Manatee Rowing Registration, Payment, and Refund Policy
Adopted July 17, 2026 | Applies to all athlete registrations and program fees
Purpose
This policy sets out the payment, refund, and account terms for participation in MCYR programs. MCYR commits to coaching contracts, insurance, equipment, and regatta entries based on enrollment at the start of each season. These commitments cannot be recovered when an athlete withdraws, and this policy protects the club and the families who remain.
Free Trial Period
New participants may attend up to 5 learn-to-row or trial practice sessions at no charge. A signed waiver is required before the first session. To continue after the trial period, the athlete must complete registration and pay season fees. No fees are owed by participants who do not continue past the trial period.
Payment Terms
Season fees are due in full at the beginning of each season unless the family selects the payment plan. Under the payment plan, fees are paid in 4 monthly payments, with the first payment due at the start of the season. Payment options are described at www.manateeyouthrowing.com.
Each athlete must also hold a current USRowing membership, purchased directly from USRowing at www.usrowing.org. This is separate from and in addition to season fees.
- A $10 late fee is added weekly to any past-due balance until the account is brought current.
- Insufficient funds (NSF) charges are the responsibility of the athlete’s family and will be added to the athlete’s account balance.
- Athletes with accounts delinquent beyond 3 weeks may not participate in practice or regattas until the account is brought current.
- An athlete returning to the team at any time must pay all past-due balances in full before participating.
Refund Policy
Registration fees are non-refundable once the athlete continues past the free trial period. Athletes who withdraw voluntarily before the end of the season will not receive a refund, and any remaining balance on a payment plan for that season remains due in full.
MCYR commits funds for coaching, insurance, equipment, boat maintenance, and regatta entries at the start of each season based on the number of registered athletes. These costs do not decrease when an individual athlete withdraws.
Non-Refundable Items
The following are non-refundable in all circumstances, including approved exceptions, because they are paid to third parties on the athlete’s behalf:
- Regatta entry fees once submitted to the host organization
- Uniforms and apparel once ordered
Summer Camps
Summer camp registration fees and deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable, and the obligation to pay is unconditional upon registration. One exception applies: if MCYR cancels a camp week because the minimum enrollment of 9 participants is not met, families will receive a full refund for that week. The free trial period does not apply to summer camps.
Scholarship Athletes
Scholarships are awarded at the discretion of the Board for the current season only and cover the athlete or amount stated in the award. Scholarships hold no cash value and cannot be exchanged for cash, a refund, or a credit. They are not transferable to another athlete, family, program, or season. If a scholarship athlete withdraws or is unable to complete the season, the unused portion of the scholarship reverts to MCYR. Any portion of fees not covered by the scholarship remains subject to the payment and refund terms of this policy.
Medical Exceptions
If an athlete cannot complete the season due to a documented medical condition, the family may request a pro-rated credit toward a future MCYR season. If the athlete is unable to use a credit because they will age out of the program, a pro-rated refund will be issued instead. Credit or refund is calculated from the date the written request is received, not the athlete’s last practice date. Requests require a physician’s note. Credits are non-transferable, hold no cash value, and expire 12 months from issue.
Requests and Exceptions
All refund or credit requests must be submitted in writing to the MCYR Treasurer. This policy cannot anticipate every circumstance; unique situations will be reviewed by the Board on a case-by-case basis, and any exception to this policy requires Board or Executive Committee approval. Coaches and volunteers are not authorized to grant refunds, credits, or verbal exceptions of any kind.
Acknowledgment at Registration
The following statement is presented with a required checkbox on the registration and payment page:
“I have read and agree to the MCYR Registration, Payment, and Refund Policy. I understand that fees are non-refundable after the free trial period, that regatta fees and uniforms are non-refundable in all cases, and that withdrawal does not cancel amounts owed for the season.”