GGRC proudly offers the opportunity for students from our local communities to learn to row and compete in America's original collegiate sport. Rowing, although rich in its history and traditions, has until recently been enjoyed primarily by a privileged few. GGRC celebrates rowing by diversifying those who can participate and strives to provide an engaging experience through teamwork and competition.
Dates for the 2025 GGRC Youth Season:
Spring Rowing - March 16 - May 29
Summer Rowing - Session 1 - June 15 - July 9
Summer Rowing - Session 2 - July 13 - August 6
Fall Rowing - August 24 - October 25
2026 SPRING SEASON INFORMATION
Dates: March 16 - May 29
Practice Times: Monday- Friday from 4:00 - 6:00 pm
Coach: Rich Whelan & Caitlin Smith
Race Schedule: GGRC will attend local races on the Mystic and Malden Rivers as well as regattas in Worcester, Fall River, and Lowell. The schedule for these races is in process and will be posted as soon as it is available.
Cost: The cost is $1000 for the 2026 Spring Season. This includes coaching, equipment, transportation of equipment too and from regattas, and race fees. Athletes will need to join USRowing (Basic Membership). USRowing memberships are good for a calendar year from the date of joining.
Uniforms: We will be requiring rowers to purchase a uniform “kit” for the season. Details on this will be posted.
BOTH NEW AND EXPERIENCED ROWERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO JOIN UP TO ROW WIITH GGRC - 8TH GRADE THROUGH SENIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL
2026 SUMMER SEASON INFORMATION:
Dates: Youth Summer Rowing takes place over two 4-week sessions.
Session 1 - June 15 - July 9
Session 2 - July 13 - August 6
Practice Times: Monday, Wednesday, & Thursday from 4:30 - 6:00 pm
Coach: Rich Whelan
Cost: $130 per session or $230 for both.
Will a rower be able to learn to row? YES! Novice rowers are welcome in Session 1, but cannot be accommodated in Session 2 as our rowers will be progressing and learning new skills throughout the summer.
2026 FALL SEASON INFORMATION:
Dates: August 25 - October 25
Practice Times: Monday- Friday from 4:00 - 6:00 pm
Coach: Rich Whelan & Caitlin Smith
Race Schedule*: We plan to attend the Springfield Rockrimmon, CRI Fall Classic Regatta, Textile River Regatta, New Hampshire Championships, Head of the Charles, and Head of the Fish. Other regattas may be added.
Cost: Thanks to a donation from Gentle Giant Moving Company, the cost for rowers in Somerville, Everett, and Malden is $0. The cost for rowers outside of those cities is $1050. The fee includes coaching, equipment, transportation of equipment too and from regattas, and race fees*.
*The Race Fee for Head of the Fish is NOT included and will be charged to those rowers interested in racing at that location. The Head of the Fish is held in Saratoga, NY and will require rowers spend an overnight.
Gentle Giant Youth Rowing programs have been running since 2003. Each spring, summer, and fall season, high school students from GGRC’s partner cities Somerville, Everett and Malden, as well as many other cities and towns from the Mystic River Watershed, join together to compete as the GGRC Junior Giants.
Races include the Celebration Regatta in Lawrence, Methuen City Sprints, Festival Regatta, Cromwell Cup, Providence Sweeps & Sculls, Textile River Regatta, the New Hampshire Championships, the Head of the Charles, and more. All high school age youth are welcome.
Somerville High School has been a partner of the Gentle Giant Rowing Club every spring season since 2003.The SHS team rows out of the Blessing of the Bay Boathouse competing in the Massachusetts Public School Rowing Association. GGRC provides the rowing equipment and management, and the school department funds coaching stipends and the travel budget for the team.
Everett High School Crew started rowing in the Spring of 2014 and were partnered with the Somerville High School Highlanders to form the Somerville-Everett “High Tide”. EHS went independent from GGRC in 2021 and relocated to Rivergreen Park in Everett on the shore of the Malden River. GGRC assists EHS as needed and partners with them for the Fall rowing season.
Malden High School Crew has been a partner of the Gentle Giant Rowing Club every spring season since 2005. The Golden Tornados from Bloomberg Business Week Magazine’s 2009 “Best Place to Raise Your Kids” row from the Malden Rowing Center at 356 Commercial Street in Malden. They compete in the Massachusetts Public School Rowing Association. As of 2015, Malden High School is an independent program. GGRC remains involved with them by allowing them to borrow equipment as needed. as well as assisting with maintenance on their equipment.
