NCAA Eligibility
What does the NCAA Rules say:
1. Amateurism
To be eligible for NCAA athletics, you must remain an amateur:
- You CAN row with a club or development team like Club Náutico Sevilla (as many gap year rowers do)
- You CANNOT be paid to row, accept prize money beyond actual/necessary expenses, or sign a professional contract
As long as you’re rowing with a non-professional club and not being paid, your eligibility is safe.
2. Gap Year Timing Rules by NCAA Division
|
Division |
What Happens If You Row in a Gap Year Abroad |
|
Division I (DI) |
If you don’t enroll in college within 12 months of high school graduation and you row in organized competitions during that time, you may lose one season of NCAA eligibility. But you can still row in college — just with fewer seasons. |
|
Division II (DII) |
More flexible — you can take more than a year and compete in organized rowing, as long as you stay amateur. You keep all 4 seasons of eligibility. |
|
Division III (DIII) |
No time limit. You can row in club competitions after high school and still keep all eligibility, as long as you remain an amateur. |
If you're going DI, the key is: enroll in college within 12 months of high school graduation to keep all 4 seasons of eligibility.
3. Organized Competition
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Club rowing abroad is considered organized competition
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NCAA won't penalize you for training, but competing (even at the club level) is what matters for eligibility
Bottom Line:
If you are a high school graduate taking a gap year to row abroad:
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You can row with a club like Club Náutico Sevilla
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Just don’t accept money, housing, or benefits beyond basic travel/living expenses
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If you're going Division I, try to enroll within 1 year of graduation to preserve all 4 years of eligibility
- If you want to compete contact the NCAA Eligibility Center or your future college’s compliance office to see if its possible.