Welcome to Bowdoin Rowing!
Bowdoin Rowing is a competitive club sweep program made up of experienced rowers, lifelong athletes, and plenty of people who had never touched an oar before arriving at Bowdoin. Some come in with years of sweep or sculling experience; others learn here and quickly become racers.
Our men’s and women’s crews compete throughout New England and at the national level, with medals at NERC, Dad Vail, Head of the Charles, and ACRA Nationals, plus appearances at Henley Royal Regatta and Henley Women’s Regatta.
Under Head Coach Doug Welling, our coaching staff uses a collaborative model—working across squads, sharing ideas, and helping athletes develop as both rowers and teammates.
We train on the New Meadows River from the Steinwachs Family Boathouse and race in both the fall and spring. Expect hard work, close racing, plenty of laughs, and a team that genuinely enjoys being together.
For many athletes, rowing becomes one of the defining parts of their four years at Bowdoin—the place where they find some of their closest friends, learn what they’re capable of, and make the stories they’re still telling long after graduation.
Our Core Values
Safety
We look out for one another. On the water, in the boathouse, and everywhere we represent Bowdoin Rowing, safety comes first. Every athlete shares responsibility for making thoughtful decisions, respecting the equipment, and taking care of the people around them.
Generosity
Great crews are built by people who are willing to give something of themselves—to their boatmates, their team, and the work in front of them. Generosity means showing up with effort, attention, encouragement, and a willingness to contribute beyond yourself.
Reliability
Your crew depends on you. Being reliable means showing up, being prepared, doing what you say you will do, and bringing consistent effort. Trust is built over time, and in rowing, trust is what allows a group of individuals to become a crew.
Humor
We take rowing seriously without taking ourselves too seriously. Our motto, Remigio Delectate et Remigate Velociter—“have fun and go fast”—captures an important part of who we are. We work hard, laugh often, and genuinely enjoy being together.
Speed
We race to win. We pursue speed through discipline, technical excellence, fitness, trust, and a willingness to keep getting better. Success is measured not only by where we finish, but by how fully we commit to making the boat—and one another—as fast as we can be.
