• Current University of Pennsylvania Assistant Lightweight coach
• 2008 assistant coach for the Country Day School of the Sacred Heart in Bryn Mawr, Pa.
• Certified USRowing Level I and II
• Also certified in: Personal training, strength and conditioning specialist, as well as a nutritional consultant

Penn AC Gold will accept 30 male athletes and coxswains between the ages of 16 and 18 years of age. Athletes must have at least 1 to 2 years of sweep and/or sculling experience and a minimum erg score of 6:50 for a 2k.

The summer program begins on Wednesday, June 10th, 2009 and concludes Monday, July 20th, 2009 following the US Rowing Club Nationals hosted by Oak Ridge Rowing Association in Oak Ridge, TN.

Penn AC Gold trains and launches from Penn AC Boat Club located on Boathouse Row by the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, PA. Housing, meals, and transportation to and from practices have been arranged for out-of-town athletes through the University of Pennsylvania.

Penn AC Gold will compete at the following 2009 summer regattas:

• June 13 - Schuylkill Navy Regatta (Philadelphia, PA)
• July 3-5 - Independence Day Regatta (Philadelphia, PA)
• July 15-19 - US Rowing Club Nationals (Oak Ridge, TN)

Travel expenses and hotel fees for Club Nationals are included in the program cost.

Penn AC Gold charges a flat rate which includes all aspects of the camp, including coaching, Penn AC Boat Club summer dues, racing entry fees, travel, lodging and meals for regattas. The following rates apply: Out-of-town athletes will be provided housing at the University of Pennsylvania and receive a meal plan consisting of three meals per day on weekdays and two meals per day on weekends. Chaperones will live in the University of Pennsylvania dormitories with athletes. All athletes will receive uni-suits, racing shirts and hats.

The following rates are available:

• Out-of-town Athletes (room and board included): $5000.00
• Local Athletes (no room and board): $3000.00

All athletes attending Penn AC Gold must be members of US Rowing in good standing. A US Rowing Membership Application must be completed and accepted prior to camp registration. click here to go USrowing website

By March 31st, 2009 athletes must submit the following for registration:

• Completed application CLICK HERE
• US Rowing Release of Liability Form CLICK HERE
• Non-refundable deposit of $1,000.00 made out to Penn AC Boat Club

Completed application materials, signed waivers and check should be mailed to:

Coach Patrick H. Rufo
Penn AC Gold Summer Rowing Program
26 Woodstock Circle
Collegeville, PA 19426

Applications meeting program criteria will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once the camp is full, a waiting list will be established.

Full payment deadline: May 1st, 2009

Payment should be mailed to Coach Rufo’s attention at the address listed above. If payment is not received by May 1st, 2009, the athlete’s slot in the program will be forfeited.

Penn AC Gold will consider applications from athletes that may be participating in Junior National Team Selection Camps and competing at Henley Royal Regatta. Penn AC Boat Club will consider applications for athletes that are released from Selection Camps and wish to compete at US Rowing Club Nationals.

There is a non-refundable $1,000.00 deposit due by March 31st, 2009. This deposit will only be refunded in the event an athlete cannot attend Penn AC Gold Summer Rowing Camp due to an invitation to the Junior National Team Selection Camp.

In the event an athlete registers for Penn AC Gold and is later unable to attend, a letter of cancellation must be received by Coach Rufo via mail (address previously listed) or email (patrick.h.rufo@gmail.com).

Telephone messages and faxes will not be accepted. Cancellation requests must include the following information:

• Athlete’s Name
• Amount of Money Paid
• Camp Rate (Out-of-Town or Local)
• Person to whom the refund check should be issued
• Address refund check should be mailed.
• Reason for Refund

The balance remaining after the non-refundable deposit will be awarded at the following rates:

• 100% of balance by May 11, 2009
• 75% of balance by May 18, 2009
• 50% of balance by May 25, 2009
• 25% of balance by June 1, 2009
• No refunds will be awarded to campers who are “no shows” (do not attend camp and do not notify the camp office of their cancellation prior to the first day of camp).

This refund policy will be strictly enforced regardless of the reason for cancellation or early departure. The date of a cancellation request shall be determined by the postmark of the letter or the date the email was sent.

Penn AC Boat Club and the University of Pennsylvania have a strict policy regarding code of conduct. Students housed in dormitories must adhere to all rules and regulations set forth by the University of Pennsylvania (CLICK HERE). Any violation of such policies will result in immediate dismissal from Penn AC Gold Summer Program and University of Pennsylvania Housing with no refund issued. In the event that an athlete violates any rules or regulations, the athlete’s parent/guardian shall be contacted to pick up their child.

CLICK HERE for suggested packing list for rowers living in the dorms.

Contact Information and Questions

For questions regarding the Penn AC Gold Summer Rowing Program, please contact:

Patrick H. Rufo
Head Coach
Penn AC Gold Summer Rowing Program
Email: patrick.h.rufo@gmail.com