The Boston Rowing Federation is a pan-river, Greater Boston effort to support oarsmen and oarswomen who are capable of contending for Olympic and Paralympic medals in the current quadrennial and who have committed to live and train in Boston. Support may include career advancing opportunities, mentoring, and coverage of certain training and travel expenses. Interested athletes should contact Gregg Stone at bostonrowingfederation@gmail.com.
Beginning in the 2026 season, BRF will also initiate a summer program to help
promising collegiate athletes develop their small boat skills in preparation for testing for the senior national team. Interested athletes should contact Sarah Baker and Jon Smith at bostonrowingfederation@gmail.com.
In the past, the Charles River has been home to a handful of senior level athletes who have gone on to medal at World Championships and the Olympics. The Boston Rowing Federation was founded in 2013 on the premise that the presence and success of these athletes in Boston is beneficial both to the athletes and the thousands of recreational and more serious athletes in Boston who have seen these Olympians as role models. With great water available most of the time, many boathouses and high-level coaches, as well as a vibrant economy, Boston is a natural training home for an aspiring small boat athlete.
However, it is hard for any young adult to make a home in Boston for a period of years without a meaningful employment opportunity and some help with training, equipment and travel expenses. The Boston Rowing Federation is continuing to build a network of employment opportunities and housing options for these athletes and as well as raising funds to help cover training and travel expenses. Models for the Boston Rowing Federation can be seen in part in Schuylkill Navy, the Potomac Boat Club, and California Rowing Club which have helped athletes with training and travel costs.
Applicant athletes are expected to meet US senior team standards. They will be
selected by BRF upon consultation with experts who may include national team
coaches, the US Rowing High Performance Director, and senior university coaches. BRF is agnostic as to club affiliation, boat class or gender.