In the spring, the emphasis is on racing. For each team, we fill two varsity-level eights and one junior varsity eight that race against other schools each weekend. Our fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and sometimes eighth eights focus primarily on instruction and training and have just three to five interscholastic racing opportunities. New England arguably boasts some of the fastest high school crews in the country, and the Andover boys’ and girls’ eights are always extremely competitive with the other top teams in our league (the NEIRA). Our crews typically qualify for the finals at the New England Championship Regatta each year, and we have won our fair share of medals over the years.
Competitive rowing requires discipline, dedication, and considerable physical and mental energy, but the personal rewards, the close friendships that develop, and the team victories prove well worth the effort and the time commitment. Andover Crew is a strong, competitive high school rowing program, and the young women and men who row here take great pride in our endeavor and success, working hard day-in and day-out to maintain the integrity and tradition of the team. As a result, the coaches of prominent collegiate rowing programs often recruit our athletes with enthusiasm. The Andover crew experience tends to live on for years and decades in the memories of those who were a part of it. Greeting the many familiar faces of alumni, and even parents of alumni, who gather along the shores of the Merrimack on race day persists as a comforting and affirming ritual for the coaches and current athletes of our program.
Rowing is not a familiar sport to many new high school students. Relatively few new Andover students have ever rowed prior to joining our program. Many have never even seen rowing before. However, hundreds of young men and women graduate from Andover with a lifelong commitment to this challenging and rewarding sport. The Andover crew program provides rowing opportunities for all kinds of students, and we welcome anyone who feels that he or she might have an interest in the sport.