Bryn Mawr Rowing Walk-On Information
Interest Meeting Details
Interested in joining the Bryn Mawr rowing team? Meet our team and coaches at our interest meeting:
When: Thursday, September 4
th at 7PM
Where: Dorothy Vernon Room, New Dorm Dining Hall
Please fill out our form below:
Interest Form
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F.A.Q.s
Q: What is Rowing?
A: Rowing is a FULL body workout, and a DIII Varsity Sport at Bryn Mawr College. Rowing is a racing sport, competing in 5k races in the Fall, and 2k sprint races in the Spring. (Think Cross Country and Track!) Our winters are spent training on indoor rowers (often called ERGS) in Schwartz Gym!
Q: When are practices?
A: Our team trains year-round! Our fall season runs from September-November, winter training runs from January- March, and our spring season runs from March-May! When we are in our seasons, we train 5-6 days/week, in the morning before classes!
Here is an outline of our Fall schedule: MWF 5:30 AM-7:30 AM, Saturday 8AM-10:30AM
Q: How do I get to practice?
A: Our athletes depart from Pem Arch in our Athletic Department Vans! It is around a 15 minute drive down to the Upper Schuylkill River, where we train!
Here is a link to our boathouse location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/yvzTu8GofVzYKxe18
Q: Do I need prior experience?
A: No! Novice Rowing is a competitive, learn as you go experience for collegiate rowing programs across the country! There is even a novice category that you race in at events. It doesn't matter if it's a DI, DII or DIII team, each year thousands of college students try out the sport of rowing for the very first time! In the 2012 Olympics, the US Women's Eight won gold. Half of the women in that boat walked on to their college rowing team!
Q: When do you compete?
A: We compete on the weekends! In the Fall, we will compete around 3-4 weekends, in the spring, it's closer to 5-6. Our conference championships take place in May, with a chance to compete at NCAA Championships!
Here is our Novice Fall Competition Schedule:
- Sunday, October 12 - Navy Day Regatta Philadelphia, PA
- Saturday, October 25 - Head of the Schuylkill Regatta Philadelphia, PA
- Saturday, November 1 - Head of the Occoquan Regatta Fairfax, VA
Q: Why should I join?
A: I'll let some of our athletes, who joined as walk-ons, answer that!
"Joining the Bryn Mawr Rowing team has been one of the best decisions of my college career. After playing soccer all throughout elementary, middle, and high school, I was ready for a change but wanted to continue to be in a competitive athletic environment. The crew team has fulfilled this goal and more - I've met my best friends and grown as a person and athlete. I would highly recommend joining the team to any potential walk-ons!"
- Lindsay
"You should join Bryn Mawr Rowing to be surrounded by a group of supportive and hard-working athletes who help you grow as an athlete and person both on and off the water! I have met my best friends through rowing and love being a part of something bigger than myself in the Bryn Mawr Community. I also have LOVED the opportunity to learn something new (a whole new sport) in college and be a part of teaching it to others! Learning to row is so wonderful because you can truly learn, or continue it, at any stage of your life and find a community wherever you go."
-Claire
"I joined the Bryn Mawr rowing team to try something new and fun, and it was the best decision I could have made. I found a sport that I love and friends that I cherish, and I have grown so much. It's amazing to find something that allows you to learn, push yourself, get stronger, build relationships, and have fun all at once, and that's what I found. And so could you!"
- Leah
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Interested? Take the 5 Steps to Join our Team!
- Attend Interest Meeting - Thursday, September 4 at 7PM in DVR
- Email Head Coach Katie Ely and sign up for a Sportsware account via link below:
- https://gobrynmawr.com/documents/2023/4/5/SWOL_Introduction_Letter_to_Athletes_2015.pdf
- Complete tests on Sportsware (Sportsware is our Athletic Training Medical Records System)
- ImPACT Baseline Concussion Test
- Sickle Cell Test Result – if you don't have this, it can be scheduled by an Athletic Trainer (AT) and completed at the Health Center.
- Submit physical result to AT (physical must have taken place after 2/18/2025) OR complete physical at the Health Center.
- Complete Swim Test and AT Clearance at Schwartz Gym- Wednesday, September 10th (Time TBD)
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Email Athletic Trainer Terry McLaughlin or Head Coach Katie Ely with any and all questions!
Walk-on Rowing Contacts
