Race for Team USA

WINTER IDENTIFICATION CAMPS

Regional Land-Based One-Day ID Camps 

Purpose: 
Provide accessible, educational, and data-driven opportunities for athletes nationwide to engage with the Pathways system. 

Key Features: 

• Eight national sites: Marin, Mercer, Pocock, CRI, OARS, Chicago Rowing Federation, GPS and McCallie Rowing Center, and Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas.
• Combines erg testing, functional movement, and educational sessions
• Open to athletes, coxswains, and coaches
• Entry-level opportunity feeding into Water ID and HP Winter Camps 

Athlete Profile: 
All motivated U19 athletes, regardless of experience—especially those not yet connected to the national system. 

Target Athlete Metrics:

• Open to all athletes. No specific erg or testing standards required.
• Designed to be an educational and inclusive entry point.
• Note: No single erg score qualifies or disqualifies an athlete. Invitations to further Pathways opportunities are based on combined performance data, on-water results, and coach recommendations.

U19 Pathways Water ID Camp (One-Day) 

Purpose: 
 Offer mid-tier, on-water evaluation opportunities between the land-based and winter camps. 

Key Features: 

• Water-based assessments in large boats (4+/8+ or 4x)
• Functional movement and technical evaluations
• Educational sessions on national team culture and athlete pathways
• Invite only—application through USRowing Member Portal
• Typically held in early spring (March) at accessible venues such as Mercer Lake 

Athlete Profile: 
 Athletes with promising erg and technical metrics seeking in-person feedback and exposure to USRowing staff. 

Target Athlete Metrics: 

• Men: 6:00–6:35
• Women: 6:55–7:30
• Note: These are target ranges, not qualification standards. All invitations are determined by erg data, on-water performance, and coach input. 

U19 High-Performance (HP) Winter Camp 

Purpose: 
Accelerate the development of top U19 athletes through exposure to high-performance training, testing, and education. 

Key Features: 

• Held at the Elite Athlete Training Center, Chula Vista, CA
• Two sessions: January 16–19 and January 23–26, 2026
• Focused on small boat training, lactate step testing, and time trials
• Directly informs summer Selection and SDC invitations
• Includes educational modules on nutrition, recovery, and technical model
• Invite only—application required via USRowing Member Portal 

Athlete Profile: 
 Top U19 athletes aiming for 2026 National Team selection. 

Target Athlete Metrics: 

• Men: 5:55–6:25
• Women: 6:50–7:20
• Note: Ranges reflect typical profiles of HP-level athletes. No single erg score guarantees selection; overall athletic, technical, and performance indicators are evaluated. 

U19 NATIONAL TEAM AND SUMMER DEVELOPMENT CAMPS

There are three USRowing camps for U19 athletes: selection camp, selection development camp, and pathways development camp. Learn more about each camp below. 

2026 Under 19 Selection Camp

Comprised of athletes identified and invited to compete to race at the World Rowing Under 19 Championships.

2026 Under 19 Selection Development Camp

The bridge from youth rowing to Under 19 Selection Camp. This level focuses on developing skills, processes, technique, and mindset to give athletes the tools they need to take their rowing to the next level.

2026 Pathways Development Camp

Athletes who are looking to fine tune their skills and become prospective high performance athletes.