Camps

2026 U23 High-Performance Winter Camp Details 

1. Mission Statement 

The USRowing U23 High-Performance (HP) Winter Camp aims to accelerate the development of the top U23-eligible athletes in the country by immersing them in a high-performance training environment. This camp serves as a critical identification point for athletes preparing to compete on the international stage and represent the United States at either the 2026 U23 World Rowing Championships in Duisburg, Germany or the 2026 World University Championships in Ontario, Canada. 

2. Purpose & Goals 

• Develop Future National Team Athletes: Provide advanced technical and physiological training aligned with senior national team standards. 
• Identify Top Talent: Evaluate athletes’ readiness for international competition through small-boat speed orders and physiological testing. 
• Reunite Returning Athletes: Bring together members of the 2025 U23 National Team to continue their development and provide an early opportunity to build chemistry for 2026 crew selection. 
• Strengthen Pathways Alignment: Ensure a clear connection from HP Winter Camp into the U23 Selection Camp and World University Championships identification. 
• Elevate Standards: Expose athletes to national team methodology, expectations, and performance culture at the next level of the pathway. 

3. Target Audience 

Rowers: U23-eligible athletes demonstrating top national-level performance and potential to compete internationally. 
  
Coxswains: U23-eligible coxswains showing advanced leadership, technical, and communication skills appropriate for national team consideration. 
  
Athletes must apply to be considered and will be accepted by invitation only. Those targeting the 2026 U23 National Team or 2026 WUC are highly encouraged to apply. 

4. Expected Attendance 

• Location: Elite Athlete Training Center, Chula Vista, CA 
• Dates: December 18–22, 2025 
• Size: ~40–45 athletes per gender (80–90 athletes total) 
• Cost: $695 per athlete 
• Financial Note: The goal of this camp is to operate as revenue neutral—covering costs without generating surplus revenue. 

5. Training Center Information 

• The camp will be hosted at the Elite Athlete Training Center in Chula Vista, California. 
• Travel: Athletes flying in should book flights into San Diego International Airport (SAN). Transportation will be provided between SAN and the training center on arrival and departure days. 
• Meals: Three meals per day are included in the training center dining hall. 
• Housing: On-site housing is included. Bedding and towels are provided by the training center. 
• Environment: On-site housing, training, and dining create a fully immersive high-performance environment. 

6. Staff Roles & Responsibilities 

• HP Winter Camp Head Coach: Oversees technical program, athlete selection, and camp execution. 
• Assistant Coaches: Support small-boat coaching, testing, and data collection. 
• Performance Staff: Administer physiological testing (lactate step tests) and movement assessments. 
• Support Staff: Manage logistics, housing, meals, transportation, and administrative support. 

7. Run of Show (Sample Schedule) 

• Day 1: Arrival, boat rigging, technical review, light row, welcome meeting 
• Day 2: Lactate step test (groups throughout day), small-boat training (AM/PM), evening athlete education session 
• Day 3: Lactate step test (groups throughout day), small-boat training (AM/PM), evening athlete education session 
• Day 4: Small-boat time trials (Winter Speed Order) 
• Day 5: Final meetings, debrief, departure 

8. Testing & Evaluation Protocols 

• Physiological: Lactate step test 
• Technical: Small-boat training sessions and racing 
• Data Collection: Results compiled and connected to each athlete’s USRowing profile for use in U23 Selection Camp and WUC identification 

9. Educational Programming 

• National Team Culture & Expectations 
• USRowing Technical Model & Boat Class Progression 
• Performance Lifestyle Skills (recovery, nutrition, mental performance) 
• Pathways Overview: Clear next steps for U23 Selection Camp and World University Championships 

10. Communications & Outreach 

• Application Opens: September 24, 2025 (via USRowing Member Portal) 
• Application Deadline: Monday, November 14, 2025 
• Notifications: Athletes notified by November 21, 2025 
• Pre-camp: Emails with travel, packing, and testing information 
• Post-camp: Follow-up with results, feedback, and next steps in the U23 and WUC Pathways 

Under 23 Selection Camp

Comprised of athletes that are invited for selection to race at the World Rowing Under 23 Championships and represent the United States on an international stage.

Application Open: TBD

Application Deadline: TBD

Application Assessment Period: TBD

Athlete Notification: Rolling invites TBD

Waitlist: Yes

Testing Requirements: 2K and 6K 

Coxswains: Please submit your additional materials (race recording, etc.) by completing this FORM. Please instruct your current Head Coach to submit your recommendation from by completing this FORM.

Scholarship: USRowing has limited funds available through the United We Row Scholarship Program. To apply please fill out this FORM. This application is separate from the U23 Selection Camp application located in the member portal. Both must be completed to be considered.

Selection Camp Invitations

Invitations to selection camp will be sent in April.  There are 19 seats per gender available at selection camp. Many metrics will determine who will be invited athletes.  Examples of the metrics used include erg data, physical anthropomorphic data, athlete skill, racing results, coach recommendations, and submitted video/audio (coxswains). 

Requirements to receive an invitation:
*Subject to change as eligibility rules evolve. 

• Current USRowing Championship membership
• Valid 12-lead ECG signed by a doctor & a cardiovascular physical exam - Click here for more detail. 
• Current Safesport certificate
• All rowing erg results (6k, 2k, 1-minute, and 100m) and anthropometric data MUST be submitted through the USRowing Membership portal. Below are the steps to follow in order to submit all of the required information:

                    1.     Log into your USRowing member portal.

                    2.     Click "Edit Profile"

                    3.     Confirm your contact details are up to date and correct  

                    4.     Click "Athlete Profile"

                    5.     Click "Yes" to confirm your participation in the Pathways program

                    6.     Fill in all information for Athlete Metrics

• Rower: submitted video of race cadence rowing (recommended, not required)
• Coxswains ONLY: submitted two-minute (maximum) audio of race recording 
• Coach recommendation

Additional Requirement

• NCSI Background Check
  • The background check will be required only after an invite has been offered and the athlete has accepted, in writing, the invitation to selection camp. A background check is NOT required to receive an invite to selection camp. 
  • A background check must be submitted before May 20th to participate in selection camp and competition.  Athletes invited to selection camp after May 20th will be provided deadlines for submission along with their invite.
  • Athletes who have accepted their invite to selection camp will be sent instructions on how to complete this step.