Bainbridge Island Rowing offers Juniors rowing programs year-round to young athletes aged 14 to 18 and in Grades 9 though 12. Introductory programs are offered to 8th Grade students in advance of their 9th Grade start. New rowers are accepted during any rowing season, and no prior rowing experience is required.
BIR is a community-based SafeSport organization and actively welcomes high school athletes from all across Kitsap County to our Eagle Harbor home.
Rowing Seasons
These follow the scholastic calendar, and peak each year at the end of Spring Season with the USRowing Regional and National Youth Championships in May & June.
Click below for more details about each rowing season, including all relevant fees, participation requirements and schedules.
- Fall Season: Early September through early November
- Winter Season: Mid-November through January
- Spring Season: January through Mid-June
- Summer Season: Late June through August
Registration
Registration links can be found on each season’s page, which can be accessed from the drop-down menu under Programs > Juniors.
Team Selection Criteria
High school rowing is growing in popularity by leaps and bounds, and BIR is committed to supporting the athletic development of youth rowers. BIR has typically been able to include ALL interested rowers into our programs! The information below is simply a guideline for how team selection will be made if interest outweighs our ability to safely run on-water programs.
Due to the current limitations of equipment, facilities, and coaching staff, as well as safety considerations on our busy waterway, participation is currently capped at a maximum of 114 athletes.
Again, BIR has typically been a NO-CUT sport and able to include ALL interested rowers into our programs. Should registration exceed these participation levels, coaches will make their team selections during the first two weeks of practice for Varsity rowers and the first week of practice for Novice rowers. Rowers will be promptly notified of the coaches decision via e-mail.
Team selections are based on some or all of the following criteria:
- Raw and/or weight-adjusted ergometer scores (Specifically the 2000 meter times in Spring Season)
- Running Times (over 1 mile)
- Technical ability in the boat
- Seat racing
- Strength-to-size ratio
- Coxing ability, temperament, and capacity to project voice and authority
- Positive attitude, sportsmanship, and general cooperative ‘can-do’ spirit.
Uniforms
VARSITY – Unis and tech shirt are required. Uniforms are ordered through JL Racing during specific time-windows in early Spring and Fall. Order during those timeframes (we’ll let you know when!).
NOVICES – All Novice rowers will not be required to order a uni for this fall. Novices will be wearing their practice jerseys for all regattas this fall. There will be a $20 fee for rowers needing a new jersey. IF you would like to order a uni, you can! Follow the link listed above to the Team Store and any items you order will be delivered to your rower at a practice. There will be another opportunity in the spring to order a uni.
Information for Rowers and Parents
BIR highly recommends that all Junior rowers and parents review the following resources prior to beginning a rowing program.
- BIR Parent Handbook provides a broad look at the sport of rowing and specifics of BIR’s Juniors Programs.
- BIR Travel & SafeSport Policy covers the conduct and safety rules for all members of BIR teams while traveling together off-island.
- BIR Key Dates contains a summary of BIR’s annual events.
- How to Survive a Regatta is full of useful tips and techniques for parents and supporters of junior rowers.
- A Beginner’s Guide to Healthy Rowing offers some good health and safety tips for those new to the sport.
Juniors Parent Leadership Team
These are the volunteer BIR parents coordinating everything you can think of in our Juniors programs – See more at the BIR Juniors Parent Leadership page, and also know that they can also be contacted quickly via the private Bainbridge Rowing Parents Facebook Group (apply for access)
Additional Information and Links
Visit the Forms & Documents page for any additional forms not linked on this page, including the BIR bylaws and policies, the About section for more about Bainbridge Island Rowing in general, and the Rowing 101 page and additional Rowing Links page for more information useful to those new to the sport.