Junior Development Pathways
Year-Round Junior Rowing at Penn Athletic Club Rowing Association
Train. Develop. Compete. Belong.
Penn AC Juniors offers year-round rowing opportunities for athletes at every stage of development — from first-time rowers discovering the sport to experienced athletes pursuing national-level competition.
Located on historic Boathouse Row in Philadelphia, Penn AC Juniors combines elite coaching, a strong developmental philosophy, and a clear athlete pathway designed to support long-term growth in rowing and beyond.
Whether you are stepping into a boat for the first time or striving to compete at the highest junior levels in the country, there is a place for you at Penn AC.
Penn AC Junior Rowing Programs
Learn-to-Row Program
Ages 12-16
No Experience Necessary
Curious about rowing? Start here.
The Penn AC Learn-to-Row Program introduces athletes to the fundamentals of rowing in a welcoming, supportive, and team-oriented environment. Athletes learn core rowing skills, boat handling, teamwork, and confidence while building fitness and having fun on the water.
This program is designed for students with little or no prior rowing experience and serves as the entry point into the Penn AC Juniors pathway.
Athletes Will Learn:
• Rowing fundamentals
• Sculling basics
• Erg technique
• Water safety and boat handling
• Teamwork and communication
• Fitness and athletic development
Program Highlights:
• Beginner-friendly environment
• Experienced coaching staff
• Multiple seasonal entry points
• Access to world-class rowing facilities
• Introduction to competitive rowing opportunities
Perfect For:
• Multi-sport athletes
• Students seeking a new challenge
• Athletes interested in future competition
• Beginners with no prior experience
No experience required. All are welcome.
Junior Development Program
Ages 12-16
The first step toward competitive rowing starts here.
The Penn AC Junior Development Program is designed for athletes ages 12–16 who are interested in learning to row for competition in a supportive, developmental, and team-oriented environment.
Hosted on historic Boathouse Row in Philadelphia, the Junior Development Program introduces athletes to the fundamentals of rowing and sculling while building the technical skills, fitness, confidence, and teamwork necessary for future competitive success.
This program serves as the official entry point into the Penn AC Juniors competitive pathway.
Program Focus:
• Technical development
• Sculling progression
• Race preparation
• Team culture
• Athletic development
• Long-term growth in the sport
Competitive Opportunities:
• Regional regattas
• Head race season
• Spring sprint racing
• Developmental racing experiences
The Goal:
Prepare athletes to progress into:
• High Performance Juniors
• Penn AC Gold
• Collegiate rowing opportunities
• Penn AC High Performance Team
This is where committed athletes build the foundation for future success.
High Performance Juniors
Experienced Junior Athletes
Year-Round Elite Development
The Penn AC High Performance Junior Program is designed for experienced junior rowers seeking a high-level, year-round training environment focused on technical mastery, competitive excellence, and long-term athlete development.
Built around a strong sculling foundation, the program provides athletes with access to elite coaching, high-performance training, and national-level competition opportunities.
Program Focus:
• Fundamentals of rowing and sculling
• Boat handling and water safety
• Erg technique and athletic development
• Teamwork and communication
• Introduction to racing concepts
• Confidence and discipline through sport
The program is designed to help athletes build a strong technical and athletic foundation while becoming comfortable training in a structured team environment.
The Goal:
Prepare athletes to progress into:
• High Performance Juniors
• Penn AC Gold
• Collegiate rowing opportunities
• Penn AC High Performance Team
This is where committed athletes build the foundation for future success.
Why Penn AC?
• Historic rowing tradition
• Elite coaching leadership
• Boathouse Row training environment
• Athlete-centered development philosophy
• Proven pathway to higher levels of the sport
The Penn AC High Performance Juniors program is committed to developing complete athletes — technically, physically, mentally, and competitively.
WHY YEAR-ROUND DEVELOPMENT MATTERS
At Penn AC, we believe athlete development happens over time through consistency, coaching, community, and opportunity.
Our year-round structure allows athletes to:
• Develop technical mastery
• Build confidence progressively
• Train within a unified coaching philosophy
• Grow within a supportive team culture
• Pursue long-term goals in the sport
Penn AC Juniors is more than a seasonal rowing experience — it is a complete developmental pathway for junior athletes.
READY TO GET STARTED?
Whether you are new to rowing or looking for a high-performance training environment, Penn AC Juniors offers a place to learn, grow, and compete.