About Us:

Thank you for your interest in joining the Ann Arbor Pioneer High School Crew/Pioneer Rowing Club.   The Pioneer Crew was founded in the fall of 1999 as a club, and in the fall of 2003 we received full varsity status at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School.   We operate out of the Ann Arbor Community Boathouse facilities in Bandemer Park, off of North Main St. on Longshore Drive. The program is co-ed and is open to any Pioneer or Community High School student living within the Pioneer school district.

Mission Statement Of The Pioneer Rowing Club

The mission of the Ann Arbor Pioneer High School Crew/Pioneer Rowing Club is to develop, support, and promote the sport of rowing at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School in a manner that reflects the educational philosophy and ideals of the Ann Arbor educational community, and the Midwest Scholastic Rowing Association (MSRA).

Specifically, the Ann Arbor Pioneer High School Crew/Pioneer Rowing Club is committed to the following goals:

•  To encourage and support the academic achievement of its student-athlete members.

•  To support informed instruction in the techniques and principals of competitive rowing.

•  To own, provide and maintain equipment including boats, oars, and other equipment, for the use of the Pioneer Rowing Club.

•  To organize fundraising events and rowing regattas in support of the rowing team.

•  To promote information exchange with other amateur organizations in Ann Arbor and the surrounding geographical region.

This mission is consistent with the overall mission of Pioneer High School and with the Athletic Policy of the Ann Arbor Public Schools (Board Policy R 6147), as stated in the Pioneer High School Athletic Registration Document prepared by the Pioneer Booster Club

Structure

The Pioneer Rowing Club is a 501(c) 3 organization governed by a Board of Trustees.   The Club is made up of student-athletes, coaches, and parents or guardians of student-athletes on the Ann Arbor Pioneer High School Crew.   The Pioneer Rowing Club owns and maintains the club's equipment, manages the club's financial resources and helps hire additional assistant coaches and support staff for the team.

Crew is a varsity sport under the direct supervision of the Pioneer High School Athletic Director.   The Ann Arbor Pioneer High School Crew includes the student-athletes and the coaches.   Coaches and athletes must comply with all Pioneer High School, AAPS and MHSAA regulations concerning athletics, academics, and behavior.   The Ann Arbor Pioneer High School Crew is open to high school-aged boys and girls who attend either Pioneer or Community High Schools and who reside within the Pioneer High School attendance area.   No prior rowing experience is required.

 

How much does it cost to row?  

The cost for each rower is $500.00 per season.   This pays for coaching/supervisor salaries, rent, insurance and cost of operations.   Fundraising opportunities are provided during the season. Scholarships are available, and no student will be denied because of cost.  

The team practices are:

Monday thru Friday between 4:00 pm and 6:30 pm.

All practices are mandatory.   Regattas are usually on Saturday, but can occasionally be on Sunday.   The team can often be away for the whole weekend during the competitive season.

As a new rower you must be flexible.   A second practice session from 6:30 to 8:00 pm may have to be put into place to accommodate new rowers.

The fall season starts on August 14, 2006.   This is the first day that all teams can start practice at Pioneer.   Crew will officially start on August 23, 2006. We will have a one week try out period. We will not accept rowers after is time. You must plan on being here during Spring break when planning for the spring. Practice will be from 4:00 - 6:30 pm at the boathouse in Bandemere Park, off of Main Street on Lake Shore Drive.   We anticipate a large turn out of new rowers.   Practice times may have to be adjusted because of the numbers.   We are always excited about the prospect of having large numbers but you as a parent and rower must realize we only have enough equipment to accommodate a limited number of athletes.   We will make every attempt to get you started in rowing, but you also must be flexible while we try to work out coaching and equipment issues.   Because of possible unprecedented numbers selection of new rower candidates may have to be implemented.

When do we row?

We have two seasons.   The fall season runs from August to November.   In the fall we participate in head races, with single boats competing against the clock.   The races are approximately 2.5 miles long.   In the spring we compete in sprint races.   The spring season runs from March to June.   The races are about 1 mile long with six boats racing side by side.   Winter training is optional. We usually start training in January, after the holiday season.

Demands

Rowing demands a lot of time for both the parent and rower, but they will learn to budget their time and meet many new friends and be richer for the experience.   This is truly a team sport.   Each rower is dependent on all of the other rowers in the boat to make it move; we have no room for individuals.   Everyone must learn to sacrifice for the whole.   Our focus is always on the team.

All forms must be signed and completed before a rower may practice with the team.   Information about the team is available in the Athletic Office two weeks prior to each season.   Thank you for your interest is this unique sport and we look forward to you meeting the challenge of rowing.