Updated Aug. 2026
Your Sport May Be One You Haven’t Tried Yet
No rowing experience necessary
What if I’ve never rowed before?
No problem — no previous rowing experience is necessary! We can teach you to row, we’re looking for what we can’t teach. Athleticism. Competitiveness. Work ethic. Toughness.
Many successful collegiate rowers first learn the sport when they arrive on campus. Our coaches will teach you everything you need to know, starting with the fundamentals and helping you build the skills, fitness, and confidence to compete.
With hard work and commitment, you could go from learning to row to competing at the ACC and NCAA Championships within your first year.
What type of athlete are you looking for?
We are looking for motivated, competitive students who are excited about the opportunity to become part of Clemson Women’s Rowing. No previous rowing experience is necessary for walk-on athletes.
Rowers
We are generally looking for women who are roughly 5'8" or taller, athletic, driven, team-oriented, and willing to work hard while learning a new sport. Many successful walk-on rowers have backgrounds in other sports and were highly involved in athletics during high school.
Height can be an advantage in rowing, but it is only one factor we consider. We are also looking for athletes who demonstrate strong athletic potential, competitiveness, coachability, resilience, and a commitment to being a great teammate.
Coxswains
We are generally looking for women who are roughly 5'3" or shorter, confident communicators, highly organized, competitive, detail-oriented, and comfortable taking on a leadership role. Coxswains are responsible for steering the boat, communicating with the crew, executing the practice or race plan, and helping their teammates perform at their best.
Because coxswains do not row, smaller athletes are generally better suited for the position.
What about balancing rowing with school?
Academics are a top priority, and Clemson student-athletes have access to a wide range of academic support resources through the Nieri Family Student-Athlete Enrichment Center. These resources include priority registration, tutoring, academic advising, enrichment programs, career development support, and more to help student-athletes succeed both in the classroom and beyond.
What if I’m out of shape?
That’s okay! Being in good physical condition can make the transition easier, but you do not need to arrive in peak rowing shape.
We are looking for athletes who are willing to work hard, have a great attitude, are coachable, and demonstrate athletic potential. Our staff will help you develop the fitness and skills needed to succeed.
When are tryouts?
Tryouts typically take place over a two-week period beginning in early September. Attend our walk-on information meeting (Fri, Aug 21st) to learn more about the tryout schedule, requirements, and everything you need to do to get started!
What does it cost?
There are no team dues or participation fees to be a Division I student-athlete at Clemson. Once you become a member of the team, the costs associated with training, competition, travel, equipment, and team-issued gear are covered by Clemson Athletics.
The only expense you may be responsible for is a one-time NCAA Eligibility Center registration fee, which is required after you successfully complete the tryout process and are invited to join the team.
If you are interested,
- Fill out our questionnaire - link here
- Plan to attend our information Meeting on Friday, August 21st at 3pm at the Clemson Women’s Boathouse, located at 529 E Beach Dr, Clemson, SC 29634