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FAQs

Q: My child is currently in 7th Grade. When can he/she join the team?
A: If he/she is 13 years old, he/she can join immediately but, if not, they'll need to wait until the summer before 8th grade.

Q: How does rowing fit in the school schedule?
A: CJC takes its rowers' academics very seriously. Fall practice is offered five days a week and is flexible depending on the athlete's goals and other commitments.

Q: My child is not really the "sporty" type. Is rowing a hard sport to learn?
A: Rowing often attracts kids that might not have been involved in so-called “traditional sports” up until joining CJC. Many consider rowing to be a more strenuous sport than many other youth activities, but there's no reason to be concerned. Novices are introduced to the sport by focusing on stroke technique and team work, and along the way kids grow to truly love the sport. Stroke learning can be challenging at first, but the coaches are patient and dedicated, as they recognize that individual kids learn at their own pace and in their own time.

Q: Is rowing safe? Do boats ever capsize or sink?
A: Rowing is perfectly safe. Rowers need to recognize that their coaches’ instructions are final, and that all rowers need to follow instruction at all times. Coaches take every precaution possible to ensure their rowers’ safety (e.g. in adverse weather conditions, the coach will elect to keep the boats off the water that day). Boats have been known to capsize, but they rarely sink.

Q: Is it difficult to "make the team" for competitions?
A: The short answer is “no!” Rowing is not a "cut" sport. Everyone makes the team. Every effort is made to allow every rower to participate at least once during a competition.

Q: Do boys and girls row together?
A: Boys and girls do often row together in the same boat during practices. Most competitions are gender specific, but there is the occasional mixed boat race. Having the kids work together on the team - e.g. rigging and de-rigging the boats - gives them great social interaction time outside school. They develop constructive, friendly relationships with the other gender that makes for a positive, interactive environment in which they thrive.

Q: Does my child need to be vaccinated for COVID-19?
A: Beginning June 7, 2021, CJC will require all staff and participants to have received the COVID-19 vaccine.  You can read more about CJC's policy under the "Members" > "Forms" tab.