FALL SEASON – August 15, 2026 – December 11, 2026
Manatee County Youth Rowing for Middle School students (6th, 7th, and 8th grade) is a competitive sports program. The Middle School program is less intense than the High School program and focuses on developing an individual through teamwork, leadership, athletic conditioning, good nutrition, and community service. The program runs throughout the school year. During the summer, additional camps and training programs are available.
No experience necessary, we’ll teach you.
- Start by joining our Learn to Row day on Saturday, August 15, 2026 from 8-10am at 1605 Fort Hamer Rd. See if you like it.
- Do a free trial with the team, joining them at practice on Tuesday, August 18 and Thursday, August 20 from 5-6:30pm.
- Join the team by coming to practice on Saturday, August 22 at 7-10am. Your parents come to the parent meeting, also at 1605 Fort Hamer at 9-10am to get you on the team.
We build community. Rowing families are an integral part of the program’s success. We ask each family to volunteer at regattas and fundraising events in both the fall and spring seasons.
What Are the Fees of Joining?
One Payment in Full – Fall Season
- $1,340 — (Sibling $1,273)
Monthly Payments – Fall Season
- 4 monthly payments of $368.50 — (Sibling $349.97)
When and where is practice?
PRACTICE LOCATION:
Fort Hamer Boat Ramp
1605 Fort Hamer Rd.
Parrish, FL 34219
PRACTICE SCHEDULE:
Tuesday and Thursday: 5 PM – 6:30 PM
Saturday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 AM
What should athletes bring to practice?
- Practice clothing is spandex or fitted sports shorts and a sports shirt. No loose-fitting clothing in the boats as they get catch in the rigging.
- Flip flops or water shoes
- Running shoes with dry socks
- Towel
- Change of dry clothes. You may get wet on this ride.
- Soft sided water bottle. Each rower is responsible to bring his or her own water each day. For health reasons, drinking from another rower’s water bottle with or without permission is prohibited.
How do we join the team?
New to rowing? Try it out first.
Come to a learn to row and try it out. For Fall 2026, the learn to row is on Saturday, August 15, 2026 from 8-10am.
Then, practice with the team for a week. High school practice is daily, Monday through Friday from 3;30-6:30 and Saturdays from 7-10am.
Join the team on August 22, 2026. Come to practice at 7am and make sure your parents come to the Parent Meeting from 9-10am to get signed up. You will need a FHSAA physical with EKG to turn in.
What is the commitment like?
Both athletes and parents should commit to practice, race day regattas, and volunteering. MCYR is a parent-led non-profit that relies on volunteers. There are many ways to volunteer including food preparation and service at regattas, helping with photography and videography for social media, help maintain the boat and the boathouse facility, tow boats to/from regattas, manage travel regatta logistics and/or volunteer to be a board member.
What is the fall regatta schedule?
October 10-11, 2026. Benderson Chase at Nathan Benderson, Sarasota. Regatta fees, athlete food, and coaching costs included in your season fee.
October 24, 2026 — Halloween Regatta at the Tampa Bypass Canal. Regatta fees, athlete food, and coaching costs included in your season fee.
December 5, 2026 — Winter Sprints at Nathan Benderson, Sarasota. Regatta fees, athlete food, and coaching costs included in your season fee.
Coming soon — Keep Manatee Beautiful trash pickup at Fort Hamer.
What is the spring regatta schedule?
We’ll update for 2027 as soon as the information is available.
February 14-15, 2026. America’s Youth Cup at Nathan Benderson, Sarasota. Regatta fees, athlete food, and coaching costs included in your season fee.
February 27-March 1, 2026 — Sarasota Invitational at Nathan Benderson, Sarasota. Regatta fees, athlete food, and coaching costs included in your season fee.
March 7, 2026 — Spring Sprints at the Tampa Bypass Canal. Regatta fees, athlete food, and coaching costs included in your season fee.
March 28, 2026 — FSRA West District Championship at Nathan Benderson, Sarasota. Qualifying athletes only. Regatta fees, athlete food, and coaching costs included in your Fall fee.
April 11-12, 2026 — FSRA Sculling Championship at Nathan Benderson, Sarasota. Qualifying athletes only. Regatta fees, athlete food, and coaching costs included in your season fee.
April 24-26, 2026 —Dogwood Junior Championship at Melton Lake in Oak Ridge, TN. Selected athletes pay additional fees to cover the cost of competing.
What is the summer regatta schedule?
We’ll update for 2027 as soon as the information is available.
The summer training schedule is 2 days of strength training and 2 practices each week.
July 24-26, 2026 — Independence Day Regatta at Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, PA. Athletes pay additional fees to cover the cost of competing.
What are the conditions of membership?
- Medical and waivers: all athletes must submit FHSAA Physical Form EL2 from a licensed healthcare provider. New for 2026-2027: Florida’s Second Chance Act also requires EL1 ECG/EKG heart screening for incoming 9th graders and grades 10-12 who have never played an FHSAA-sanctioned sport in Florida. Both forms are available for download at the bottom of this page.
- Swim test: participants must swim 100 yards unassisted and tread water 5 minutes in rowing attire, and stay calm in open water
- Payment of fees: Non-payment of fees can result in forfeiture of MCYR privileges
- US Rowing Member: Every athlete must join as an individual member and be in good standing with a signed waiver
- Adherence to: MCYR policies and safety rules set forth in the handbook
- Volunteering: Volunteers are the basis of a successful program. Every parent is expected to volunteer
How does the monthly payment plan work?
The payment plan allows families that option to pay monthly.
- Spring season: payments are due before Jan 15, February 15, March 15 and April 15.
- Fall season: payments are due before August 15, September 15, October 15 and November 15.
- Summer season: a monthly payment option is not available as this season is June and July only
Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. Contact info@manateeyouthrowing.com for more information.
What is the sibling rate?
The sibling rate is a discount for families with more than one athlete in the youth rowing program. Your first athlete pays full price at their program level, and every additional sibling gets the discounted sibling rate for their own program.
If your athletes are in different programs, the first athlete is always the one in the highest program. For example, if you have one rower in high school and one in middle school, you pay the full high school rate for the first athlete and the sibling rate for the middle school athlete.
How do I get more information?
Contact us at info@manateeyouthrowing.com. We welcome the opportunity to hear more about your experience and goals as well as answer any questions you have about the program.