East Tennessee’s Premier Youth Rowing Program
Atomic Rowing is a nationally recognized youth rowing program were It takes dedication, hard work and passion to become a champion. At Atomic Rowing, we coach those that are passionate about the sport of Rowing, because with passion, will come the dedication to win. The coaches at Atomic Rowing will help you learn, train, and push the limits of your athletic ability in order to help you succeed. It is a fun competitive rowing program that encourages and emphasizes good sportsmanship and individual responsibility that can be enjoyed for a lifetime. Team members are encouraged to achieve personal as well as team goals through regularly scheduled practices. A competitive and supportive rowing experience can be a catalyst to a lifelong love of the sport.
What is Atomic Rowing?
East Tennessee’s year-round traveling youth rowing program open to young men and women supported by the Oak Ridge Rowing Association (ORRA), in Oak Ridge, TN. The Oak Ridge Juniors youth program, the oldest youth rowing program for Knoxville-Oak Ridge metro area with a tradition of rowing excellence since 1982, changed to Atomic Rowing in 2008 to reflect the athletes in the program.
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What is the ORRA?
The Oak Ridge Rowing Association strives to provide river access to all citizens in East Tennessee. We are committed to taking an under-used asset, the river, and creating a recreational centerpiece for the county. We are a not for-profit rowing community and the youth team is our cornerstone program.
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 "We like to look for athletes who want to compete and are willing to make the necessary sacrifices to win. Once we find them, we can teach them how to row." ~ Head Coach Allen Eubanks
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Why rowing?
People love rowing because not only is it is a sport, it is exercise, social interaction, a form of meditation, a passionate endeavor and more. Rowers are considered some of the fittest athletes in the world because of the amount of work one puts into going fast. This full body activity improves strength, endurance and balance without risk of contact injuries or torque and pressure on joints. Rowing is a top aerobic activity that develops excellent overall physical conditioning. Rowing requires strength, endurance, balance, concentration, coordination, and the will to win that makes you push through the pain. Come to practice for two weeks at no obligation and try it out. Be warned - most that try it usually love it after 1 day.
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What are the advantages of rowing?
Rowing uses more major muscle groups than any other sporting activity. The primary groups engaged are the legs, back and stomach, arms, shoulders, and hands. As the boat supports all your weight, there is no jarring of the joints and it is a very safe sport compared to running or other contact sports.
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Where does Atomic Rowing train?
Atomic Rowing practices on Melton Hill Lake at The Oak Ridge Boathouse at 697 Melton Lake Drive, on the East end of Oak Ridge. We share a dock with the ORRA Adult programs and a parking lot with the New China Palace.
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What school does Atomic Rowing represent?
Atomic Rowing is not affiliated with any school system. Rowing is conducted in accordance with USRowing, rowing's national governing body. Atomic Rowing is open to students from every school in the Knoxville-Oak Ridge Metro area including youth that are home schooled. Generally, Atomic Rowing’s athletes are with in a twenty (20) mile radius of the Boathouse. We have typically had athletes from the following schools: Anderson County HS, Bearden HS, Central HS, Clinton HS, Christian Academy of Knoxville, Farragut HS, Halls HS, Harden Valley Academy, Jefferson MS, Karns HS, Knoxville Catholic HS, Oak Ridge HS, Oliver Springs HS, Powell HS, Robertsville MS, St. Mary's Catholic School, Webb School of Knoxville, West HS and more.
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At what age am I eligible to join Atomic Rowing?
To be eligible to join Atomic Rowing you have to have reached the age of 13 but not yet attained the age of 19 in the current calendar year and have been continuously enrolled in secondary school as a full time student seeking a diploma. You cease to be an eligible participate with Atomic Rowing after December 31 of the calendar year of your 18th birthday or of the year in which you complete the 12th grade whichever is later.
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Can I join Atomic Rowing at anytime?
Atomic Rowing conducts two registration days each year. Following registration day new athletes will be given a two week tryout period to learn skill development and equipment usage. ALL athletes attending Registration Day 9:00am-3:00pm will receive instruction on basic rowing technique, and need to be ready to work out!
• Fall Registration Day • |
• Spring Registration Day • |
Second weekend in August |
Second weekend in February |
(Aug 8th, 2009) |
(Feb 13th, 2010) |
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What if I cant make it on Registration Day?
Atomic Rowing's registration window is open from registration day till the end of the month. However, the trial window will not be extended.
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What if I have never rowed before?
Rowing is a great "walk-on" sport, which offers youth with no prior rowing experience the opportunity to tryout, walk-on and learn a totally new sport as a part of the Novice Squad.
The Novice Squad is a one-year developmental team of 40 (male and female) who are in preparation for selection to the Varsity Squad in subsequent years. The squad has no previous rowing experience and only competes against other novice squads.
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Do I have to try-out?
Yes, All new athletes will row/train for two weeks. At the end of the trial period crew selection will be made. Regrettably must limit our program size due to safety and available equipment. Once a Novice athlete makes the roster, all subsequent years they are on the varsity team without trying out.
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How many athletes will make each crew?
Atomic Rowing uses a coach to athlete ratio to set the program cap of 96 athletes (not including coxswains). Each crew can take up to 24 athletes safely on the water.
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What are the coaches looking for during try-outs?
Body construction, size to strength ratio, character, leadership, coach-ability, competitiveness, positive “I can do it”, “I will try it” attitude, confidence, sportsmanship, team player mentality, athletic potential. If your son/daughter is in 8th grade it may be that they are not emotionally ready to be on this team. We will work with you to make this determination.
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How will the coaches look for these traits?
For most of the try-out period the athletes will not be on the water. The coaches will work with the athletes on land to teach the rowing stroke, assess fitness, work one-on-one to determine coach-ability, perform fitness, flexibility and strength testing as well as perform team skills workouts. The idea here is that once we find the right athletes, we can teach them the technique of rowing after they have made the team. We will make sure that the athletes have a chance to see rowing in action; we understand that they are trying out a new sport in addition to our trying them out as athletes.
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Will rowing help me get into college?
The top rowing universities in the country routinely scout our athletes. Crew offers possibilities beyond high school, as Atomic Rowing alumni have rowed for Princeton, Syracuse, Boston College, University of Tennessee, University of Alabama, University of Texas, UCLA, University of Virginia, University of Michigan to name a few. Most importantly, crew gives you a chance to be part of a team that values determination and rewards effort, both of which help develop important life skills.
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Bryna Oleshansky, a five-year member and women's team captain of Atomic Rowing announced on Dec. 9 that she would be continue her rowing career attending the University of Michigan in the fall of 2010 on a full rowing scholarship. Full Story |
Can I play another sport or be in the band?
Atomic Rowing's primary season is spring, however we train and compete in the fall, winter as well. We want to make available athletes to play a fall or winter sport for their high school sports team or participate in the band. Athletes need to come to rowing immediately following the conclusion of the season. Athletes that decide to do this, please contact the coach to let them know of your intentions to come to the team at a later date. Athletes that miss the fall season need to be aware that they will be a season behind other athletes on the team in skill and sports specific conditioning. Atomic Rowing does not encourage athletes in the spring season to be involved in other spring sports or activities that would reduce or distract from training.
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When does the team practice?
Novice Crews:
Monday – Thursday 4:30pm to 6:30pm
Varsity Crews:
Monday – Friday 4:30pm to 6:30pm
Varsity rowers are strongly encouraged to participate five days a week, while novice rowers may practice slightly fewer days. Occasionally, practices might go slightly over time, especially as novices learn to care for the shells, launch, etc. There is a lot involved in putting them away and problems arise. We also never know what will happen out on the water with wind, equipment issues etc. Coaches do the best job they can to get the kids out on time. Parent involvement is critical to the success of the program.
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How do I know what position I will play?
Rowing is the ultimate sport because the synchronicity of the crew is more important than any one athlete. There are no super stars in rowing, since it requires everyone on the team to make a crew successful. In our sport we call our positions “seats”. Crew is competitive and acquireing seat in top the boats is a detailed process. Ability, seat racing, erg times, conditioning, and attitude all play a part in determining the makeup of a boat. Illness or injury can be a factor from week to week. Coaches aim to put the fastest boats on the water for every regatta.
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What is rowing’s competitive season?
Rowing is one of the few sports where athletes practice and compete year round. In addition many athletes train at various regional and national rowing camps held around the country during the summer.
• FALL, we focus on building technical proficiency and improving physical strength and endurance starting in the middle of August and lasting till the middle November.
• WINTER, middle of November till end of January.
• SPRING is the primary season for rowing, and the majority of schedule is composed of dual races. Starting in February finishing in Mid May to early June.
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Where does Atomic Rowing Compete?
Atomic Rowing competes in about five headraces or time trial events each fall in Oak Ridge, Chattanooga, Philadelphia, and the largest fall race in the country the Head of the Charles Regatta held in Boston, Massachusetts each October. At the end of winter training race we race indoors on rowing machines at the Tennessee Indoor Championships and we send our fastest rowers to the CRASH-B Sprints in Boston. In the spring since Oak Ridge has one of the priemer sprint rowing courses in the country many of our events are here at home. However, we are still able to travel St. Louis, Atlanta, Clemson, Tampa, Sarasota, Cincinatti, Chattanooga, and Ashville.
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How competitive is Atomic Rowing?
Atomic Rowing has been competing successfully on the local, regional, and national level since 1982. Atomic Rowing has won the 1996 Scholastic Women’s Junior Four, 1999 Southeast Region Men’s Eight, 2001 Southeast Region Women’s Eight, 2005 Southeast Region Men’s Eight, 2008 Scholastic Men’s Junior Double, and 2009 Southeast Region Youth Men’s Quad. The program has competed in twelve out of the fourteen USRowing Youth National Championships. Athletes from the program have been invited to row on the USRowing Junior National Teams as well as National and Regional development camps.
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How safe is rowing?
Rowing is a very safe and low impact sport but injuries can happen in any sport. Atomic Rowing is serious about safety, and we follow an extensive plan in accordance with the USRowing (the national governing body for rowing) to assure that we continue to conduct our rowing safely. Our safety launch will accompany you are all times, and is equipped with VHF marine radio and cell phone, life jackets, and other safety equipment. Your athlete's health is more important than any medal. Rowers should be prepared to row in light rain by bringing a rain jacket, layers of clothing, and dry clothing for after they return to the dock.
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Who are the coaches?
Atomic Rowing coaches are recognized coaches of the USRowing Coaches Education Program, each have access to the most comprehensive training and certification program for youth coaches of any sport in the United States. The coaching staff is lead by Head Coach Allen Eubanks, entering his ninth year with Atomic Rowing, was nationally recognized in 2007 as the USRowing Sportsman of the Year. The coaching staff provides assurances that the time athletes spend rowing will be quality time.
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Do I have to buy a boat and oars?
Atomic Rowing will provide you with the equipment in order to start rowing.
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What do I wear to practices?
As a year round, all-weather water sport, it is important that rowers dress for both performance and safety. The best attire for rowing is clothing that fits close to the body, yet is still flexible and able to be layered for warmth. Oversized, baggy clothing can get caught in the wheels of the seat or on the oar handle, so avoid large shorts and sweatshirts.
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Does Atomic Rowing offer a summer camp?
If your son or daughter is between age 12-18 and not yet a part of Atomic Rowing but would like to try it, we offer a summer rowing camp for East Tennessee youth. Atomic Rowing offers two eight-day camps held at the Oak Ridge Boathouse Mon - Thr 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM. Participation in the Summer Camps is encouraged but not mandatory. This beginner to intermediate camp is an introduction to rowing that will focus on basic rowing skills and training. No prior rowing experience needed, however, all camp participants must be able to swim. Participants of the Novice Camp will receive a discount on Atomic Rowing program fees. Space is limited to attend. Cost: $200. If you plan on attending camp, please register using our links on the right side of the page.
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Is my family expected to be involved?
We encourage parents to help with at least one fundraising activity as well as join us at as many regattas as you can make it to. Support of, and participation in, fund-raising is especially important. These activities not only make it possible to have a crew program but also provide a way for parents to be involved in their children's lives and get to know other parents. A junior rower’s family is expected to provide a minimum of 20 hours of volunteer support during each rowing season. Atomic Rowing Boosters need help at regattas and fund-raising events. Since Atomic Rowing fees are the programs budget and do not cover the purchase equipment. Support of the athletes at events and rowing equipment is very expensive, a new eight person shell cost $35,000, rowing machines cost $900+, and oars are $375 a piece. Fund raising, program sponsorship and equipment donors are very important to the operations of Atomic Rowing, during the season, each rower is expected to participate in all fundraising opportunities for Atomic Rowing as well as supporting the regattas hosted by ORRA.
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Welcome to Atomic Rowing
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