Mission
To develop youth and adults of all social and economic backgrounds through the sport of rowing by providing experienced and knowledgeable instruction, a variety of skill-enhancing programs, and world-class facilities.
Founded: 1982
IRS Status: 501(c) (3) Not-for-Profit
Staff Members: 2 fulltime staff, 6-10 part-time coaches
Governance: Executive Board provides strategic direction (18 members). Executive Director is chief operating officer of the organization.
The Center
Indianapolis Rowing Center (IRC) is located in Eagle Creek Park on the Northwest side of Indianapolis. The facilities include a large pole barn that houses private boats, club boats, and boats belonging to area colleges. There are on-site showers and restroom facilities, as well as the coach’s office. The boathouse is open March- November.
The directors office and year-round office of IRC is located in the Eagle Creek Park Headquarters (7840 W. 56th St.). The building is next to the finish tower.
IRC hosts a number of annual events: The Indianapolis Indoor Rowing Championships in January; The State of Indiana Regatta in March; and the Head of the Eagle Regatta in October.
IRC hosted the World Rowing Championships in 1994 and the NCAA National Rowing Championships in 2002 and 2003.
The Programs
Juniors: A competitive high school program comprising of 80-90 students from 17 area high schools. The juniors compete in fall and spring regattas throughout the Midwest. Open to any student ages 12-18, no experience necessary.
Masters: A program for post-collegiate scullers and rowers. This team program is coached four times a week. Team goals and expectations are set each season, and a training plan is laid out for the team. Masters rowers compete locally and Nationally throughout the year.
Adults: A program for post collegiate scullers and rowers at the recreational level. This team program is coached three times a week. There is no training plan or goals for the members, just rowing together, getting in a good workout, meeting friends and having fun.
Learn to Row 1 Classes: These are designed for beginners and include 8 sessions over the period of a month. Sweep rowing and sculling will be taught at the basic level.
Learn to Row 2 Classes: These are intermediate level courses for individuals who have completed the Learn to Row 1 class. The focus will be on sweep rowing.
Intermediate Sculling: This class is designed for the intermediate level sculler who wishes to become more comfortable in sculling boats. Learn to Row 1 or 2 graduates are eligible to take this class.
RowIndy: IRC runs a rowing program at two IPS high schools (Crispus Attucks and Shortridge) at no cost to participants. The program is designed to introduce high school students to the sport of rowing, improve their grades through tutoring from the coaching staff, teaching them time management, responsibility, and leadership. IRC also offers swim lessons at a local pool and the opportunity to pass a swim test so that they don’t have to wear lifejackets while rowing. They are also advised about college scholarship opportunities that are available. IRC is also in the process of starting up an Adaptive Rowing Program. We are in the preliminary stages of our planning and hope to have more information soon!
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