Masters Programs

The Mercer Masters offer a variety of different options for rowing depending on the skill and competitive desire of an individual. There are Spring (February end-May), Summer (June-August), Fall (September-mid November) and Winter (December-February) sessions.

The Mercer Masters practice out of the Caspersen Training Center on Mercer Lake. Practices are generally held in the early morning. All participants, regardless of skill level, must share coxing duties; therefore coxswain training is integrated into all of our programming.

Program Registration

To Register for any of the Mercer Masters Programs, please visit the Masters Registration page.

No athlete may begin practicing with the team he or she has registered online and has handed in a completed waiver form, health history questionnaire, and swim test waiver

Program Descriptions

Learn To Row (Spring, Summer and Fall Sessions)

Pre-requisites: None - NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY

The Learn to Row Program is designed for individuals with little or no rowing experience (or have been absent from the sport for an extended period). Participants will attain a thorough introduction to rowing, focusing on the physical and technical foundation required to confidently and successfully become proficient in the sport. As the group progresses, workouts will take on a progressively more intensive physical component with the goal of increasing on-the-water skill development. Upon successful completion of the Learn to Row program, participants will have the option of pursuing the sport with The Mercer Masters in either a recreational or competitive capacity along with other rowers of a comparable skill level.  The 2012 Spring Learn To Row program will start on April 16, 2012.

Fitness & Recreational Rowing (Spring, Summer and Fall Sessions)

Pre-requisites: Successful completion of Learn to Row or equivalent.

The Fitness & Recreational Rowing program is an intermediate program that provides rowers the opportunity to improve their rowing technique and begin incorporating workouts. Athletes will continue solidifying their rowing technique while simultaneously developing a fitness base. This program is geared for those participants who have aspirations of rowing competitively but are lacking the technical foundation. Participants who are not interested in competing or are unable to meet the necessary requirements of the Mercer Master Racers should register for the Fitness & Recreational Rowing program. 

Opportunities may be available for rowers to participate in an end of season regatta. While not compulsory, taking part in such an event enables athletes to test the limits of their abilities and to fully recognize their improvements over the course of the program.

 Athletes registered for Fitness & Recreational Rowing may mix in with the Learn to Row program and/or the Mercer Master Racers. The number of open seats may be limited, therefore it is on a first come-first serve basis and is subject to the discretion of the coaching staff.

Upon completion of the Fitness & Recreational Rowing program, participants will have the option of joining the Mercer Masters Racers or of taking Fitness & Recreational Rowing again.

Mercer Masters Racers (Spring, Summer and Fall Sessions)

Pre-requisites: Successful completion of Learn to Row, Fitness & Recreational Rowing, or equivalent as well as an 80% or higher attendance rate for the current season.

The Mercer Masters Racers are comprised of athletes with a desire to race and are dedicated to competing at a high level against other teams. Training for these individuals focuses on increasing the technical skills and developing the physical strength, fitness, and stamina necessary to perform well in the competitive arena. Athletes will be paired with teammates of similar goals and skill levels whenever possible and appropriate. Athletes in the racing program will have the opportunity to travel with the team to away regattas. The costs associated with each regatta (boat and van rentals, gasoline, entry fees, etc.) are shared by all participants excluding coxswains and are in addition to the program fees.

An effort is made to give everyone who wishes to participate in a regatta a chance to race. Even so, there is no guarantee that an individual rower will be boated for every race, nor can we guarantee that each participant in the competitive program will have the opportunity to race at all. Attendance and fitness are fundamental aspects of the Mercer Masters Racer program and for these reasons, there is a minimum attendance policy. Please refer to the Mercer Masters Handbook for further details. Members enrolled in the Mercer Master Racers have the opportunity to join the Fitness & Recreational Rowing athletes for their practices if space is available.

Winter Training (Winter Session)

Pre-requisites: None.

The winter is an invaluable time for rowers to fine tune general skills and focus on developing a strong physical foundation for future competition or simply enjoy the benefits of general aerobic fitness. For novice athletes in particular, it affords them with the opportunity to further develop the mechanics and dynamics of their stroke in a stable, flexible training environment.

The winter session provides the experienced athlete the opportunity to draw attention away from integrating with a crew and focus upon specific, individual technical development. Each athlete's training will be characterized by a strong emphasis on individual skill, long-term physical development, and for those interested, a focus preparing for select summer and/or fall races.

Due to cold temperatures, practices will be held inside the Caspersen Rowing Center's training room. Rowers will work out on stationary ergometers, or "ergs." These are rowing machines designed to simulate the rowing stroke and help athletes get in shape for competitive rowing in the spring and summer.

In addition to "erging", athletes enrolled in the Winter Training session will participate in circuit training, aimed at developing and increasing power, aerobic endurance, flexibility, and core strength. These circuits which are designed by Bob Kaehler, Strength & Athletic Trainer for the National Team, introduce resistance and weight training in a supervised setting. Kaehler's program targets the goals of the participants involved and varies the exercises on a regular basis, which helps to stave off boredom.

The possibility exists to train for and compete in the C.R.A.S.H. - B. Sprints World Indoor Rowing Championships, held annually in Boston, MA, or participate in one of the more local satellite competitions.

For More Information...

For more information on any of the Mercer Masters Rowing programs please call 609-799-7100 or email masters@rowpnra.org.