Cardigan to Launch Rowing For 2024-25

New Program to Include Waterfront Boathouse

Cardigan Mountain School is excited to announce the addition of rowing to its expansive roster of competitive athletic offerings for middle school boys. Beginning this fall, Cardigan boys will train and race on the clear waters of Canaan Street Lake.

“Our surroundings on The Point provide a perfect venue for rowing, so we have been looking forward to this day for quite some time,” reflects Head of School Chris Day P’12,’13. “As a growing, competitive sport for middle schoolers, we believe rowing will both attract new students to Cardigan as well as prepare them to row in secondary school and college.”

With Cardigan Rowing set to take to the water in September 2024, the school will proceed with acquiring boats and other necessary equipment this spring. In addition, Cardigan will make several improvements to the waterfront area, including the enhancement of sightlines for viewing races and the construction of a new boathouse to be completed by Fall Family Weekend in October 2024.

“We look forward to watching rowing develop into a program that sets Cardigan apart from our peer junior boarding schools.”

Ryan Frost P’25, Director of Athletics

Cardigan will initially support one team with a focus on skill development, but the school hopes to expand the program quickly and compete with local teams as soon as is practical. The Cougars will train in one and two-man sculls and compete in four-man sculls, which are developmentally appropriate for this age group.

“This initiative will open new opportunities for our student-athletes to learn, grow, and compete as Cougars,” shares Director of Athletics Ryan Frost P’25. “We look forward to watching rowing develop into a program that sets Cardigan apart from our peer junior boarding schools.”

In a corresponding decision, Cardigan’s Sailing Team will transition from a varsity program to a club and weekend activity, allowing more students the opportunity to try something new. Cardigan Summer Session will also continue to offer sailing for girls and boys and will look to offer summer rowing programming in the future.

The Cardigan community is grateful for the generous support that made this idea a reality. We can’t do this without you!