About the Program

"There is no doubt in my mind that Craftsbury was the difference between winning and losing. This place is definitely magical to us." - Peter Graves, 2009-10 SBTC participant, bow, US Senior men's 2x 2009/2011, winner Champ 2x HOCR 2008-2011.

The Craftsbury Small Boat Training Center is a program designed to be a bridge from collegiate rowing to the US National Team, with a focus on smaller boats.

The program has three focuses over the course of the year: an early summer U23 candidate track, a late summer/early fall Development track, and other training opportunities year round.

• U23 candidates join us from the end of the school year through Royal Canadian Henley the first week of August. This portion of the summer is geared primarily around the US U23 World Championship Trials, and supporting athletes who make the U23 National team for Worlds. That being said, we may have spots for non-U23 athletes early in the summer to prepare for senior trials. Team boats (2x/2-) should apply as a unit. Our intention is to work mainly with existing boats rather than matching crews from scratch.
• Development characterizes the second half of the summer, from August 11 to the close of head racing season. Athletes attending this session will be primarily 2013 SBTC U23 candidates and senior athletes preparing for late summer/early fall competition and need a place to train.
• The SBTC will provide Other Training Opportunities throughout the year, but it especially focuses on that over the winter - from mid-December on, with groups of rowers staying for 2-4 weeks at a time. The past winters, we had several small groups of athletes cross-training through periods of the winter, as well as a Florida camp during January for previous SBTC attendees as well as prospective athletes.

The program offers coaching, boats and some support for races such as: U23 World Trials, Senior Nationals, Senior Team World Trials, World Championships (U23 and Senior) and Canadian Henley. Participants may be able to offset the costs of room/board with part-time work at the Center. Participants will be expected to participate in one or more projects that contribute to Craftsbury's mission. Athletes will be accepted through an application process.

Our programming is still evolving, so if after reading the FAQs something remains unclear, don't hesitate to contact us.

SBTC FAQ

Expand All FAQ | Collapse All FAQ

Who will be the coach?

Dan Roock, most recently of Dartmouth, is the SBTC head coach, assisted by Lisa Schlenker and Troy Howell. You can find out more about Dan here.

What types of rowing experiences must I have?

Athletes must have been part of a competitive school or club program and have the capacity to train multiple times a day consistently. A familiarity with and understanding of small boat rowing (1x, 2x, 2-) is important, but not a limiting factor.

What are the goals of the program?

To develop proficiencies in small boat rowing; improve rowing fitness, strength and power; and where appropriate, provide racing preparation and experience. One competitive manifestation of these goals is to prepare scullers or crews for U-23 and Senior World Trials.

What does the day to day schedule look like?

During summer programming, there will be 11-13 water workouts per week with supplemental land work for flexibility, strength and power development. There will be systematic evaluations and appraisals of the athlete's progress. There will be periodic videotaping and review. When appropriate, racing opportunities will be provided. You can see this past year's sample summer schedule here. Winter scheduling involves much more erg time, skiing, weights and gym work.

Can U23 candidate participants also take part in late summer Development programming?

After Canadian Henley we will assess performance and determine who will be staying on at Craftsbury. If a SBTC U23 candidate qualifies for U23 Worlds or finishes in the top two spots in the U23 events (1x, 2x, 2-) at Canadian Henley, the athlete will be invited to stay on until they must return to school. Other athletes can return to their clubs or university programs.

What is the end of summer take away for athletes in the U23 candidate or Development tracks?

A review of the athletes' pre camp goals will take place plus a final evaluation of the athlete's fitness and rowing proficiencies in the three small boats. There will be a race review for those athletes who do compete. Leaving Craftsbury, the athlete will have a clear understanding of where they are and what needs to be accomplished to move to the next level.

What is the cost of the program, and how much of it can be offset by work for the Center?

The exact cost of the program, and the portion that can be offset by work, will depend on the athlete's availability to work (depending on the volume of training and schedule of races), rower's skillset and his or her length of the stay amongst other factors.

We would expect that an athlete whose schedule allows could offset a good chunk of the cost of the program with 12 hours of work per week. Time cards will be provided to account for your hours.

All room and board privileges are contingent on the upkeep and cleaning of your housing facility and completing all job assignments in a timely fashion.

If you would like more details, please contact smallboats@craftsbury.com and include info on your program interest, anticipated races, and estimated hours you would be willing to work.

What will the work opportunities be like?

Work may include any of the following:

• Various projects related to helping Craftsbury become more sustainable. These could include analysis of current heating/power systems, improved management of property, production of local food on property.
• Projects that support the Craftsbury sculling program in general: helping coach local juniors and masters, helping campers get on and off the water; maintaining the fleet, babysitting for children of rowing coaches and campers.
• Meeting needs of the Outdoor Center such as caretaking of facilities, improving trails to ensure early skiing, etc.
• Other Projects tbd. Participants will be encouraged to generate ideas for projects.

What kind of boats does the program have? Can I bring my own boat?

SBTC has a small fleet of pair/doubles, a quad, several singles and access to additional singles and other small boats when they are not in use for the Sculling Camp. You are also encouraged to bring the shell you have been training in prior to coming to Craftsbury.

Do I have to be in college? Is there a minimum age requirement?

The program is geared primarily toward U23 and Senior men and women, whether currently in college or not.

When are applications due?

Applications for the U23 program are due March 1 with decisions to be announced April 1st. Applicants who do not make the U23 candidacy may be accepted for the Development programming at this point as well. If you apply prior to December 1 you will be considered for the January Florida Training Trip. Early applicants will be able to update physiological data relevant to their application up to March 1.

Final decisions surrounding any remaining Development residences will occur during the month of June when we see how many (if any) U23 athletes are eligible and interested in continuing with us past Canadian Henley. (SBTC U23 athletes who meet qualifications may elect to continue as Development athletes in the f all - see FAQ "Can U23 candidate participants also take part in late summer Development programming?" above).

In regard to other training opportunities throughout the year a more rolling application process will be used. In general we will try to make decisions within 2 weeks, but this may not always be possible. Sometimes, this schedule will be expedited, as in cases where athletes are cut from camps and wish to immediately start training in a small boat for Trials.

How many athletes can the program serve?

During 2012 we'll serve 11-12 athletes.

Is there a minimum length of stay suggested for cross-training or the other residential training opportunities? Maximum?

This varies over the course of the year, but generally we feel that in order to progress and make your residence worthwhile, we suggest a minimum of two weeks of time at the Center. The maximum stay will largely be determined by weather, and how much you like Nordic skiing for cross-training. We have several athletes staying with us into the winter and continue to explore ways to make this work year round.

Whenever possible, we suggest stays which would overlap with a regatta so we can gauge your development.

How much regatta support will be provided? What expenses will I need to cover?

SBTC will provide coaching, boat transport, entry fees, competition uniforms and athlete transport to the extent that there is room in the van pulling the trailer. Athletes will be responsible for their own housing and meal costs while on the road.

Other than rowing gear, what should I bring to the SBTC?

The athlete must bring to SBTC:

• Heart Rate Monitor and belt - ideally a Suunto brand unit.
• Stroke or Speed Coach with harness, plastic holder and pick up magnet - impeller is optional
• Small tool bag containing an adjustable wrench, 7/16 wrench, regular and Phillips head screw and 5 meter metric tape.
• Running shoes, hat for rowing, workout gear
• Log book for recording workouts and personal performance data.
• A set of slings if you bring your own shell.
• Mountain bike if you do not have a vehicle

Applicants are encouraged to note the questions regarding gear sizes and the like on their application as well.

What is the water like? What is Craftsbury like? Is there any social life?

Rowing will take place on Big Hosmer Pond, which is a narrow, sheltered lake around 3000 meters long. Mornings are generally flat water; afternoons can offer more breezy conditions. The Craftsbury Outdoor Center is a very busy place in the summer, with Sculling camps running all summer long, with the exception of a few weekends. There are also a number of competitive Nordic skiers training at the Center, including the Green Racing Project, which is a parallel program to SBTC.

Still have questions? Drop us a line via smallboats@craftsbury.com.