FAQs

WHAT GRADES CAN JOIN THE TEAM?
Our team is open to 7th thru 12th grade, regardless of age. Summer camp athletes must be rising 7th grade or older to participate. To best ensure the love of the sport and proper growth, younger athletes are not allowed to join AJRA until they have reached at least 7th grade. 

I HAVE NEVER ROWED BEFORE, IS THAT OK?
We will teach your athlete everything they need to know! There is no experience necessary to start rowing at AJRA, even for our competitive teams. It is a rare sport that allows athletes to learn and become quickly successful at an older age. We often say "If they haven't found their sport yet, rowing might be it!". Our coaches are very skilled at teaching the sport and helping young athletes become fit rowers and coxswains.

IS THERE AN IDEAL ATHLETE SIZE FOR ROWING?
We have rowers of every height and fitness level at AJRA. While rowing is often described as a tall kid sport, our team has become the biggest and strongest team in the state because our coaches are very skilled at working with every sized athlete. Our smallest athletes often find they shine as coxswains, the drivers and mini coaches of the boats. 

 

MY HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE HAS NEVER ROWED BEFORE, WHERE SHOULD WE BEGIN? 
Contrary to what seems like the normal instinct to start slow and ease into it, it's best to start with our Competitive High School Program as a Novice (1st year of competitive rowing), not recreational. Our Competitive Novice Program will allow the athlete to learn and rise up with a group of peers and build a bond like no sport you've ever experienced before! If the schedule and training proves to be too much, only then should the athlete shift down to our non-competitive recreational high school team. Trust us, start with Competitive, even if they have never rowed before!  

CAN I COME FOR A TRIAL LESSON? 

Rowing is different from ball sports like soccer or tennis in that it takes time to learn how to move boats, launching in the water, safety of handling expensive equipment, erging, fitness and technique. Especially with the Development Team & Recreational Team, it may take several sessions before the boats are out fully on the water. It's best to register for the program you are interested in and, if it turns out not to be a good fit once they get out on the water a few times, then simply email program@atlantajuniors.com to arrange a partial refund (see refund policy below). The first 2 weeks of our Competitive Team is for your athlete to test out the schedule and the sport. We want all athletes to know this is what they want to do and excited to row with AJRA! 

 

IS ROWING YEAR ROUND? DO I HAVE TO PARTICIPATE IN BOTH FALL AND SPRING?
Rowing can be as year round as you want. We have Fall, Winter, Spring & Summer programs. Some athletes just row with us in Spring or Fall and do another sport the rest of the year. For Spring only athletes, we encourage them to add in our Winter Conditioning so their fitness is ready for Spring Season. Most athletes fall so deeply in love with the sport and the team culture that they decide to row year round. 

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR OR BRING TO PRACTICE?
Tighter fitting athletic clothing, sneakers, and a plastic water bottle (metal bottles scratch the hull of the boat) are all you need! Please no crocs, baggy t-shirts or baggy shorts (baggy clothing gets caught in the slide of the erg/boat). AJRA will supply all the rest of the equipment needed for practice. 

HOW DOES THE COMPETITIVE TEAM WORK? 

New and veteran athletes will train and build together to gain strength, technique and experience on the water for regattas. Ask any parent of another travel team sport, our season dues are the BEST DEAL IN SPORTS! Season dues are all inclusive of race entries, coaching, equipment, hotels, bus travel and even an amazing food tent that feeds the team on race days! Also unlike other sports, our athletes will compete whether the parent comes to a regatta or not. The team travels via charter bus together and stays as a whole at the team hotel. Parents, if attending, make their own travel arrangements and regatta attendance is not required. 

 

OUR ATHLETE GOES TO A HIGHLY ACADEMIC SCHOOL. CAN THEY MANAGE THE COMPETITIVE TEAM SCHEDULE?

We feed from top schools across Atlanta, including top private & STEM schools. All our athletes are high achieving students (some are even Eagle Scouts) with rigorous classes and they all figure it out. Our Competitive Novice & Varsity athletes learn time management, communication skills, and so many other wonderful skills outside the sport itself. They can handle this! We also have a wonderful carpool roster to help parents get athletes to practice easier. With a 2 week trial, there is every great reason to give it a shot! 

 

HOW DO I REGISTER?

Simply click the JOIN NOW link. Our programs pages will outline the different squads, practice schedules and what grades they are best for. If you have any registration questions, please email program@atlantajuniors.com

REFUND POLICY
A $100 non-refundable deposit is collected for Varsity, Novice, DSquad, or Rec Team athletes at the time of registration. The balance of registration fees will be charged based on the selected payment plan, with the first payment due approximately two weeks after the practices start. Varsity, Novice, DSquad, or Rec Team athletes who cancel before the first payment will not be charged the registration fee. Please email questions or requests to program@atlantajuniors.com. 

ABSENTEE POLICY
The success of AJRA depends on the dedication of every athlete.  Especially with the Competitive Team, when an athlete misses practice, it affects the entire team causing boats to be stranded on land and miss valuable training on the water. 
•    Athletes must communicate all absences directly with their squad coaches in advance.
•    Excessive excused absences will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis
•    More than 3 unexcused absences will affect boat placement and ability to participate in regattas.

 

IS THERE A CODE OF CONDUCT? 

Our team culture is our most valuable asset at AJRA. We value Character, Commitment & Community. Our athletes consider our boathouse their home and their teammates their family, often spending time together outside of practice. While training and traveling together as a team, we expect all athletes to abide by our Code of Conduct. You will sign this upon registration and it can be found in our password protected Parent Portal. 

 

WHO CAN I CONTACT WITH ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS? 

Please reach out to our Board Secretary at contact@atlantajuniors.com