GGRC proudly offers the opportunity for students from our local communities to learn to row and compete in America's original collegiate sport. Rowing, although rich in its history and traditions, has until recently been enjoyed primarily by a privileged few. GGRC celebrates rowing by diversifying those who can participate and strives to provide an engaging experience through teamwork and competition.
Dates for the 2025 GGRC Youth Season:
Spring Rowing - March 17 - May 30
Summer Rowing - Session 1 - June 16 - July 10
Summer Rowing - Session 2 - July 14 - August 7
Fall Rowing - August 25 - October 15 (or October 26th - may extend the season one week)
2025 SPRING SEASON INFORMATION
Dates: March 17 - May 30
Practice Times: Monday- Friday from 4:00 - 6:00 pm
Coach: Rich Whelan
Race Schedule: GGRC will attend local races on the Mystic and Malden Rivers as well as regattas in Worcester and Lowell. The schedule for these races is in process and will be posted as soon as it is available.
Cost: The cost is $900 for the 2024 Spring Season. This includes coaching, equipment, transportation of equipment too and from regattas, and race fees. Athletes will need to join USRowing at the Championship Level - $65 for new members and $55 for renewing members. (The level of membership MAY change so please wait to purchase until the start of the rowing season. USRowing memberships are good for a calendar year from the date of joining.)
Uniforms: We will be requiring rowers to purchase a uniform “kit” for the season. Details on this will be posted.
BOTH NEW AND EXPERIENCED ROWERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO JOIN UP TO ROW WIITH GGRC - 8TH GRADE THROUGH SENIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL
2025 SUMMER SEASON INFORMATION:
Dates: Youth Summer Rowing takes place over two 4-week sessions.
Session 1 - June 16 - July 10
Session 2 - July 14 - August 7
Practice Times: Monday, Wednesday, & Thursday from 4:30 - 6:00 pm
Coach: Rich Whelan
Cost: $130 per session or $230 for both.
Will a rower be able to learn to row? YES! Novice rowers are welcome in Session 1, but cannot be accommodated in Session 2 as our rowers will be progressing and learning new skills throughout the summer.
2025 FALL SEASON INFORMATION:
Dates: August 26 - October 18
Practice Times: Monday- Friday from 4:00 - 6:00 pm
Coach: Rich Whelan & Caitlin Smith
Race Schedule*: We plan to attend the Springfield Rockrimmon, CRI Fall Classic Regatta, Textile River Regatta, New Hampshire Championships, and Head of the Charles - It is possible for the GGRC youth to attend a race at the end of October. Details are currently in the works.
Cost: Thanks to a donation from Gentle Giant Moving Company, the cost for rowers in Somerville, Everett, and Malden is $0. The cost for rowers outside of those cities is TBD - It depends on if we attend an extra race at the end of October. The fee includes coaching, equipment, transportation of equipment too and from regattas, and race fees.
*Subject to change
Gentle Giant Youth Rowing programs have been running since 2003. Each spring, summer, and fall season, high school students from GGRC’s partner cities Somerville, Everett and Malden, as well as many other cities and towns from the Mystic River Watershed, join together to compete as the GGRC Junior Giants.
Races include the Celebration Regatta in Lawrence, Methuen City Sprints, Festival Regatta, Cromwell Cup, Providence Sweeps & Sculls, Textile River Regatta, the New Hampshire Championships, the Head of the Charles, and more. All high school age youth are welcome.
Somerville High School has been a partner of the Gentle Giant Rowing Club every spring season since 2003.The SHS team rows out of the Blessing of the Bay Boathouse competing in the Massachusetts Public School Rowing Association. GGRC provides the rowing equipment and management, and the school department funds coaching stipends and the travel budget for the team.
Everett High School Crew started rowing in the Spring of 2014 and were partnered with the Somerville High School Highlanders to form the Somerville-Everett “High Tide”. EHS went independent from GGRC in 2021 and relocated to Rivergreen Park in Everett on the shore of the Malden River. GGRC assists EHS as needed and partners with them for the Fall rowing season.
Malden High School Crew has been a partner of the Gentle Giant Rowing Club every spring season since 2005. The Golden Tornados from Bloomberg Business Week Magazine’s 2009 “Best Place to Raise Your Kids” row from the Malden Rowing Center at 356 Commercial Street in Malden. They compete in the Massachusetts Public School Rowing Association. As of 2015, Malden High School is an independent program. GGRC remains involved with them by allowing them to borrow equipment as needed. as well as assisting with maintenance on their equipment.
