about OAKTON crew
A Program That Wins — and Develops
Oakton Crew's 2025–2026 junior teams had one of the best seasons in program history. Two boats qualified for SRAA Nationals, competing against the top scholastic rowing programs in the country. Our boats have finished on the podium at the Virginia State Rowing Championship, and our athletes have gone on to row at universities across the United States.
But Oakton Crew isn't just for athletes who arrive already great. It's for athletes who want to become great. Our coaching staff develops rowers from the ground up — and the results speak for themselves.
Coaching That Takes You Seriously
Our coaches bring competitive rowing experience and a genuine commitment to athlete development at every level. Whether you're a novice learning the catch for the first time or a varsity athlete chasing a national title, you'll be coached with the same intensity and attention. No one is an afterthought on this team.
A Team That Earns What It Gets
Crew is not a sport where one person can carry the boat. An eight moves as one unit or it doesn't move well at all. That shared accountability — knowing that every person at every seat is pulling their weight — creates a bond between teammates that athletes describe, years later, as unlike anything else they've experienced in sports. Oakton alumni who rowed in college often say their most meaningful athletic memories came from high school crew.
A Path to Collegiate Rowing
College coaches across Division I, II, III, and club programs actively recruit rowers who began the sport in high school with no prior experience. The combination of a competitive VASRA program, national regatta experience, and strong academic standing at Oakton makes our athletes genuinely attractive recruits. We have alumni rowing at universities across the country — and we can help connect you with that process when the time comes.
A Community Behind Every Athlete
The Oakton Cougar Crew Booster Club (OCCBC) is one of the most active and well-organized parent booster organizations in the VASRA region. From the hospitality tent at every regatta to the annual banquet, the OCCBC ensures that Oakton Crew runs like a well-funded, well-supported program — because it is.
ABOUT OAKTON CREW
What We Do
“Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.” - The Wind in the Willows
Fall Rowing
In the fall, both new and returning rowers are on the water during Oakton's Green Days (offseason training days). This is a great opportunity for new rowers to learn the mechanics of the rowing stroke and what it takes to move boats together.
Winter Conditioning
We are off the water in the winter. This is when our rowers get strong and fast through a combination of weight training, stretching, and plenty of quality time on our rowing machines. We participate in some heated "erg wars" with other schools and compete in the Erg Sprints, the largest indoor rowing competition in the United States.
Spring Racing
Spring is where the rubber hits the road, or more accurately, the oars slice through the water. Our team practices out of our Sandy Run boathouse on the Occoquan Reservoir, and competes in weekend regattas against other high school crews. The racing season is when we demonstrate how all the hard work during the fall and winter translates into boat speed.
Summer Rowing
Hone your skills or learn something new. Oakton Crew offers summer sculling and "learn to row" camps. Our rowers also have the option to compete for local clubs in summer regattas held in Philadelphia and St. Catharines, Ontario.
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Our rowers are a close-knit group. Make life-long friends and join a community of high achievers who excel on and off the water.
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Our rowers not only learn how to make boats go fast, but also learn discipline, accountability, time-management, and self-confidence.
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Our rowers are recruited to row at top Division 1 schools, including schools in the Ivy League, ACC, MAAC and others.
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Most of our athletes had no prior rowing experience before joining Oakton Crew.
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Our boats consistently win or place at the Virginia State Championships and compete at the National Regatta.
Did You Know...
Five Facts About Oakton Crew