Seasons
Fall Rowing
The season runs from approximately one week prior to the beginning of the school year through late October. Practices take place after school Tuesday-Friday, and Saturday mornings. Most practices are at Vesper Boat Club. There are approximately three competitions (regattas) during the season held on the Schuylkill River.
Winter Training
Training takes place from December until mid-February and consists of weights, cardio and erging. Practices take place after school Monday-Friday on campus and at the nearby GFS Athletic Fields. Winter training culminates in an indoor Erg Competition in mid-February. There is no fee for winter training.
Spring Rowing
The season runs from late February through mid-May. Varsity practices take place after school Tuesday-Friday, and on Saturday mornings. Novice rowers will practice after school Monday-Tuesday, Thursday-Friday, and on Saturday mornings. Most practices take place at Vesper Boat Club but one erg practice a week is held on campus. Training during the second week of spring break is mandatory for all rowers (Varsity and Novice). Regatta competitions are held most Sundays in late March through mid-May. Some rowers will qualify and compete in national competitions in late May and June. There are additional travel costs and entry fees for rowing in national regattas.
Transportation
During the fall and spring seasons, there is a weekday shuttle that runs roundtrip from GFS Main Campus to Boathouse Row with a return to GFS Main Campus. Students are responsible for getting home from Boathouse Row on Saturdays, race days and during spring break training. Carpooling is recommended.
Requirements
Athletes new to rowing (Novices) must complete a learn-to-row program and show proof of swimming proficiency. Learn-to-row programs are offered by local rowing organizations and generally take two weeks to complete. They are typically offered in the summer and fall and occasionally in the late winter.
Athletes interested in joining GFS Crew should contact Brian Severi for details on how to fulfill these requirements.