DTARC is one of the leading clubs in the region in terms of junior participation and development. The club has built up a thriving junior section over the last few years, and prides itself on providing a safe and child friendly environment in which juniors can learn.

Child Friendly & Safe
The club is an accredited centre of British Rowing ( BR) National Junior Rowing programme and has achieved Sport England’s ‘Clubmark’ status, which is a certification awarded to clubs which meet Sport England and British Rowing national requirements for areas such as safety, welfare, child protection, sports equity, coaching, and club management. The club has child protection, safety and welfare guidelines in place, overseen by the club’s safety and welfare officers. All club members working with young people are put through a Digital Barring System check, and all coaches hold nationally recognised qualifications.

Facilities
The club has changing rooms and a state of the art indoor training room, providing the club’s juniors with some of the best facilities in the region. The club has a fantastic 7km stretch of well sheltered river, which provides a safe environment for beginners to learn the basics, as well as more than meeting the needs of experienced junior crews. Club juniors have priority access to a fleet of lightweight boats specifically designed for junior use.

Coaching
The club has a number of qualified and experienced coaches working specifically with juniors. Every junior squad has at least one dedicated coach. Older juniors themselves are encouraged to help with the coaching of younger juniors via nationally recognised qualifications such as the Junior Sports Leaders Award and the Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

Successes
For those juniors who want to progress to racing; the club has a very successful competitive programme. DTARC juniors have had success both locally, picking up West of England Championships regularly in recent years, and nationally, with representation at the National Championships, and GB junior trials. Club Junior Bill Lucas raced for Great Britain at the World Junior Championships in 2005 and went on to represent Team GB in double sculls at the 2012 Olympics, coming fifth.

Squads
There are a number of junior squads rowing in various sessions throughout the week, covering juniors ranging from 11 to 18. All new juniors will first join the Beginners Squad where they will be taught basic boat handling skills and safety. Once they reach the required level they will be moved on to the appropriate squad for their particular age group.

Parents, Guardians & Supporters
In order to support our juniors we value parents’ and guardians’ support throughout the year. We need help with anything from loading boats onto trailers, helping at race events, organising sponsorship, to making cakes and serving tea and coffee at regattas. Please note that parents are very welcome in the club house. Feel free to come upstairs while you wait for your children and talk to us about how you might get more involved with club activities.

Notes for Beginners

What clothes should I wear?
Tight fitting clothes or lycra should be worn when rowing on the water or on the rowing machines. Loose clothing can be a hazard as it can get caught up in the blade handles and on the seat slide, which could lead to a capsize.

IMPORTANT: Consider the weather conditions and bring the correct clothing. Be sure to bring additional dry layers in wet conditions.

What should I wear on my feet?
On your feet you will need welly boots or footwear that can get wet as you may need to wade into the water in order to get into the boat. Wellies should be easily removable and should not be worn whilst rowing in the boat. The club has many pairs of spare wellies, but it is a good idea to bring your own. For land training trainers are recommended.

Anything else?
Water bottle: It is important to re-hydrate when exercising, whether on the water or on the rowing machines, so make sure you bring a bottle of water with you.
Towel: The club has excellent changing and showering facilities so you can wash away the sweat after a hard row, or dry off wet feet.
Spare clothes: In case of a capsize it is important to have a change of clothes, as it can be hazardous to stay in wet cold clothing.