High Performance Summer Development
Penn AC High Performance Group strives to train and develop elite level men and women by providing them with opportunities to compete at the highest level in the sport of rowing. Penn AC has a long history of producing national team rowers and scullers that have competed at the World Rowing Championships and Olympic Games. Penn AC will continue to maintain this tradition of success.
Penn AC is a member of the Schuylkill Navy which is located on historical Boathouse Row in Philadelphia, PA. The High Performance Team trains along the Schuylkill River, which has been the breeding ground for much of America’s past Olympic Rowing success. Penn AC athletes train year–round and travel to compete at US Rowing Regattas, Senior National Team Trials, and National Selection Regattas and Camps. Philadelphia provides these athletes with excellent opportunities to pursue full or part–time careers or attend graduate school programs at many of the local colleges or universities.
Success of the Penn AC High Performance Group stems from the endless dedication to practicing, training, and racing each day with teammates who are all working towards one goal: competing for the US National Team. Penn AC will provide you with a team atmosphere and level of competition that you will not find anywhere else. We are one team, one club.
As a condition for consideration for the HPG team, all athletes must compelete the HPG Code of Conduct Contract/Agreement.
Coaches
Head Coach: Bill Manning
Bill Manning has a long history of success coaching in the collegiate ranks. Most recently, he was the interim head coach of LaSalle University. Prior to that, Manning spent 23 years combined at Princeton University and Harvard University, including two years with Princeton Women’s Rowing (2019-2021), six years with Princeton Men’s Lightweight Rowing (2013-2019), and 15 years with Harvard Men’s Rowing (1998-2013).
Manning spent many summers coaching for the U.S. National Team, including as assistant coach to the men’s pair in the 2004 Olympic Games and the 2003 World Championships. He coached the lightweight men’s 8+ and lightweight men’s 2- at the 2014 and 2015 World Championships, respectively. He coached two crews making the podium at the 2015 Pan American Games. In 2018 he served as Head Coach for Team USA at the Youth Olympic Games.
Manning coached numerous U23 and U19 crews over the years, and most recently guided boats to bronze medals in the U19 women’s 4- in 2016 and 2018.
Bill can be contacted via email at wjhmanning@gmail.com
Height Standards
Men: 6'2" and tallerWomen: 5'10" and taller