From Classroom to Boathouse: ERG ED® Brings Rowing to Life
Imagine this: every student who learns to row in their school gym has the chance to take the next step—actually getting on the water.
That’s the vision behind ERG ED®, one of the George Pocock Rowing Foundation’s core programs. ERG ED® brings the life-changing benefits of rowing directly into schools, making the sport accessible to all young people—not just those who can join a boathouse. Using rowing machines (ergometers), students learn the fundamentals of rowing in their P.E. classes while building essential life skills like teamwork, perseverance, and goal-setting.
The program’s primary goal is to inspire confidence and connection in the classroom. But sometimes, it opens the door to something even bigger.
A Real-Life Adventure
For the second year in a row, students from Hamilton Middle School and TOPS K-8—just a few miles from the Pocock Rowing Center—turned their P.E. lessons into a real on-water adventure.
With free programming, streamlined sign-ups, and simple communication through school newsletters, the GPRF made it easy for families to participate. The result: kids stepping into boats for the first time, discovering new strengths, and even sparking passions that could last a lifetime.
Hamilton Middle School (June 9–13, 2025):
The week began with quiet nerves, but by Friday, those same students were radiating confidence as they raced together for the very first time.
TOPS K-8 (June 16–20, 2025):
This crew brought boundless energy and laughter, filling the boathouse with joy and camaraderie.
A Tailored Learn-to-Row Experience
Because these students had already been introduced to rowing through ERG ED®, they arrived with confidence and basic skills, allowing Pocock Youth Rowing coaches to deliver a condensed five-day Learn-to-Row program.
Students learned boathouse safety, traffic patterns, and on-water technique—culminating at the end of camp with a fun, 10-stroke race to feel the excitement of real team competition.
“The erg was so different from the water!” one student exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear.
By week’s end, every participant was rowing smoothly—and smiling just as big.
Different groups, different vibes—but both left with new skills, new friends, and a true sense of what it means to be part of a team.
From P.E. to PYR: Building a Pathway
What began as a pilot in 2024 continued to grow in 2025, inspiring students to take their next steps in the sport by joining the Pocock Youth Rowing team. From Hamilton, three students joined PYR in 2024 and are still actively rowing; one more joined in 2025. From TOPS K-8, two students joined in 2024 and remain on the team, and four additional students joined in 2025. These numbers reflect the program’s expanding impact, as more young athletes continue their journey as competitive rowers.
A Model for Other Communities
This success was built on collaboration:
Schools helped spread the word and encouraged families.
The GPRF provided coaching, structure, and communication.
Students were met where they were—first in the classroom, then at the boathouse.
“The partnership with Hamilton and TOPS shows what’s possible when schools and boathouses work together,” said a GPRF staff member. “By creating a clear pathway from the erg to the water, we’re opening doors to a sport that teaches teamwork, resilience, and confidence.”
Bring This to Your Community
ERG ED® isn’t just about rowing in a gym—it’s about building bridges to lifelong sport and belonging.
If you have an ERG ED® program in your area and want to connect it to on-water opportunities, we’d love to share what we’ve learned.
📩 Reach out to us and explore how this model could work in your community.
Together, we can ensure every young person has the chance to say, “I’m part of a team.”
