“It’s a great art, is rowing. It’s the finest art there is. It’s a symphony of motion. And when you’re rowing well Why it’s nearing perfection - And when you reach perfection You’re touching the divine. It touches the you of you’s Which is your soul.”
ORU-PDX Junior Team includes committed and motivated middle school and high school students from all areas of Portland, ages 11-18 (6th-12th grade). Our team is consistently winning medals at US and International regattas, and we are always looking for those unique individuals who are passionate, confident, show commitment to rowing, and demonstrate respect of their coaches and teammates both on and off the water. Our rowers must display confidence in their skills, by keeping themselves and other rowers motivated and by practicing and encouraging a healthy balance between school and rowing life.
Before You JoiN
The information below is for students who have experience rowing. If you are new to the sport, we encourage you to complete a 2-week ORU summer Learn to Row camp session before making a commitment to joining the ORU junior team middle school program.
The camp sessions, offered every two weeks during the months of July through August, are designed to teach students the foundations of the sport, giving them them the opportunity to “try it out” and see if rowing is a good fit.
Team Training Overview
Fall Season (September thru October) - This is the “Head Race” season, where the club participates in several “Head racing” regattas. Head racing is essentially a long-distance time trial. The regatta courses are typically 3000 to 5000 meters in distance. Rather than lining up several boats and racing them head-to-head, competing crews are sent down the course one at a time. Typically, the interval between boats is about 15 – 20 seconds, which gives enough space for competitors to navigate the course in a secure and reliable way, while still being relatively close to get the feeling of a head-to-head race.
Winter Season (November thru February) - ORU crew team conducts winter training from November until late February, mainly inside the boat house and in the erg room. Our winter conditioning is focused primarily on building strength and endurance specific to rowing. The winter conditioning sessions commonly involve running, training using rowing machines (“ergs”), strength training, and circuit training.
Spring Season (March thru June) - Spring Training is the most important training period for our Junior Racing Team. Coaches are dedicated to lead rowers reach their highest level of performance. Rowers that are part of the racing team compete in various regattas, on a National and International level. The season culminates in May with the US Rowing Northwest Junior Regional Championships, taking place at Vancouver Lake, WA. Qualifying boats compete in the US Youth National Championships in June.
Summer Season (June thru August) - This season focuses on developing new rowing skills and enhancing existing skills in a fun and challenging atmosphere. Rowers that excel in their training are given the option to compete at one or two summer regattas, typically held in Washington state and Canada.
Practice Schedule and Fees
Our Junior Team includes dedicated young athletes who have been rowing less than one year. Our Junior Beginner Rowers will be encouraged to compete in local scrimmages within ORU and/or against other teams. Coaches may approach rowers and coxswains they feel are ready to be part of the ORU Racing Team. There is no attendance requirement, though the more practices you attend, the more you will develop as a rower.
Junior Team
Practice Days: 3 days -Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 4-6:30 pm
Cost: $195.00 per month (effective beginning March 1, 2022)
ORU Racing Team
Requirement: Participant has been rowing one year or more, and is 13 yrs or older.
Practice Days: 5 days - Monday through Friday, 4-6:30 pm
Cost: $250.00 per month
Fee Discounts
Second Junior Team family member receives $50/mo discount
Third Junior Team family member receives $75/mo discount
REQUIRED APPAREL FOR ALL ORU TEAM MEMBERS
ORU Unisuit (to be purchased from 776bc) for the 2024 Spring competition season.
Newer Team members who are chosen by the coaches to compete during the 2023 Fall Season and have not yet received their unisuits may instead wear:
Black Sport-Tek Posicharge Competitor Cotton Touch Tee (to be purchased directly from the Kadmark website)
Black trous/spandex shorts or black leggings (which may be purchased from any athletic retailer).
Interested in Joining the Team?
Complete the form and we will get back to you with next steps