JUNIORS
City is the place to get the full potential from young rowers and help them achieve their goals...whatever they are!
The Junior Squad at City of Cambridge Rowing Club is a vibrant and friendly community that brings together young athletes from complete beginners through to high-performance rowers competing at a national level. We welcome juniors up to Year 13 and pride ourselves on creating an inclusive, supportive and ambitious environment.
City has a proud history of junior rowing. Many of our current senior members - including our Junior Captain – first learned to row here before going on to row at university and beyond. Our community is built on junior athletes, committed volunteer parents, and our experienced team of CCRC coaches and coordinators.
Our clubhouse sits on the banks of the River Cam, giving us direct access to the water as well as a well-equipped gym, rowing machines, weights, and a large fleet of boats suitable for every stage of development.
If you’d like to find out more, join our mailing list, or register interest, please contact ccrcjuniors@gmail.com or fill in our Enquiry Form [link]​
Pathways & Training
Junior rowing at City is organised into three squads for different performance and experience levels. Beginners typically start in stable coxed quads with a coach on the bank and an experienced junior cox in the boat.
Beginners
Introducing juniors to the sport with a focus on teamwork and water confidence and technical groundwork.
Core Squad
Developing technique, fitness, and racing experience.
Performance Squad
Training at a higher intensity with multiple weekly sessions, erg tests, weights and selection for key events.
Juniors learn to row in sculls (two blades each) in a variety of boats: from singles (1x), doubles (2x) and quads (4x), and from age 15 upwards will also learn to sweep row (one blade).
All junior rowers are required to become British Rowing members, which ensures insurance cover, access to resources, and eligibility to race.
Many of our juniors continue rowing at university, with some going on to:
• University squads
• GB Rowing Team junior trials
• DiSE (Diploma in Sporting Excellence) programmes
People & Safeguarding
Running a junior squad of this size is only possible thanks to the hard work of coaches, coordinators, and parents.
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The safety and wellbeing of our juniors is paramount.
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All coaches and volunteers adhere to British Rowing safeguarding standards.
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Processes are in place to ensure training, racing, and social activities are safe, inclusive, and enjoyable.
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Key personnel are DBS checked
Will Schofield - Junior Cordinator
Tom Upton - Junior Head Coach
Michael Ruta - Director of Rowing
Tim Sallows - Role
Parents can get involved and play a vital role. We ask for help with:
• Bank-partying - cycling alongside crews to ensure safety.
• Fundraising & events - from baking cakes to assisting at our annual Junior Sculling Head
Costs
For up-to-date fees please refer to our main membership page.
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Subs and fees are split into a few categories:
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Club membership fees apply to all junior athletes: this can be paid annually or monthly by direct debit
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Once the athlete is ready for Performance Squad there is a supplement to cover additional training sessions and costs
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Race accounts are used to cover race entry fees and costs of boat transport: race accounts need to be kept in credit (link here)
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British Rowing membership is mandatory: currently £40/year
Racing
We compete both on the Cam and at events further afield. Juniors race at local head races and regattas as well as larger competitions nationally. Categories are based on age, gender, and boat class.
Key race formats include:
• Head races (timed processional races, usually in winter)
• Regattas (side-by-side sprint races, mainly in summer)
We manage transport of boats via trailers, with parents and volunteers supporting the logistics.
Racing requires a City race uniform and plenty of warm spares! See a suggested race-day kit list here [link]
Community & Communication
We believe rowing is as much about community as competition.
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We run an annual kick-off meeting each October where parents and athletes meet the coaching team, hear plans for the year, and ask questions.
A helpful glossary of rowing terms to make comms easier can be found here https://www.britishrowing.org/2017/03/a-glossary-of-rowing-lingo/
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Sessions are managed with advanced online tools and in-person meetups at the club.
Ludum App
All training sessions, sign-ups, and squad communications are managed through Ludum (link).
A forum for parents to ask questions, organise transport, and share information.
Clubroom
Parents are always welcome to wait in the clubhouse during sessions; tea, coffee, and a bar are available.
Key Dates for 2025/26 season:
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Squad Meeting - 8th October 2025
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Junior Sculling Head - March 21st 2026
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Training Camp - dates TBC
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Awards Night - xx October 2026
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Bumps – July x-x 2026
Kit
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No specific City kit is required for beginners. Just make sure it's not too loose-fitting
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Once juniors start racing, City kit (all-in-ones) is needed. Some loan kit is available.
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Always bring spare kit to water sessions (capsizes can happen!).
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Other essentials: water bottles, layers for cold weather, and sun block and hats for when it’s hot
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City merchandise is also available – perfect for Christmas gifts!
