★ Please read

Information for parents

Thank you for being part of your child's rowing. Parents are a huge part of what makes the club work, and a little understanding of how regattas run makes a big difference to every crew.

Please take a few minutes to read this page, especially the section on regatta entries.

Commitment: rowing is a team sport

Crews are picked and entered as a team. When your child is selected for a regatta, three or four other children are counting on them to be there.

If a child is withdrawn at the last minute, the whole crew can lose its race. In a coastal yawl that usually means three other children cannot take part, often after weeks of training.

Coaches pick firm crews in advance, so please confirm early, and only if your child can definitely attend. Crews can't simply be swapped at the last minute. Entries close 10 days before each event.

Entries close: 10 days before each event
Entries made by: The club secretary
A crew needs: Every rower to turn up
Questions?: Ask your child's coach

Most important

Regatta entries and the Rowing Ireland tracker

For Rowing Ireland events, the club must enter each crew on Rowing Ireland's online system, known as the tracker. Every boat and every rower's name has to be entered, and entries must be submitted 10 days before the event: by 7pm on the Thursday of the week before.

The club secretary enters crews on behalf of the club, using the names coaches give them. To leave time for this, coaches pick crews two weeks before each event, so they need to know who is available well before then.

Why a late withdrawal matters so much

A late withdrawal leaves coaches and volunteers scrambling to rebuild crews at the last minute, which is stressful for everyone and often not possible, so the other children in the boat lose their race.

Showing up for your crew is one of the most important things rowing teaches.

What we ask of parents

Check the event dates early and confirm your child's availability well before the entry deadline, 10 days before each event.
Only confirm if your child can definitely attend for the whole day.
If something genuinely unavoidable comes up, tell the coach as early as possible, not on the morning of the race.
To withdraw your child from a regatta, contact your child's coach.
Help your child understand that their crewmates are counting on them.

Regatta days

Regattas run through the summer at venues along the coast. Racing schedules can change with weather and tides.
Check the club calendar for dates.
Arrive at least one hour before your race, or earlier if the coach asks.
Bring: club racing kit, suitable footwear, layers, food, water, sun protection and a change of clothes.
Before you leave: check the venue, crew list, race time, club messages and the weather forecast.
On arrival: report to the coach, help prepare the boats and listen out for race changes.
After racing: help bring boats ashore, clean and load them, and support the next crew.
New to how the championships work? See how the championships work.

Rosscarbery crew at Baltimore Regatta 2026

Safety and wellbeing

All juniors train and race under supervision, in line with club and Rowing Ireland safety rules. Rowers follow the coach, cox, safety team and regatta officials, and never launch without permission.
The club has a Child Safeguarding Statement and a Designated Liaison Person. See our safeguarding page.
Photos from training and regattas may be shared on the club website and social media in line with the consent given at membership.

Helping out

The club runs on volunteers, and parents are at the heart of it, from driving and baking to helping at regattas and fundraisers. If you can give a little time, please let us know.