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Junior rowing: a guide for parents

Your child wants to row. Here is what to expect from a UK club, and what the club will ask of you.

By Civil Digital, the team building BoatLog · Last updated

BoatLog is independent software from Civil Digital. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by British Rowing or any organisation named in this guide. Always check the current official guidance and follow your club's own procedures.

Is rowing safe for children?

Clubs follow British Rowing's safety guidance, RowSafe, and its safeguarding policy. Juniors are coached and supervised, and most clubs ask for a swim test and capsize drill before anyone goes out in a boat.

Ages and categories

Many clubs start juniors on the water around the start of secondary school. For racing, junior categories (J14, J15, J16 and so on) are based on age on 1 September before the competition. Ask your club which squad your child would join.

What the club will ask of you

  • Consent and emergency contact details.
  • Medical information that coaches need to know.
  • Club membership and, for racing, British Rowing membership.
  • Help with transport, and often volunteering at events.

How BoatLog helps

Clubs using BoatLog link each junior to a parent or guardian, so the right contact details are there in an emergency, and every outing is signed out and back in. Parents can give consent and manage their child's details from their own account.

BoatLog screenshot with example club data: BoatLog shows the club who's on the water right now, with the day's safety flag.
BoatLog shows the club who's on the water right now, with the day's safety flag. Example data from a fictional club.

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Questions

FAQ

What age can children start rowing?

It varies by club. Many start juniors on the water around the start of secondary school, often from about 11.

Does my child need to be able to swim to row?

Yes. Clubs expect rowers to be able to swim and usually run a short swim test.

What does J16 mean in rowing?

A junior age category for racing, based on age on 1 September before the competition. Check British Rowing's current rules for the exact definition.

Related

Guide: Rowing swim test and capsize drill: what clubs ask for What rowing clubs ask for before someone goes on the water: the swim test, the capsize drill, why clubs differ, and how to keep track of who has done them. Guide: Taking a junior squad to a regatta: a club checklist A checklist for taking a junior rowing squad to a regatta such as the National Schools' Regatta: safeguarding, consent, supervision, kit and travel. Guide: The rowing club welfare officer role: what it involves What a rowing club welfare officer does, the safeguarding handbooks to know, DBS checks, handling concerns, and a first-month checklist.

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