High School Rowing in Traverse City

Competing in the sport of rowing is different from competition in other sports. Rather than one-on-one meets like you would see if football, baseball, or basketball, a small rowing regatta consists of 7-10 teams, typical regattas are 15-20 teams, and championship races are typically 25-60 teams. Typical regattas are one full day long with 15-25 events while championship regattas are often two days long and have 30+ events.

Most MHSAA sports compete at the local level, the regional (subset of the state) level, and at the state championship – with states being the highest level of competition. Rowers compete at the state level, regionals (12-state Midwest Championship to qualify for Nationals), and at the National Championship (for qualifying crews only). Competition for rowing starts where almost all other sports end!

Rowing events are categorized by gender, age/experience, and boat type. For example, there are events for freshman, novices (first scholastic year of rowing), juniors (11th grade or under), and varsity (1V, 2V, 3V) for each boat type (one-person, two-person, four-person, and eight-person shells).

Fall races are between 1,500m (~1 mile) and 3,500m (~2.25 miles). There is no limit to the number of races each person can be in and each team is usually allowed to enter more than one boat per event. All events are time trials with boats cross the start line on 15-20 second centers. This format gives new rowers a good opportunity to learn and race without the pressure of side by side competition. During the fall season we practice and compete as one team regardless of the school you attend.

The spring is championship season and racing is 1,500m (~1 mile). Each athlete is allowed to race in a maximum of two events and teams are only allowed to enter one boat per event in most cases. Most events are heats to finals and crews line up 6-8 boats wide, start at the same time, and sprint to the finish line – often battling for position the entire way! This format is fun for the athletes and exciting for parents and spectators. Championship races often have livestreaming available so you can see the entire race even if you can’t attend!

During the spring season each team may only represent a single scholastic entity which means we split our rowers and event entries between TC Central and TC West. We still practice as one team, share the same equipment and coaching staff, wear the same uniform, and support each other as one team but are required to race separately.  Those who live within the TCAPS school district but are homeschooled or attend a different school are permitted to race as either Central or West.