2025/2026 VIRC Youth Winter Program
Ages 13 - 19; Grades 8 - 12
Dates: November 10, 2025 - January 31, 2026
There will be two weeks off in the middle of the Winter Season for the holidays
Break Dates: December 22, 2025 - January 3, 2026
Tuesday - Friday 3:15 PM — 5:45 PM
Saturday 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Optional Mondays 3:15 - 5:45 for experienced ONLY
Cost: $500
Registration for Winter 2025/2026 Cutoff Date: November 22, 2025
Practice Schedule
*Financial aid available, see below.
Optional Indoor Racing
The NW Ergomania event hosted by Tacoma Rowing falls during our week off between seasons. This event is open to anyone on the team, novice and experienced. Coaches will help any athletes who wish to race register, and encourage athletes to go if they are interested in setting a baseline 2k for the spring ahead of the season.
program Overview
Winter conditioning prioritizes indoor/dry land training. Practices are centered around weights, erging, running and biking. We train 5-6 days a week depending on the age and experience of the rower. Our goal is to provide training tailored to each age group's needs. Younger athletes will focus on fundamentals and strength training, while older athletes will be dedicated to building up strength and endurance through weights and long erg sessions. Water days are dependent on weather and athletes should be prepared to pivot to land workouts at the boathouse (running shoes and warm layers are a must).
Winter season is all about consistent attendance, hard work, and dedication to preparation. The effort that rowers invest during the winter months makes them successful in achieving their goals during the spring season. It is a critical season for building personal fitness and team chemistry in preparation for spring.
New Rowers (Novices):
Novice rowers - including those who joined in fall - will train alongside older athletes at the Indoor Training Center, but will remain a separate squad during water practices. There may be opportunities to row up in mixed squad lineups as they progress throughout the season.
Youth interested in coxing should reach out to Delany Steele at director@vashoncrew.com.
Brand new rowers (youth in middle or high school ages 13-19 with no rowing experience who did not row in fall) are welcome to sign up before November 22, 2025.
Head Coach: Ben Steele
Assistant Coach: Aidan Teachout
Assistant Coach: Maya Krah
Novice Coach: Tori Hu
Registration Covers:
Coached practices Monday* through Saturday
*Mondays are open to experienced rowers only. This does not include novice rowers who joined Fall 2025, they will remain in novice status until the end of Spring 2026 and are not considered experienced until then.
Please note: USRowing Membership (required for racing) and all travel costs (ferry, transportation/carpooling to and from regattas) are not included in the registration. Annual USRowing Memberships purchased during fall season are good until the following fall.
Financial Aid
Scholarships are available based upon need and funding availability.
Click here to complete your confidential application prior to registering your rower if possible.
All applications are evaluated by our partners at the George Pocock Rowing Foundation (GPRF); no one at VIRC sees the applications.