2025–26 Novice Squad

The Porirua Rowing Club Novice Squad is open to first-year rowers who want to challenge themselves, learn new skills, and be part of a fun and supportive team environment. You’re looking to compete and to experience a new sport, this is where your rowing journey begins.

🏁 Regattas & Competitions

Novice rowers will compete in a series of inter-club regattas throughout the Wellington region and across the North Island, with the season building towards the New Zealand Rowing Championships in Cambridge (February 2026).

  • Local regattas are usually held on Saturdays

  • Away regattas involve weekend travel with the team

  • Depending on school numbers, crews may also be eligible for secondary school regattas in February – March 2026

📅 Training Schedule

Training begins with three sessions per week, increasing to five sessions from January 2026 as we prepare for major events. All trainings are held on Te Awarua o Porirua Harbour in team boats (4s and 8s), so regular attendance is essential.

September – December 2025:

  • Tuesdays & Thursdays: 5:00 – 7:00pm

  • Saturdays: 8:00 – 10:00am

January – March 2026 (to be confirmed):

  • Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays: 5:00 – 7:00pm

  • Saturdays & Sundays: 8:00 – 10:00am

Final schedule may vary slightly and will be confirmed with input from rowers, parents, and coaches.

🧠 Training Programme

Every rower receives a detailed training plan that outlines session times, training camps, and regattas.

Our programme focuses on:

  • Full-body physical development

  • Mobility, aerobic endurance & general strength

  • Rowing technique, race tactics & safety

  • Building teamwork, discipline & confidence

🚌 Transport & Club Facilities

Getting to training is easy!

  • The club is just 220m from a bus stop

  • Rowers can arrive early after school to do homework using club Wi-Fi

  • Parents only need to collect after training – one pickup, less stress

☀️ Summer Break & Training Camp

Rowers get a holiday break from late December to mid-January, but we encourage 2–3 light workouts per week during this time to maintain fitness.

  • Optional supervised sessions will continue at the club for those who stay local

  • A 4-day training camp will be held in mid-January (dates & venue to be confirmed)

💰 novice Season Fees & associated costs

 The annual subscription fees to the Porirua Rowing Club for the 2025-26 season cover the period 1st Sep 2025 – 31st Aug 2026. 

  • Competitive rower membership: $750

  • Coxswain membership: $200
  • These amounts include the costs associated with RowingNZ and Wellington Rowing Association affiliation fees.

Regatta and training camp costs for the regatta season are charged on a user-pays basis. These are usually between $2500 and $3000, depending on the number of regattas and camps they participate in.

📘 Commitment & Expectations

Joining the Novice Squad means becoming part of a team. All rowers are expected to:

  • Attend trainings regularly

  • Participate in all scheduled regattas

  • Join training camps and club activities

Details are outlined in our 2025–26 Rowers Handbook.

💬 Want to Know More?

We’re here to help! If you’re ready to give rowing a go or want more information, get in touch with us today. Our club is all about helping people be their best — while keeping things fun, balanced, and rewarding.

Registrations to join the 2025-26 Novice Squad will be open at the end of the 2025 Learn to ROW course.