New to Program - Registration

Program Resources: For many families, rowing is a new sport. It is also a highly structured and well-regulated sport with many components, which means there is a significant amount of information to learn along the way. Our philosophy is that while it may feel like you're drinking from a fire hydrant, it's better than being thirsty in a desert. That means, you won't be lacking for resources, so there's no rush. Let us know how we can help. 

Row Georgia’s infrastructure is intentionally and thoughtfully designed. We continue to strengthen our resources each season as we, and USRowing grow. Our goal is to ensure that every family has access to the information and support needed. We’re here for you! RGA provides you with a list of official RGA program contacts listed with each specialty area, you can find that list, click HERE, as well as a comprehensive Parent Resource Guide, click HERE for you to review at your own pace. We'll walk you through each step, and we've all been exactly where you are right now!

For registration, some requirements are “one and done” and carry forward each season, such as establishing a Boathouse Connect profile and the swim test. Others are annually, like maintaining an active USRowing membership. Finally, some items are required each season, such as e-signing forms.

Practice Schedule

Practices follow the published schedule unless canceled by coaches. Coaches monitor weather and have specific guidelines used to determine inclement conditions. 

RGA does not adhere to any specific school system’s schedule. RGA practices during school breaks, except: 

  • Monday, February 16

  • Friday–Monday, April 3–6, 2026

Wednesdays are 6:30 early release. 

Rec: Tue, Sat

Dev: Tue, Wed, Sat   (early release Wed)

Green (Novice): Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat   (early release Wed)

Gold (Varsity): Mon-Sat  (early release Wed)

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Attendance & Absences

All planned and unplanned absences must be officially reported using the form above. It’s a good practice for the athlete to talk to his/her coach ahead of absences. However, a conversation does NOT replace the required submission using the form. It is the responsibility of every athlete to manage his/her attendance and report accurately. 

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Swim Test:  Row Georgia will coordinate the swim test for all new athletes across programs. Details will be sent once testing dates are scheduled. Swim tests are typically conducted during normal afternoon youth practice hours. 

Mandatory Swim Test:
Applies to all rowers (youth and adult). Participants must be able to swim. Do not proceed with registration if you cannot swim.

What to Wear to the Swim Test: Shorts and a t-shirt and/or a swimsuit.

What does a swim test look like? All three components of the test must be passed. Touching the pool floor or the wall is not authorized during any part of the swim test.

  • Swim 100 yards without stopping or touching the walls or bottom; no breaks are allowed. Note: there is no specific stroke required.
  • Tread water for 5 minutes.
  • At the end of the 5 minutes of treading water, a life vest will be tossed to the participant. He/she must properly put on the life jacket and buckle it while treading, and then exit the pool.

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Registration Steps

You may have completed many of these already. Please carefully review to ensure each has been fully completed. 

Step 1 Payment We use Zeffy to avoid processing fees charged to you and RGA. During checkout, you'll be prompted by Zeffy asking for a donation to Zeffy. Watch carefully for it, as you’ll likely be prompted TWICE. 

Step 2 USRowing Membership in the rower’s name is required for insurance and USRowing sanctioned events.

  1. Go to USRowing, become a BASIC member, click HERE. 
  2. Under "Individuals", click on "Register"
  3. Enter the rower's information.
  4. In the "Club or Team Name" field, type and select Row Georgia.
  5. A "Roster is locked" pop-up will appear.
  6. Enter club code J43ZV and complete the membership. 
  7. Retain your new membership #, you’ll need it for your Boathouse Connect profile.

Step 3 Boathouse Connect (BC) Profiles  Boathouse Connect (BC) is a custom platform built specifically for rowing programs and is the primary way Row Georgia communicates important and time-sensitive information TO athletes and families. It is NOT a chat group, (sigh of relief). Each profile is then grouped appropriately and when communication with that group only is necessary, it prevents EVERYONE from receiving communication that doesn't apply to them, filling up inboxes with irrelevant communication. This ensures that  RGA email and text messages are applicable to the profile it's sent.  It also allows each profile owner to sign mandatory form(s) unique to him/her, as rowers sign individual forms, as do parent/guardians. You must create TWO profiles, one for the parent, and one for the youth rower.  

Boathouse Connect Profiles – Two Required

Do not create only one Boathouse Connect profile. You must create two separate profiles:

  1. One profile for the rower
  2. One profile for at least one parent/guardian

These must be separate profiles. The same profile cannot be used for both.

Rower Profile

The rower’s profile:

  • Receives all program communication
  • Reconciles with USRowing membership
  • Stores rower-specific information, statistics, and records
  • Contains forms that the rower must complete

Parent Profile

The parent/guardian profile is required because:

  • Parent/guardian legal forms and waivers are assigned to the parent profile
  • These forms cannot be signed from the rower’s profile

Important Requirements

  • Every youth rower must have their own profile
  • At least one parent/guardian must have their own separate profile
  • The same contact information cannot be used as the primary contact for more than one profile

If your rower does not have their own phone or email address, you may use another parent or guardian’s phone and or email for the rower profile.

Additional Contact Requirement

For youth rowers, at least one parent must be added as an “Additional Contact” inside the rower’s profile. This ensures the parent receives the same communication as the athlete. Because the rower profile receives all communication relevant to his/her crew, at least one parent must add themselves as an “Additional Contact” inside the rower’s profile so that the parent receives the same emails and texts. You can add as many Addiitonal Contacts as you want. Adding your information as an additional contact to your rower's profile does not replace the required separate parent profile.

Communication Platform

Boathouse Connect is not a chat group like WhatsApp or GroupMe. It is the official communication system used by Row Georgia and the coaching staff to send important and often time-sensitive information.

BC also reconciles with USRowing, ensuring that membership status remains current.

Instructions for creating both profiles and adding an additional contact are included below.

***Access Boathouse Connect using the website www.boathouseconnect.com. Do NOT the app.***

Click HERE to create your required Rower BC youth rower profile, in rower's name, (email and phone must be different than parent's BC profile). Make sure to enter all allergies and and any medical conditions in ALL designated fields that the coaches and the food committee should be aware of.

  • Additional Contact: Once the rower’s profile is created, add at least one parent as an additional contact to the Youth’s BC profile. (If your rower is receiving communication, but you are not, then you are not yet listed as an additional contact on his/her profile.) Below are instructions on how to add an additional contact to a BC profile. 
  1. From boathouseconnect.com 
  2. log into the Rower's profile. 
  3. on the left vertical menu, select My Profile, 
  4. select the next My Profile, 
  5. from the horizontal profile, select Contacts, 
  6. click on "Add additional contact" and enter email and phone of the contact (provide both email and phone, as which form is used, depends upon on subject matter, length, and urgency).

Click HERE to create the required Parent BC parent profile. At least one parent profile is required to sign parent/guardian only forms. (Note - it may ask you for height, weight, stats, etc....enter anything in these fields of the parent profile, it isn't relevant.) 

Step 4 Lake McIntosh Parking Pass, applies to out of Fayette county vehicles only  If your out of county tagged vehicle will be parked at the lake, an annual parking pass is required to avoid citations. Fayette County residents fund the facility through increased annual taxes. Skip this step if you have a Fayette County tag on your vehicle. How to Get Your Pass: Visit the Fayette County Parks & Recreation Department at 140 W. Stonewall Avenue, Suite 208, Fayetteville, GA 30214, or call 770-716-4320.

  • Special Rate for Row Georgia Athletes: Out-of-county vehicle owners who provide an RGA receipt proof of current season payment receive a parking pass for $50, instead of $300.
  • Pass Expiration: Parking passes are valid for the calendar year, expiring on December 31st.

Step 5 Preparticipation Medical Eligibility Form (Sports Physical) Click HERE for detailed instructions on how to complete and upload the medical eligibility form. Do not upload all pages.  See the example on the link above for step by step instructions. Make sure the document has been fully completed, including name and date on the uploaded page. 

Step 6 Safesport Training SafeSport training supports athlete safety by helping participants recognize, prevent, and respond to abuse, harassment, and other forms of misconduct in sport.  For details on which free training the athlete is required to take and how to submit it, click HERE.

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Protect Yourself & Your Team: Every team member matters. An injury during the season can eliminate a crew’s opportunity to compete, including qualification for Nationals. If one person is out, it can eliminate an entire boat from a race. Athletes are expected to avoid high-risk activities that could lead to injury, including skiing or snowboarding trips, rope swings, jumping from heights, and unsafe stunts or dares. Protect yourself, your teammates, and the goals of the team.

Practice Schedule Practices follow the published schedule unless canceled by coaches. Coaches monitor weather and have specific guidelines used to determine inclement conditions. Make sure your BC profile has all desired contact emails and mobile numbers, and additional contacts, so that you receive schedule change notifications. Practice is on, unless an official communication goes out.  

RGA does not adhere to any specific school system’s schedule. RGA practices during school breaks for Spring 2026, except: Friday–Monday, April 3–6, 2026

Financial 

Season Due Refunds (within 30 days): Less 25% admin fee, prorated. After 30 days: Only with doctor’s statement stating incapacitating injury/condition. Requests must be submitted in writing to: treasurer@rowgeorgia.com.

Late Payments:$50 fee every 7 days past due. Participation suspended until current. 

Regatta Fees per race are fixed fees and expenses charged to RGA for each race, including but not limited to; boat trailer truck rental, gas, coaches, race entry fees. It includes only actual cost. Estimate is $100 - $195 per athlete for each regular season regatta.  The cost is divided among participating athletes, therefore, the more there are, the less cost per athlete. Once an athlete is rostered for a race, regatta fees are required. There is no refund as fees depend on roster lineups as they are fixed cost shared among participants of that race.

Sibling Discount 10% off additional siblings’ programs. If you are registering one sibling today, proceed w/his or her individual registration. We’ll provide you with a unique code to complete the sibling’s transaction. The 10% discount applies to the lesser of the programs. Questions: treasurer@rowgeorgia.com