For questions about rowing, please look at the FAQ below, or email a Coach!


For spring registration questions, check out our Spring Registration Tab.  For Fall Learn to Row, please click here.


For some quick information about WCC, check out this 3-min video created by our 2025 Captains!

Frequently Asked Questions

Here is a list of Frequently asked questions. Click on the question to display the answer.

Do you need to know anything about crew?

No..Nothing. We will teach you everything you need to know.

Do you need to know how to swim?

YES. This is a safety issue. The boats are difficult to tip, and a coach will always be following your boat in a motorized coaches launch with life preservers, throw lines and safety equipment. But you can't be too careful on the water so swimming ability is REQUIRED.

How long are practices?

Typically our Fall Learn to Row practices are about 1.5 hours on weekends, twice a week. Our Spring practices are about 2.0 hours, five days a week after school. .

Is practice ever canceled?

Rarely. In the case of high wind (white caps) or lightning, we will not go on the water, but we will have land practice. We do not cancel because of rain. When in doubt, check the website, TeamSnap, or listen to announcements.

What should I wear to practice?

Layers! A pair of old sneakers that can get wet, shorts and/or sweatpants that are snug (think spandex) to avoid becoming tangled in the wheels of your seat. Always be prepared to do some running and check the weather forecast.

Coxswains especially should wear adequate clothing to be warm. You are not moving like the rowers and so are more likely to get a chill on cold or wet days.

Are there medical conditions which could limit my participation in crew?

Crew is a demanding cardiovascular activity. Anyone with a heart murmur or circulatory condition should discuss participation with a doctor. Likewise, athletes with asthma or other respiratory conditions should discuss the severity of their condition with a doctor before participating, and ALWAYS bring their inhaler. Any muscular or physical conditions may cause issues with participating.

Your doctor will have to confirm it is medically safe for you to compete in the Spring WCC provides a medical form that your doctor needs to sign before the first day of practicd.

What is the time commitment for the Fall Learn to Row program?

Our fall season is intended to teach athletes the basics of our sport, and give them a chance to try it out. We will have practices twice a week during September & October. This season won't be too much of a workout, just an opportunity to learn things like rowing terminology, how to carry a boat, how to handle and maintain all equipment, and basic rowing technique. This program is designed to be a bridge to the spring season.

What are the time demands for crew during the Spring Season?

In total, our season runs from mid February - early June. We will start Winter training in mid February in the RCK weight room 5 days a week after school.

When the ice is off the river (by April 1st, hopefully) practices will be 5 days per week after school at our boathouse in Poughkeepsie, NY, next to Marist campus. Races begin in late April and run until the first week of June. A majority of our races are Saturday mornings, with a handful being during the week after school. On occasion, practices will also be on weekend mornings when we don’t have races.

We have busing to every after school practice (both RCK and the boathouse), but pick-up is required for the end of every practice. We do not have any busing for practices or races that are not on a school day, so we strongly encourage carpooling with teammates.

Can I miss practice in the spring?

As a rule, NO. It takes time to gain the skills and condition required to be a good rower.

We have limited flexibility around important events and activities during winter training. Crew is not like Basketball or Baseball in which new players can be inserted part way through the contest. So once we start rowing on the water, missing practice can jeopardize your seat in your boat and even possibly your boat's ability to row that day. In a crew race, the people who go out to start need to finish the race without substitution. During Novice year, missing practice is a bit more acceptable, but by the time the athletes have graduated to JV and especially to Varsity, they need to be at practice every day.

Can I participate in another sport?

Possibly, provided it is a fall or winter sport. For example, Basketball and Swimming overlap with winter training but do not conflict with the racing season, which is acceptable.

What is the typical race schedule?

Racing will begin around the end of April and go until the first week of June. Most races take place at the Hudson River Rowing Association Boathouse ("The Boathouse") in Poughkeepsie, NY. The boathouse houses many high school programs in our area including Poughkeepsie, Spackenkill, FD Roosevelt, Arlington, Our Lady of Lourdes, and Rhinebeck. The vast majority of races are on early on Saturday or Sunday mornings, with a few exceptions taking placing after school instead of practice. Anticipate at least one race per weekend from the last week in April to the first week in June.

We also a handful of away races. We generally visit Saratoga, NY once or twice a year, including State Championships during Mother's Day weekend in May. We also visit Syracuse once a year. Novices may race in Rockland for an all novice race in late May. The Saratoga and Syracuse races will require hotels as they are over multiple days, and more information on team hotels will be given at a parent meeting closer to the spring.

What happens if there's bad weather during a Regatta?

If there is bad weather during a Regatta the race may be Postponed, Rescheduled or Canceled. There is always a chance that the rower may not row in the Regatta due to bad weather or water.

Do all rowers and boats race at all races?

No. It is the discretion of our coaches whether a boat or athlete is race ready. Novice boats have been known to skip a race or 2 based on readiness. Please check with your coaches prior to making any non refundable hotel arrangements. ALL our team hotels have a 24 hour cancellation policy.