Junior Beginner’s Squad
The Junior Beginners group is for all juniors new to sculling or who have previously only sculled in crew boats. TSS focuses on achieving competence in single sculling as the foundation for all good sculling and rowing.
The aim is for the juniors to learn how move a boat effectively using correct sequencing and blade work and to manage a single scull i.e. be able to row forwards, backwards, spin the boat in a 360 quickly and perform an emergency stop all without falling in.
Capsizing does happen so it is essential that the juniors are confident swimmers and we do provide a swim test and capsize drill in a local swimming pool. (If conditions are hazardous for new beginners in singles they will boat in crew boats and learn to manage doubles and bow steer quads. In extreme conditions and during river closures sessions will be land based on ergos and in the gym)
The group meets for 2 hour sessions on a Saturday and Sunday currently starting at noon. With regular attendance and after 12 or more water sessions the juniors are usually ready to move onto other more advanced groups.
The J12-14s move onto the J13/14 Racers group where given further regular attendance three times a week they should be able to compete in the summer regattas.
The J15 – 18s usually move into the Junior Development group training twice at the weekend before moving progressively into the Junior Women or Junior Mens squads which train up to 4 times during the week as well as weekends.
TSS Junior Development Group
The Junior Development Group meets on Saturdays and Sunday afternoons. It is for J15 – J18 competent single scullers who are developing their skills, strength and boat speed prior to transferring to the Junior Women or Junior Men squads or scullers who wish to just enjoy sculling at the weekends with out the extra commitments required to join the racing squads.