For over a century, rowing on the Rock River has provided participants a new “view” of the river. After you have crewed on the ROCK, you will know what unites rowers everywhere. The coordination, camaraderie, sense of purpose, and total body workout keep the tradition alive.
Rockford YMCA Rowing Club
As a program of the YMCA of Rock River Valley, the mission of the Rockford YMCA Rowing Club (RYRC) is to promote the sport of rowing in all its forms, including competitive, wellness, and adaptive, under the highest standards to all who are interested in a safe, healthy, and fun manner.
The following rowing seasons are available to participate in:
– Jr. Rowing: available for ages 13-18
– Family Rowing: available for a parent/adult & a child to row together
– College Rowing: available for college-aged adults to participate in
– Masters Rowing: available for adults
Benefits of Rowing
Looking to improve strength, flexibility, balance, and toughness during the summer? Then we are looking for you!
Rowing is both a physically challenging sport and a fun and unique experience. It offers crew members a great workout to start their days, as well as an extraordinary view of the city of Rockford and the natural world that twines through it. Rowing is an especially great sport for teens and young adults as it hones responsibility, independent decision-making, leadership, and teamwork skills.
Learn to Row
Come and try the wonderful sport of rowing! We offer a one-week trial for only $50 – if you choose to continue, you can join the Learn-to-Row Summer Session and your $50 will be credited towards the $250 total.
During the Discovery Week, athletes will learn the basics of rowing and boat handling, with a continued emphasis on water safety. To learn more, contact Jane Johnson at janejohnson@rockriverymca.org.
Jr. Rowing
Join the Jr. Rowing Team and compete in summer and fall regattas. The season runs from June through October, and ends with the Head of the Rock Regatta on our very own Rock River. For ages 13-18. High school athletes can earn a Varsity Letter for their school.
To learn more, contact Coach Carrie Morelock at cmorelock@rockriverymca.org.
Boat Storage
Need a place to store your boat – we have space in our boathouse. We offer storage for the season starting at $100.
For more information, contact:
Jane Johnson
Rowing Director
janejohnson@rockriverymca.org
Head of the Rock Regatta
Steeped in tradition, our Rowing Crew plays host to the Head of the Rock Regatta every October. This decades-old event draws more than 2,000 rowers from across the country and more than 5,000 spectators to the banks of the Rock River.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
We practice in the morning when the water is calm and boat traffic is light.
