Elite Rowing Spain

SUMMER 2026 Applications open soon

Contact Program Manager, Sean Chipres at seanrc@saiie.com

 

Elite Rowing Program

Students participating in this rowing program will row during the early mornings or evenings depending on class schedule. Classes are from Monday - Friday. The group of students will be coached by coaches with National Coaching certifications. 

Program includes:

  • 4 weeks of rowing training sessions
  • 5-6 water sessions per week mixed with gym work - Coach will plan this
  • Gym membership throughout the duration of the program at the rowing club.
  • Access to rowing machines (ergometer) and weight room.

Program requirements:

  • Students must be rowing on their varsity team back at their college.  
  • In the 2k Concept Rowing Ergometer test female student-athletes cannot exceed 7:20 and male student-athletes 6:20.

Please note: If you exceed these times, please contact the Program Manager, Sean Chipres, at seanrc@saiie.com 
 

Daily typical practice

  • Starts with dinamic stretching and warm up.
  • Coach will explain practice and athletes will go out to the water.
  • Start up with some warm up exercises on the water.
  • Continue with steady state, drills, and fartlek intervals

academic PROGRAM

Students on this program will have the option to participate in summer session I while taking a minimum of 3-4 credits each session. We offer courses in Art, Business, Exercise and Sports Sciences, and Spanish language during our summer terms. 

Please note: students in some cases can take up to 9 credits total. Please contact program resident director, Stuart Chipres, at director@saiie.com for more infomation.

To learn more about the academic program that we offer at SAIIE through the summer please visit our website here.

SAIIE has an agreement with the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse (UWL) who acts as our school of record. 

PROGRAM COSTS, DATES AND DEADLINES - 2026

Summer Term

Rowing program fees:

550€ (This is an additional cost to the overall program cost. Tuition and fees still apply)

Dates:
Session I: Mid May -  Mid June, 2026 

Application Deadline: April 1

 



fAQ's

If you do not see your question listed here please contact us.

FAQ’s

What do I bring/wear to practice? 
Wear athletic clothes, spandex, running shoes, hat, sunglasses. Bring a full refillable water bottle, and don't forget your sunscreen! 

How intense is the training?
The training is challenging, there are usually two sessions a day, one session on the water and one in the gym. The weights program is challenging and the water sessions include a mixture of tough sessions with hard pieces and more mileage focused sessions. The program will definitely push you and improve your fitness but there is also time for recovery.

How is the team at Club Náutico?
The team is very friendly and welcoming. There are a lot of very good athletes in the team who are technically experienced and are very fit.The team is quite big so there is some depth in the squad which makes it easier to fit into.

What boats do you usually row in at Club Náutico?
The team rows in a variety of boats, there are opportunities to sweep in 8s, 4s or pairs, or scull in a single, doubles or a quad, this usually depends on how many athletes there are at the session. However the coach is very accommodating so if you prefer to sweep or scull there is usually the option to do one or the other. It is a good opportunity to gain experience in boats you don’t usually row in at home.

What water sessions do you usually do?
Usually we warm up by doing some mobility exercises on land and then we warm up from arms only on the water and progressively add bodies, legs etc. The sessions typically range in mileage and intensity, there is a training program for each week. Some sessions will be longer paddles with a more technical focus, whereas other sessions will be more intense with short or long pieces.

What is the coaching like?
David is a highly experienced coach who has coached at an Olympic level. He coaches in Spanish but it is quite easy to understand what he is telling you and he can also demonstrate what you are doing, some of the other rowers also speak English so they can help. 

How often do you do weights?
Usually there are weights sessions 4 times a week in the program, however this can change depending on the time of the season, for example there could be less weights sessions if there is a regatta coming up. The weights program is challenging and really improves your strength. Usually the exercises are organised in a circuit and the team tries to do this at the same time which means there is a good atmosphere in the gym with Spanish music etc. 

What other training do you do?
There is also a mixture of ergometer training and some recovery x-train sessions, for example there is sometimes an hour long x-train (usually the rowers do this on the bike). There are sometimes days where there will be a hard erg on the program which the rowers usually try to do together.

What is the weather like during May/June?
This time of year is very hot in Seville, in the day the weather averages 90's ºF and sometimes reaches 100's ºF. Bring cool clothing.

What is the weather like during the fall? And the spring?
Temperatures are generally into the mid 80's and than around November they will drop to mid 50's to mid 60's. Finally in December it can drop up to mid 40's but its generally around de mid 50's.
In January the low will be around mid 40's amd the high mid 60's. March and April the lows will be around the low 50's and the highs will be the low 70's but it can get to 80's

How far are the training facilities from SAIIE?
The club is quite close to SAIIE, it is about 20 mins on the bus and public transport is very cheap in Seville, or it is around 30 mins walking. There is also the option to join the gym in the SAIIE building for a reduced price, which could be a convenient option to fit in gym sessions during the school day.

How much money will I spend on transportation to training?
In the case you are not in walking distance and you have to cath a bus to trainings you will not spend more than $25 for the entire month. Around the city they are also bikes and motor electric scooters that can be use for a small fee (great to move around the city for students). The city of Seville has a great bike lane. 

 

 

student testimonials

 "My experience with SAIIE was fantastic. I came to Spain without knowing any Spanish and I am now leaving as a very proficient Spanish speaker. I loved my host family and all the food. The rowing team was so much fun and I became good friends with many of my teammates. The coach, David, was very knowledgeable and accommodating. Overall, I couldn’t have asked for a better experience!"
Finn Balbach
Nichols School Graduate Student
SAIIE fall 2024 - Gap Participant
Georgetown University student fall 2025.

"I would definitely recommend this program to anyone who wants to keep training but also wants to get an abroad experience. David is very open and will allow you time to travel but if you come to train he will throw in you in a boat, it’s a lot of fun, you meet a lot of new people, get to practice the language. Overall it was a great experience!".
Austin Letorney
Hobart and William Smith Colleges
   

"I am so grateful for the opportunity provided by the SAIIE Summer Rowing Program. As Club Nautico Sevilla's first ever American rower through SAIIE I was warmly welcomed and integrated into both their practice and competitive race schedule on the beautiful Guadalquivir River/Canal de Alfonso XIII. The ability to complete my international requirements to graduate with International Honors from the University of Alabama while remaining consistent with my on water and weight training regimen through the SAIIE Rowing Program was both academically rewarding and athletically advantageous."
Logan O’neil
University of Alabama