FAQs

If you are unable to attend practice, notify the coaching staff as soon as possible. For absences on the day of practice, inform the coaches by 2pm or the boat you're in will stay on land. In exceptional circumstances, provide documentation of the reason for the absence as soon as you can.

Each rower is allowed up to six excused absences during the season.

Excused absences include medical appointments, family emergencies, school-related commitments, or other pre-approved situations.

Rowers are allowed four sick days during the season.

Any absence not categorized as excused or sick is considered unexcused and may impact your eligibility for upcoming races if you exceed the allowed number of absences.

Exceeding the limit of six absences or four sick days may affect your eligibility for being placed in a boat during upcoming races or events. The coaching staff will make decisions base don your attendance record, performance, and team commitment.

You may submit an appeal to the coaching staff with relevant documentation or an explanation if you believe an absence was miscounted or unfairly recorded.

Regular attendance is essential for individual and team growth. It contributes to the success of the team and ensures that everyone is contributing to their full potential.

Maintain regular and open communication with the coaching staff, parents/guardians, and team members to ensure transparency and understanding regarding attendance and absences.

Practices at the Power Plant will pause from December 21st, 2024 through January 6th, 2025. This is the best time amid the seasons to vacation. The boathouse will also be closed from November 25th through December 1st (Tuesday through Sunday of the week of Thanksgiving) except for Alumni Day on Friday, November 29th. Current rowers are encouraged but not required to attend as an opportunity to row with alumni and mingle with old teammates. Based on our summer schedules, if an athlete is interested in racing for our High-Performance Team, it is recommended that Families plan Summer travel in the latter half of July into the early weeks of August 2025

This is a common occurrence, and yes, a middle school rower with at least one prior season experience (fall, spring or minimum of 2 weeks summer intermediate) can join the beginner team. Most likely, your rower will be put in a leadership role in a boat, either stroke or bow seat to help bring their newer teammates up to speed quicker.

We really discourage this because it affects the number of rowers present on any given day and numbers are really important to setting lineups. Both the beginner and experienced teams are capped to ensure the maximum number of boats during daily practice and this is difficult to manage when we cannot expect the same roster day after day.

While attendance is not mandatory for our middle school rowers, we strongly encourage it since the more you row, the better you are. It is good practice to prioritize rowing as a middle schooler since attendance is absolutely mandatory in high school. Also, if we have a wait list for either middle school team, you might lose your seat if you cannot commit to either T Th or MWF practices. Of course, illnesses and unforeseen circumstances do not count.

We prioritize our middle school seats for 7th and 8th grade students. If we have any openings left before the first day of practice, your 6th grader may be eligible to join with a referral from a coach. We prioritize our middle school seats for 7th and 8th grade students. If we have any openings left before the first day of practice, your 6th grader may be eligible to join with a referral from a coach. Please submit a wait list and coach referral request by contacting our Middle School Coach, Nan Miller, at nan.miller@dallasunitedcrew.org.

We know rowing on the water is so much fun and make every attempt to hold practice at our boathouse. However, there are times when circumstances or weather prevent this and we conduct land workouts at the lake or move practice to our erg studio, Power Plant.

If your beginner or experienced 8th grader is excelling with the middle school curriculum and meeting pre-set criteria for high school rowing, it is possible to receive a coach recommendation to begin your competitive rowing career early.

While we don’t have any plans to travel to regattas with middle school events (these are primarily in upstate New York and Florida), we continue to pursue competitive opportunities within our region. As one of the few teams with a thriving middle school program, these opportunities are few and far between. We will, however, have inner-squad matches and opportunities for family and friends to come cheer on their rowers on our home lake.

Absolutely! The Adult Learn to Row program is designed specifically for beginners, so you’ll be in a group with people at a similar skill level. We’ll make sure you’re supported every step of the way.

Erg training uses rowing machines (ergometers) to simulate the rowing experience. It’s an excellent full-body workout with low impact, which means you’ll build strength and stamina without overstraining your joints.

No, all equipment (like boats, oars, etc.) will be provided for you. Just wear comfortable athletic gear (think tight-fitting clothes so they don’t get caught in equipment) and bring a water bottle.

Of course! We have a lot of rowers who return to the sport after a break, and we’d love to help you get back into shape. Just let the coach know your experience level, and they’ll make sure you get the right level of challenge to ease back into things.

Absolutely! Competing is optional, but we highly encourage it for those who feel ready. We have a supportive community that’s all about improving together, and if you want to race, we’ll be ready for you!

Not at all! While some rowers choose to compete in every race, competition is optional. You can focus on fitness or join in when you’re ready. We want to make sure you're comfortable with your training, and we offer races as an exciting way to take your skills to the next level.

Yes! During Power Plant open hours (Weekdays 6 AM-2 PM, 8 PM-10 PM; Saturdays 11 AM-10 PM; Sundays 6 AM-10 PM), you can come in and use the ergs even if there’s no scheduled session. Just be mindful that adults can’t access the facility during youth practices for safety reasons (due to SafeSport guidelines).

Each camp is tailored to specific age groups: Learn to Row: 12-18 years old (must be 12 years old at the start of camp). Continuing Skills Camp: 12-18 years old (must have completed Learn to Row or have at least one regular season of middle school rowing). Small Boats Development Camp & 2k Erg Camp: Rising 9th graders and high school rowers that have completed a year of competitive rowing. High Performance Camp: Youth rowers, U17 rowers, and graduating seniors (Class of 2025). Paddle Camp: Rising 2nd-6th graders.

You can register online through the "Register Now" link for each specific camp. Full payment is required at the time of registration to secure your spot. Please note, there are no refunds or prorating available for any of our camps.

Yes, campers can register for multiple camps if their schedules allow. For example, a rower may complete the Learn to Row camp and then move on to the Continuing Skills Camp. Rowers who attend the Small Boats Development Camp or the High Performance Camp are also highly encouraged to sign up for the 2k Erg Camp.

We recommend full attendance to gain the most from each camp. If your child must miss a day, please inform us ahead of time. Unfortunately, we cannot offer prorating for missed days.

Yes, the High Performance Camp and 2K Erg Camp are specifically designed to help rowers prepare for college recruitment. The High Performance Camp includes racing at the USRowing Summer RowFest National Championships, giving your child an opportunity to connect with college coaches at the Coaches Tent. The 2K Erg Camp also works with athletes on improving their erg scores, which is a key metric for college coaches.

Yes, the Learn to Row Camp is specifically for beginners with no previous experience. Campers will be grouped based on age and skill level to ensure the best learning experience.

If your child completed summer camp and has gained some experience, they may be eligible to join a team, depending on availability and the team's age/experience requirements.

The program is open to veterans, active military members, and civilians with disabilities. Whether you are new to rowing or have experience, we welcome you to join our growing community and participate at your own pace. The program is tailored to accommodate a wide range of needs, and there are no barriers to participation.

The main difference lies in the specialized equipment and coaching available. Adaptive rowing is designed to accommodate any impairment or disability. This might include modified boats, seating, or rowing machines, and coaching that focuses on creating a clear and effective path to success. Traditional rowing may not have the necessary modifications for individuals with specific needs, but adaptive rowing ensures everyone can participate.

Absolutely. Rowing can be an effective way to improve mental health by promoting relaxation, stress relief, and social connection. Many veterans with PTSD find rowing to be a therapeutic and empowering activity. The community and teamwork aspects also provide a strong support system for mental well-being.

Dragon boating is a team sport where 20 paddlers work together in a long, narrow boat (the "dragon boat") to paddle in sync down a race course. It’s a sport with deep cultural roots, originating over 2,000 years ago in China, but it’s become a popular activity worldwide, accessible to anyone regardless of age or fitness level.

Not at all! Dragon boating is open to everyone, from beginners to seasoned paddlers. Our team is made up of people with diverse backgrounds and experience levels, and we welcome new paddlers with open arms.

Absolutely! We offer two free trial practices throughout the year so you can get a feel for the sport and see if it’s right for you. All you have to do is complete the trial registration and RSVP for one of the open practices on Meetup.

Dragon boating is rooted in the research of Dr. Don McKenzie, who proved that upper body exercise, like paddling, can reduce post-operative complications such as lymphedema. Since then, dragon boating has become a global movement for breast cancer survivors, encouraging health, fitness, and community-building.

No previous dragon boating experience is needed. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or new to paddling, DUC PINK is a supportive team where every survivor can start at their own pace. We provide all the training you need, along with equipment to get you started.

Wear comfortable, athletic clothing suitable for both land and water activities. We provide the equipment, including paddles and life jackets, as well as a team jersey when you register for the season.