WYRA uses the sport of rowing as a vehicle to raise self esteem and teach responsibility, self-discipline, sportsmanship, pursuit of excellence and teamwork. Rowing is the ultimate team sport. No one is a bench warmer. Everyone rows and everyone races. WYRA crews compete in fall “head” races, long 2.5-3.5 races against the clock, winter indoor ergometer races, and traditional sprint, 1500m-2000m races in the spring. WYRA crew teams have competed in races all over the United States including Boston MA , Cape Cod MA, Princeton NJ , Pittsburg PA , Lake Lanier GA, Connecticut, Cincinnati OH and across the Atlantic in England.

What is a novice rower? A rower in their first yea of competitive crew is a novice rower. Novice year might run from fall thru spring or just be the one season that the rower participates in but following the summer all novice rowers  become varsity rowers.

Ages: Rowers may begin crew when they are 13 or in 8th grade and continue through their senior year. A rower may not start crew as a novuie in their senior years. It is highly recommended that rowers join crew as early as possible.

Attendance: Rowing is the ultimate team sport and depends on every person in the boat pulling together. The cohesion, technique and fitness that makes a boat move well through the water can only take place if every rower attends practice regularly, pays attention to their coaches and gives their best.