Mendota Junior Recreational and Competitive Rowing Team

Our youth rowing program mission is to host both recreational and highly competitive rowing teams and diversify the sport. The structure of rowing helps students reach their full potential as an athlete and also as a maturing human through a supportive environment teaching discipline, personal responsibility, perseverance, and teamwork. Rowers will be empowered in a positive atmosphere where they will have the opportunity to be most successful. 

Athletic and Physical Requirements

Mendota RC strongly believes that a teenager’s future athletic potential is limitless if they are willing to work hard mentally and physically. While prior experience in rowing will certainly be helpful, it is not required so long as the athlete commits to the learning process. If the athlete has no prior rowing experience, they must be able to lift 20 lbs over their head and demonstrate a moderate level of physical fitness and aptitude after a short period of initial instruction and pass a swim test. 

Mendota’s Code of Respect Honesty Integrity Empathy

• Communicate respectfully with coaches and teammates.

• Support and celebrate the efforts of teammates & self

• Treat teammates, coaches, others in the rowing community and fellow humans with respect and empathy in all interactions both on and off the water.

• Be aware, responsible and accountable for personal actions.

• Will not take actions that mislead or deceive another person or persons.

• Will not take actions that hurt, bully or disrespect another person or persons in any way for any reason.

• Will not take actions that threaten personal reputation or that of the team or the Mendota Rowing Club community.

• Rowing is a team sport and that the teamwork required extends beyond time in the boat, rowers agree to assist teammates, coaches and other Mendota RC members in preparing for, participating in and breaking down from practices and other rowing events.

• Treat the equipment appropriately and handle it with care.

• Approach each practice with an open mindset and do your best.

• Note the following infractions are grounds for immediate expulsion from the team and club: 

• Causing physical, emotional or mental harm to others 
• Vandalism
• The use of illicit drugs or alcohol
• Bringing a weapon to a practice, regatta, club event or boathouse

One of Heather's stipulations when selecting a college was that they have a novice crew team. In 93' this led her to attend Drexel University in Philadelphia where she became team captain her first season on a winning novice crew.  Her senior year of college she went on to learn sculling with PGRC and Bachelors Boat Club on the historic boat house row competing at the national level for 4 more years. After a 12 break Heather came back to rowing as an assistant coach at the Waynflete school in Portland Maine and is now very excited to be a part of the Mendota coaching team. Heather can also help excel your land training as she is a certified yoga, health and fitness coach!

You can reach Coach Heather at:

hswan@mendotarowingclub.com