Bainbridge Island Rowing is proud to offer seasonal programs throughout the year to High School students from all across Kitsap County. No prior rowing experience is required to join, and our junior teams accept new rowers during every rowing season.
Intro programs are also available for middle school students interested in getting a head start on their rowing experience. Learn more about our Middle School rowing programs.
— Get Registered —
Registering late for Spring 2026?
Contact the BIR Programs Coordinator directly to confirm your seat in the boat.
You will need the the following items to register:
- USRowing Championship membership:
- Log in to USRowing. Make sure your rower’s membership is current and connected to BIR (club code KRCBC).
- You will need your rower’s membership number and expiration date.
- Valid passport information
- Current Medical Eligibility Form signed by your medical provider (valid for 2 years)
- Rower headshot
- Your rower needs to be present for required signatures
Once your registration form is processed, you will be billed through your iCrew account.
High School Programs
Key Dates
2/2 — Spring rowing begins
2/6 — Parent meeting: Join us for happy hour!
2/7 — Waterfront Park Work Party (BI Parks & Trails Foundation)
2/11 — College Rowing Seminar with Bruce & Walker
2/16 – 2/20 — BISD Mid-Winter Break
2/21 — Ergopalooza (Adults & Juniors)
3/2 — Spring regatta fees due (if paying separately)
3/7 — Vancouver Lake Sprints, Vancouver WA
3/28 — Sammamish Scrimmage, Redmond WA
4/6 – 4/10 — BISD Spring Break
4/18 — Home Scrimmage, Eagle Harbor
4/24 – 4/26 — Brentwood Regatta, Mill Bay BC
5/25 — Memorial Day Holiday
5/2 — Opening Day, UW
5/14 – 5/17 — NW Regionals, Vancouver WA
5/18 — Spring rowing ends
6/8 – 6/14 — Junior National Championships, Sarasota FL
6/13 — BISD Graduation
2026 Season Dates
Spring Rowing: Feb 2 – May 18
Summer Camps: June 22 – Aug 1
Fall Rowing: Sept 8 – Nov 1
Winter Fitness: Nov 9 – Feb 2027
- Spring schedule: Monday – Friday, 3:45 – 6:15PM
- All programs run 5 days/ week
- Summer camps are optional 2 week sessions
- Winter training is split between the boathouse and Elevate Strength & Conditioning
Bainbridge Island Rowing
Stan Pocock Rowing Center
281 Brien Drive SE
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
Spring Racing Opportunities
- Vancouver Lake Sprints, Vancouver WA: 3/7
- Sammamish Scrimmage, Redmond WA: 3/28
- Home Scrimmage, Eagle Harbor: 4/18
- Brentwood Regatta, Mill Bay BC: 4/24 – 4/26 +
- Opening Day, UW: 5/2 *
- NW Regionals, Vancouver WA: 5/14 – 5/17 +
- Junior National Championships, Sarasota FL: 6/8 – 6/14 *+
* Open to select Varsity rowers only
+ Includes group travel logistics
BIR competes regionally at a mostly recurring list of USRowing sanctioned regattas and local scrimmages. Spring season has a sprint focus while fall is known for longer head races. Know that a handful of racing opportunities are limited to select varsity rowers.
The USRowing Competition Category Policy outlines how athletes are classified for competition under mandates from the USOPC. It defines eligibility for Women’s, Men’s, Open Gender, and Mixed categories and provides administrative guidance for registration, confidentiality, and dispute resolution. Please note that this policy has changed for 2026 in compliance with Executive Order 14201.
Team Structure
Varsity and Novice teams are organized by gender. Because athletes compete by age group at regattas, it’s not uncommon for Varsity and Novice rowers to find themselves in mixed lineups. BIR has historically been a NO-CUT sport.
Varsity Coaches: Walker Hauptman, Chelsea Vessenes
Novice Coaches: Sue Entress, John Michael Najarian
Uniforms
The basic required uniform is a unisuit OR a tank and shorts. BIR members order new uniform pieces through 776BC. All current and legacy uniform designs are acceptable for USRowing sanctioned events.
- Varsity rowers are required to have a unisuit.
- Novice rowers will be issued a BIR racing jersey to be worn at regattas. Purchasing a personal uniform is optional.
Click here to view the 776BC Club Shop and access our year-round Spiritwear shop.
Program Costs
Member dues give you access to all member communications, resources and programming as well as a voting voice for club business. Program fees cover everything from coach and staff time to equipment maintenance and safety launch fuel.
| Spring 2026 | Summer 2026 | Fall 2026 | Winter 2026/27 | |
| Member Dues | $80 | – | $80 | – |
| Program Fee | $1666 | $581/ camp | $1279 | $781 |
| Regatta Fee + | $1510 | – | TBC | – |
+ Spring Regatta Fee includes bus and ferry transportation, hotel costs, equipment transport, regatta kitchen meals and entry fees for 4 off-island regattas. Note that one-off racing opportunities including Junior Nationals will be billed separately closer to the actual event.
Learn more about summer camps.
Refund Policy
Week 1 – 2: full refund
Week 3 – 4: 50% refund
Week 5 +: no refund
Junior Graduates – Summer Rowing
BIR Alumni are welcome to join Adult rowing sessions over the summer months. Contact the BIR Program Coordinator directly to get registered.
| Seasonal Member Dues: Summer | June – Sept | $45 |
| Summer Rowing Punch Card | 10 rows, valid 2 years | $154 |
Financial Assistance
Bainbridge Island Rowing is committed to making rowing available to all members of our Kitsap County community and financial assistance is available to those with demonstrated need. Click here to learn more.
Rower & Parent Resources
- Parent Handbook
- Travel & SafeSport Policy
- How to Survive a Regatta
- A Beginner’s Guide to Healthy Rowing
- BIR Parents Facebook Group (private)
- Junior Guest Rower General Waiver
