Union Rowing Club Junior Learn-to-Row Program 2026
To register for Learn to Row or the URC Junior Squad 2026/2027 season please complete this form
Union Rowing club offers school aged novices to row in a crew together. Rowers come from a variety of schools and are open for any secondary aged student. This starts with a 4 week Learn to Row programme with the intention that rowers continue to compete in regattas together over the season.
This is open to all Yr 9-13 students, boys and girls, who would be interested in rowing or being a coxswain and can be from any school. The focus is on learning new skills, getting fit and having lots of fun at regattas!
Rowing is a fantastic sport which gives all students the opportunity to start on an even playing field given everyone comes into it with no experience. Rowing has so many benefits from health and fitness, making lifelong friends, having fun, travelling and competing and developing life skills such as resilience and teamwork.
Over 150 schools around New Zealand compete in rowing through school or club affiliations and there is a large rowing community in Canterbury. The Union Rowing Club has the capacity and equipment to support us. Following Learn to row, if you wish to commit to the full season, rowers will become members of the club and will have full access to all equipment, coaching, training squads and facilities that they have. Later in the season, if rowers come from the same schools, they can also compete at school regattas. Union RC is based at Kerrs Reach on the Avon River.
FAQ and Common assumptions about Rowing
You have to get up at 5am everyday; False, There may be the odd early start at regattas but most training sessions are after school. If you commit for the season, there may be some fitness training at school in the mornings but will not be 5am, more like 7.30am!
Rowing is a time consuming sport; True and false - Yes, there is some commitment required but as newbies for Learn to row it will be three times a week. If you row for the season it will continue 2-3 times a week, then build over the season to 3-4 training sessions a week (Mix of on water and fitness training.) Regattas can be time consuming as they require travel and are on the weekend. The focus is going to be on having fun and growing a passion for the sport rather than hours of commitment.
You can’t play other sports; Ideally you aren’t heavily involved in multiple sports throughout the rowing season. One other sport is manageable and it will be up to you to communicate your load to avoid overdoing things. We will do our best for you to finish up winter sport before fully committing.
You have to bike a lot; True, most schools in Christchurch require their rowers to bike to/from Kerrs Reach during the season. Depending on where you are coming from, carpooling is a great option.
When is the rowing season? The main rowing season (for school and club rowers) starts in September and finishes in Feb/March. The Club season generally runs through to February and is then followed by the School season through to March/April, with the finale of the season being the Maadi Cup (National Secondary Schools Regatta). Only selected rowers can attend Maadi and we don’t usually take novice rowers.
Do we get to attend regattas? Yes, if you are wanting to commit to a season, the aim would be to attend 4-6 regattas over the course of the season based in Christchurch, Ashburton and Twizel. Regattas are generally held over the weekends and would require the team to travel for the day or for the weekend. We would be representing Union Rowing Club at club regattas.
Aoraki 1000m Regatta, Twizel, 31st Oct - 1st Nov PERFECT FOR NOVICES AS RACES ARE MIXED & SHORTER
Ashburton Regatta, Ashburton - Lake Hood, 28th-29th November
Otago Championships, Twizel 12th-13th December
Canterbury Championships, Twizel, 16th-17th January
South Island Championships, Twizel, 30th-31st January
NZ Rowing Championships, Twizel, 10-13th February (Selected club crews only)
South Island Secondary Schools - Twizel, 26th-28th February (Affiliated school rowers only)
NZ Secondary Schools Rowing Championships - Lake Karapiro, 15-21st March (Selected school rowers only)
How much will it cost? A common assumption is that rowing is an expensive sport - it can be but it doesn’t have to be excessive especially when supported by a club system.This season we will aim to set up a parents fundraising committee but this would need to be led and directed by rowers and parents. Here is an outline of the 2022/23 base season costs:
What’s on offer:
Learn to row - 4 weeks total
Term 3, Weeks 4-7 (Starting Tues 11th August)
Three ‘on water’ rowing experiences each week; Tuesday afternoon 4.15pm-6.15pm, Thursday afternoon 4.15pm-6.15pm and Sunday 9am-11am
Cost: $150
Payable to URC account 03-0802-0096251-000 (Please use the rowers’ name and L2R as references.)
Payment is required prior to the first session
Full rowing season - September-March
Following the 4 week Learn to row, rowers can continue on as novices for the 2026/27 rowing season.
First regatta opportunity in Twizel - Saturday 31st Oct- Sunday 1st November. This regatta is perfect for beginners as it is mixed crews 50% novice/50% experienced and the races are only half the distance.
Starting at 3 training sessions a week, up to 4 later in the season.
Become a full club member of Union Rowing Club. The Learn to row fee is deducted from full season club fees.
Attend 4-6 regattas in Ashburton, Twizel or Lake Karapiro
Thanks for expressing an interest in rowing, any questions please get in touch, mansonl@hillmorton.school.nz
Lisa Manson