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Masters Club Sweep

Overview

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The goal of the Masters Program is to improve the rowing ability and fitness level of rowers with a wide range of technical ability and fitness levels. Each practice session is focused on building each rower’s technique, endurance, and strength on and off the water. 

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Every rower should (when leaving a practice) be able to say to themselves either, “I learned something new today that will help improve my technique” or “I got a good workout in today that will help my speed and endurance,” and preferably both.  

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Program Structure

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Masters Program practices may include both sculling (in doubles or quads) and sweep rowing (in pairs, fours, and eights), based on demand, safety concerns, and coaching availability.

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Coaches will be ready to provide additional off-the-water training suggestions, if asked by program participants.

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Racing at regattas is an excellent way of measuring improvement over the course of the season, as well as meeting the Club’s Mission of visibility and outreach; therefore participation at regattas is encouraged, but not required.  Details on racing can be found below.

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Program Schedule

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The 2022 Masters sweep schedule is being developed. Check back soon for dates! The season starts in early April and continues through the first week of November.

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For 2021, the practice schedule was:

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  • Mornings: Tuesdays and Thursdays (twice a week) 5:15 AM - 7:00 AM

  • Evenings: Monday - Thursday (four times a week) 6:15 PM - 8:00 PM

  • Weekend Morning: Sundays 9:15 AM - 11:00 AM

 

Members of the Masters Program can attend any practice their schedule allows; participants can row both in the morning and evening, even on the same day. This allows rowers increased flexibility to try new coaches by attending different practice times that they choose. 

 

The practice schedule is subject to change dependent on demand and shell and  coaching availability.

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Cost

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For DC Strokes members not currently enrolled in any program, the program fee for 2021 is $675. Payment in 3 monthly installments is available.

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Students enrolled full time receive a 50 % discount on all Program Fees. Dedicated coxswains do not pay program fees.

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As always, additional payment plans and discounts are available for those with financial hardships. Please contact the treasurer at treasurer@dcstrokes.org for more information.

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Racing

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Preparing for racing is strongly encouraged in the Masters Program.  Whereas in the past establishing and preparing racing lineups fell primarily on the Program Coaches, this Masters Program structure moves the onus more onto the rowers wishing to race.

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Coaches or rowers can propose a race lineup, with the lineup having a goal regatta to prepare for.  Over the course of Masters Program practices, a set of rowers may be self-identified or identified by the coaches that feel ready to put the extra effort into preparing to race.

Sweep

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Program Offerings

Learn to Row

Novice Program

Overview

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Registration will open after Learn to Row sessions complete.

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Finished the Learn to Row Program and ready for more? The Novice Program is for new rowers to advance their skills, build fitness, and have opportunities to race. People with previous rowing experience but who have not rowed in several years also might consider the Novice Program.

 

The Novice Program focuses on building rower technique and fitness throughout the season. Novice team members are asked to attend as many practices as possible; two sessions a week is considered a minimum.


Novices are strongly encouraged to participate in at least one sprint race (summer) and one head race (a longer race that typically occurs in the fall).

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Rowers who complete the Novice Program will be prepared to join the Evening Sweep program the following season.

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What You Will Learn

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  • Deeper knowledge of rowing basics

  • Equipment care

  • How to row in smaller boats (four-person shells)

  • Coxswain basics

  • Training for races

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2024 Schedule

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June 3 through October 31

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings, 6:15–8 p.m.

Sunday mornings, 8:00–9:45 a.m.

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Fees

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$450 for June 3 through October 31

plus credit card fees

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Participants also must be current DC Strokes members ($50 for 2023), as well as have a current US Rowing waiver ($25 for most rowers).

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Dedicated coxswains can have their Program fees waived, and may be offered the opportunity to fill a boat and row one out of every ten or so practices.

 
How to register

 

  1. Log in to Boathouse Connect.

  2. Click on the Groups dropdown in the left-side navigation bar. Then click My Groups.

  3. You will see a list of groups.

  4. First, you have to join the DC Strokes membership group. Click on the group called 2024 DC Strokes Membership. Then click Join Group.

  5. Next, you need to join the novice sweep group. Click on the group called 2024 Sweep - Novice. Then click Join Group.​

  6. You're done! The payment method that you entered during account creation will be charged the registration fee. You don't need to do anything else.

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Questions

Please reach out to Kevin, Programs Director, at programs@dcstrokes.org with questions.

Novice Program

Club Sweep

Overview

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How to register for club sweep

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The Club Sweep program offers rowers with varying degrees of experience and abilities the opportunity to receive four days a week of professionally coached rowing, with several opportunities to compete in regattas. To row with Club Sweep, an individual must have completed a Learn to Row program and Novice Season or have prior rowing experience.

 

The purpose of the Club Sweep program is to help rowers improve their technique, and increase their strength and fitness. While participating in regattas is not required of those in the program, it is encouraged. Participants are expected to have a desire to continuously improve.

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If you are interested in being a dedicated cox, we offer a significant incentive discount on program fees.

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2024 Schedule

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Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings, 5:20–7 a.m.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings, 6:15–8 p.m.

Sunday mornings, 8:00–9:45 a.m.

April 1 through late October 31

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Fees

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$1,035 for full 2024 year (a payment plan available)

plus credit card fees

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Participants also must be current DC Strokes members ($50 for 2024), as well as have a current US Rowing waiver ($25 for new registrants, $20 for renewals).

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Questions

Please reach out to Kevin, Programs Director, at programs@dcstrokes.org with questions.

Evening Sweep
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