^ Capital Rowing also takes kids from DC public schools (maybe other areas too, I’m not sure).

If you’re mostly interested in a rowing program for your kid, there are clubs in the DC and MD areas that take kids/juniors from all over. DC National, Blair Rowing, Annapolis Jr Rowing and Baltimore Community rowing are examples.

Ah great detail...thanks so much for your good words

So you want to start a team from scratch? Start up costs would be pretty steep. Do you have access to a boathouse in which to store boats? You’ll have to buy the boats (a new 8 is at least $35k, but you could get a used one for half that). You will need more than one boat - maybe a quad, a 4+, a double, maybe some trainer singles. You need to buy oars, maybe used at $250 minimum apiece for an 8 that needs 8 oars. Like a PP said, you need a launch (small motor boat) or two for on-water coaching.

You have to pay to store the boats, for repairs, for coaching, entry to regattas, transportation, access to a boat trailer and a vehicle that can tow the trailer, someone who knows how to drive a rowing trailer…etc etc

My kid belongs to a very low budget regional rowing team (many high schools represented). We get cast off boats for cheap from local private schools, we use a city-owned boathouse, our coaches are basically college students, we get grant funding to cover some of our programming, and our fees are $900 per season. We never win, but the kids love it.

Big endeavor to start a club, but not impossible!

Anonymous wrote:Thanks to the PPs for costs. What is the easiest team to field at first...

Seems like the teams with smaller programs are more likely to have 4-person boats; the top public programs (Whitman, B-CC, Wilson, McLean, W-L, Wakefield, and Alexandria City) have 8-person boats. In Virginia you can check the VASRA sites for more information.

Anonymous wrote:You also need a trailer to take the boats to regattas, if you plan to compete. It's an expensive sport.

One would think a club would have them so its more the coaches, repairs and any fees to store them.

Anonymous wrote:You also need a trailer to take the boats to regattas, if you plan to compete. It's an expensive sport.

It is not cheap but certainly not expensive. Golf and tennis are cost much more than rowing.

You also need a trailer to take the boats to regattas, if you plan to compete. It's an expensive sport.

Anonymous wrote:What school is that? $2500 in Fall and Spring for us

But your club presumably already has boats. Start up costs will be higher. How much does an eight cost these days?

Thanks to the PPs for costs. What is the easiest team to field at first...

Ours is about 1k per season fall and spring. The school kicks in alot as well.

Anonymous wrote:What school is that? $2500 in Fall and Spring for us

LM. It's about $700 fall and $800 spring.

What school is that? $2500 in Fall and Spring for us

Well, you need to buy boats (to row, and a launch for the coach) and you need a boathouse to use. Then you need coaches. Ideally also a bus to take kids between the school and boathouse. Our school pays a ton for the use of a boathouse used by many college/HS teams, and rowers pay a fee of about $800 per season to participate. Public HS near Philly.

How expensive is it to start a high school rowing club? This would be for public high school. Some basic advice on early years would be appreciated. Thanks in advance for thoughts