Elmwood Crew Rowing Team
Elmwood School’s rowing program is an exciting and inclusive opportunity designed to foster physical fitness, teamwork, and personal growth. With options tailored to accommodate everyone—from complete beginners to competitive athletes—our program ensures that each participant can find a stream that suits their goals and interests. Whether you're looking to challenge yourself athletically, enjoy a new experience, or build lifelong camaraderie, Elmwood Rowing welcomes you.
Through this vibrant program, Elmwood aims to cultivate athletes who are not only strong and skilled but also part of a supportive community that shares a love for rowing. With low barriers to entry, accessible coaching, and a range of participation options, Elmwood Rowing invites you to embark on a journey that is fun, challenging, and rewarding.
Training takes place near the ONEC boathouse, a short 15-minute walk from campus, with athletes responsible for their own transportation. Beyond the water, the program features winter training camps, indoor rowing events, and even a renowned Florida training camp, ensuring year-round engagement.
Elmwood Rowing is also an avenue to long-term opportunities. Scholarships like the Sarah Black Rowing Scholarship, named after an Elmwood alumna and world silver medalist, provide financial support to students excelling in the program. This scholarship covers rowing-related expenses, empowering athletes to pursue their goals.
The Program Offers Four Distinct Streams:
Team Spotlight
Coach O'Farrell
Derek O’Farrell made his Olympic debut at London 2012, finishing third in the B final of the men’s four, placing ninth overall. A six-time World Championship competitor, he has earned four medals, including a senior silver and two bronzes in the coxed pair. At the 2005 U23 World Championships, he won silver in the men’s eight.
O’Farrell began rowing in 2002 and joined McGill University’s varsity heavyweight eight in 2003, graduating in 2007 with a Physiology degree.
He has been part of the Elmwood Crew Program since 2016.
Abby Butler '19
Abby graduated from Elmwood in 2019 and started rowing at Elmwood in grade nine. She also began the Row to Podium program simultaneously, which she continued until February of her grade 10 year.
Abby had always had athletic ability but hadn’t found a sport she was passionate about until she found rowing. She loved being on the water and was inspired by how dedicated and determined her Elmwood teammates were.
When asked about her rowing journey, she said the following.
Rowing in high school taught me a lot about persistence and hard work, and how to trust the time and effort that I’ve put into something, whether it’s training, rehab, school, etc.
For rowing after Elmwood — my goal was always to get an athletic scholarship to study in the US. Fordham offered me a full athletic scholarship in February of my grade 12 year, and I committed shortly after.
