Youth Program Overview

The Youth Program is designed for full-time 8th grade & high-school students who have not yet attained the age of 19. The goal of the program is to provide a competitive, extracurricular, physical, team-building activity to students and to share the sport of rowing with younger citizens in the Des Moines area.

Rowers participate in an adult-coached program with regular practices and train to compete at sprints and regattas both in Des Moines and out of town. This program is overseen by a Youth committee which includes club members, as well as a representative rower and parent. Join the DMR Youth program to build team spirit and leadership, to improve strength and coordination and to pursue college athletic scholarship opportunities.

Head Coach

Allison Cook was a rowing scholarship athlete for 4 years at Philadelphia University and served as captain in her junior and senior years. She competed in the NCAA National Championships in 2010 and Dad Vails in 2012, winning bronze medals at both events. Prior to that, Allison rowed for four years at Saline High School in Saline, Michigan. She was captain in her junior and senior years and competed in the Canadian Henley Regatta. Allison has taught swimming lessons to children and was the President of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee at Philadelphia University where she graduated with a BS in Interior Design.  Allison works for Turner Construction as an engineer.