FAQ

US Summer Nationals (RowFest) in Ann Arbor, Michigan: July 11-12, 2026

The Royal Canadian Henley Regatta in St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada: August 3 - 9, 2026

Because so many of our athletes make significant 2K erg improvements each summer, we maintain an open-door policy for rowers who are willing to work hard and fully commit to a summer of rowing excellence. That said, the standard to make any BRC 1V is very high.

Yes, BRC offers summer housing for the full summer, as well as for US Nationals and Canadian Henley camps. Housing includes RA supervision, assistance with transportation to and from practice, and fully equipped kitchens for athletes to prepare meals and store groceries.

Rowers are responsible for their daily meals, with BRC staff and teammates supporting one another through regular grocery trips, team dinners, and shared meal preparation at the team houses.

Our nutrition plan is developed in partnership with corporate sponsor Dr. Derek Alessi, a licensed nutritionist. This program is designed to supplement, not replace, regular meals and support the demands of 2–3 daily training sessions. To maximize performance and recovery, we provide healthy snacks and hydration options at the training center, including protein bars, fruits, vegetables, PB&J sandwiches on protein bread, and nutritional supplements. Emphasis is placed on proper fueling before, during, and after workouts, with a focus on mid-session glycogen replenishment and timely post-workout recovery.

BRC provides transportation through team vans and athlete carpools. Rowers with a valid driver’s license may also bring their own vehicle for the summer.

Valid Passport or Enhanced Driver’s License. Birth certificates with photo IDs are not accepted. Every BRC athlete needs to be able to cross the US/CAN border for practice and the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta.

Monday-Friday

• 6-8am primary row
• 8-9am nutrition plan / rest
• 9-10:30am second row
• 10:30-3pm lunch / rest
• 3-4:30pm or 4:30-6pm strength training
• 6-7pm dinner

Saturday

• 7-11am row and strength training

Sunday

• Off

Practice times and rest days will change around regatta dates.

High school rowers who would like to develop their strength, fitness and technical ability will row on the BRC Development Team. Rowers will be evaluated throughout the season and given opportunities to “Level Up” into the High-Performance Team.

Modified rowers (ages 12–14) will train on the BRC Learn to Race Team, focusing on technical fundamentals, introductory strength and fitness training, and the development of a winning mindset.

High-Performance members will at the US Summer Nationals and the Royal Canadian Henley. Development and Learn to Race members will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

For details on US Summer Nationals (RowFest), please see the USRowing Event information linked here. The racing will take place Saturday and Sunday, July 11-12, 2026. Last year, racing went until 6:30pm on Sunday, so to see all racing, plan on flying in on arriving July 10th and departing July 13th.

For info on Canadian Henley, please see the The Royal Canadian Henley Regatta event information linked here. The racing will take place across the week of August 2-9, with three-day progressions depending on age group and event. We won’t know lineups and entries until late July, but we aim to have everyone race in the 8s and a good portion of athletes row in the 4s as well. Other events like the 1x 2x 2- and 4x have their own progression mid week.

This is a great spectator Regatta with proper grandstands, bars, restaurants, and award ceremonies. If your son or daughter does make the grand final, it is worth attending, but also the experience of the Regatta as a whole can be quite enjoyable. The regatta site is incredibly close to Niagara Falls and the wineries of Fort Niagara.

For a full regatta week experience, arrive on Aug 3 and depart the evening of Aug 9 or morning of Aug 10. The closest airports are Buffalo Niagara (USA, ~30-45 minutes), and Toronto Pearson (Canada, ~60-90 minutes).

If you would like to spend time in Buffalo this summer, you're more than welcome to attend practices and visit facilities. Some options for hotels nearby are listed below. These are also great options to stay and travel back-and-forth during Henley week, as the rowers do:

• Buffalo Marriott at LECOM Harborcenter
• Courtyard by Marriott Buffalo Downtown/Canalside
• The Richardson Hotel

Please email the BRC staff for a timely response: [email protected]