rowing while developing a growth mindset with physical, social, and emotional learning. This unique program runs in three-day sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday
7/8 - 7/10, 10:00am - 12:30pm
7/15 - 7/17, 10:00am - 12:30pm
Take a look at what a typical day as a gROW camper looks like!
All athletes must come to practice ready to train. Wear fitted athletic attire (no loose or baggy clothing) and bring a bag with dry clothes for after practice—this is a water sport, and you will get wet.
Essentials to pack:
A post-practice snack
Hat, sunglasses, and sunblock
At least 1 liter of water in a bottle (covered by a sock)
Note: LHRC does not have running water.
