High Performance U23 Rowing Program

Summer 2025 Information

June 9th - August 11th, 2025

Subject to change

Riverside Boat Club is proud to offer a High Performance Summer U23 Rowing Program in 2025. Following the club’s mission to support member goals across all levels and promote the art and enjoyment of rowing, Riverside is expanding the U23 women’s program and returning the U23 men’s program to run a full-summer program that culminates at the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta. 

This camp is focused on developing collegiate athletes under the age of 23 to achieve their goals and reach their next steps in the sport through physical conditioning, mental fortitude, technical development, and race preparation/execution. Training for both squads will vary across all boat classes, with the primary sessions being spent sweeping. 

The goal of the U23 program is to foster a team culture rooted in respect, success, and pride in the Riverside community. On the water, athletes will receive high-level coaching across multiple boat classes. Off the water, they will benefit from continued mentorship and valuable guidance to support their rowing careers beyond college. Riverside’s welcoming community looks forward to meeting new faces in Boston as they pursue their athletic and personal growth.

Coaches

men’s lead coaches

Women’s Lead Coaches

TBD

Contact

Contact:
u23@riversideboatclub.com

Instagram:
riversideu23

selection standards

Both men’s and women’s squads will host up to 16 rowers, with the men’s program taking three coxswains and the women’s program taking two.

• To be eligible for this program, athletes must be born on or after January 1st, 2004.

• The application also asks for erg scores, experience, and goals.

• Please be as thorough as possible when completing the application. 

The following scores are recommended, but coaches’ discretion applies 

• Men

  • Under 6:25 2k or equivalent long-distance test for Openweight Men

  • Under 6:30 2k or equivalent long-distance test for Lightweight Men

• Women

• Under 7:25 2k or equivalent long-distance test for Openweight Women

• Under 7:35 2k or equivalent long-distance test for Lightweight Women

Schedule

• Monday - Friday, 6:00-8:00 am

• Men: Tuesday and Thursday Evening, 6:00-7:30 pm

• Women: Monday, Wednesday Evening 6:00-7:30 pm

• Saturday: 8:30-10:30 am

Athletes must be able to attend ALL practice sessions and competitions unless previously discussed with the coaching staff.

Practice times are subject to adjustment, particularly those leading up to competitions. 

Training

The primary focus of this camp will be on the water training, with a secondary focus on skill development for strength and on the erg. Athletes can expect to still have land sessions in the event of inclement weather, and coaches may plan land training where they see fit. 

While the main focus of this program is rowing, athletes will also have access to the facilities at Riverside, which includes a serviceable weights space. Athletes are encouraged to incorporate their suggested summer lifting into the training program, and coaches will advise athletes when needed.

Regattas

• Cromwell Cup (Cambridge, MA):  TBD

• Canadian Henley Regatta (St Catharines, ONT):  Tuesday, August 5th - Sunday, August 10th – Sunday, August 4 (Depart Sunday, August 3 / Return Sunday, August 10). 

Please make sure that you have valid documents, such as a passport to enter Canada and valid and up-to-date immigration papers/US visa to return to the US.

Program Cost 

Cost for both men’s and women’s squads includes the cost of coaching for all sessions, all racing fees, club summer membership fees, equipment costs, access to the historic boathouse, housing at away regattas, and a racing unisuit. 

• Rowers: $3,100

• Coxswains: $2,000

Please note the above cost estimate reflects the 2025 program cost, and is subject to change for a variety of factors such as race fees, boat rental costs, or other relevant items. Price will be finalized before applications are accepted.

Important Dates and Deadlines

• Application Deadline: Until remaining seats are filled

• Notification of Acceptance:  On a rolling basis 

• Deposit Deadline:  A $1000 non-refundable deposit should be made to Riverside Boat Club using the provided paypal link or by check to the club within 10 days of acceptance to the program. The final deadline for deposit is May 22nd for applicants accepted prior to May 15th.

• Forms & Payment in Full:  All forms and payment are expected in full by the first practice on June 9th. No refunds will be given once the program begins unless there are extenuating circumstances. Only race fees may be discussed after this point. 

• Initial Athlete Meeting: A Zoom Call or Meeting will be scheduled for the morning of Saturday, June 6th.

• The purpose of this meeting will be to collect all outstanding forms & fees, to make introductions, provide an overview of the program, and to address questions from parents and athletes. Including Safety & Set up Day info.

Information and Forms 

• SafeSport Manual (Information) & Acknowledgement (Needs to be Completed and Submitted). Likely already completed, but need to ensure it will be valid

• RBC Waiver (Needs to be Completed and Submitted).

• Damage to any equipment caused by athlete misconduct will result in the athlete or athletes involved being invoiced the full cost. 

regattas & Past results

About OUR COACHES

Trevor Appier

Trevor is the Associate Head Coach for Northeastern University Men’s Rowing. A 2018 graduate of Northeastern, he has been coaching the Huskies for the past four years. During his tenure, he has helped guide the Huskies to the IRA Varsity 8+ grand final in 2 of the last 4 years, as well as program-best performances at Head of the Charles and in regular season racing. Before joining Northeastern, Trevor coached Boston College and Community Rowing Inc. where he guided the BC team to their best performances ever at the ACRA, NERC, NIRC, and HOCR. As an athlete, Appier was a 3-year Varsity 8 athlete, won multiple medals at the Eastern Sprints, raced in the IRA grand final twice, claimed several Canadian Henley titles, and served as captain for the Huskies. Post collegiately, Appier competed briefly in Australia and the US in the 1x and 2- in the pursuit of the U.S. Olympic Trials prior to the pandemic and beginning coaching in 2020. 

Appier is a US Rowing Level 2 certified coach with experience working across a wide range of skill levels and organization. He excels in designing training programs, team building, and developing athletes’ skills. Appier will provide tailored coaching for the Riverside U23 program culminating in athlete and team success.

Steven Sparks

Steven is the Associate Head Coach for College of the Holy Cross Men’s Rowing. He has coached the Crusaders for the past 3 years, coaching the third and fourth varsity boats to multiple program best performances. Steven has also spent time coaching at Tufts University and Cambridge Boat Club, winning multiple gold and silver medals at each respective season’s championship regatta. Alongside his former coach, Coach Trevor Appier, Sparks provides athletes with a love for training and racing through the simplification of improvement. 

Sparks was a two-year captain at Bates College, where he won the NESCAC championship, led a program second-best at HOCR, and the first-ever DIII nationals.  Sparks competed one year with Northeastern while obtaining his Master's in Sports Leadership and is a 2x All-American. Sparks pursues the US National Team through US trials and speed orders currently, through his post-collegiate racing here at Riverside. He has excelled within American club rowing at HOCR, Club Nationals, and Royal Henley Regatta and will lead athletes to summer rowing success.