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Frequently Asked Questions
Rowing looks easy, how much
athletic ability will I need?
Prior athletic ability is desirable, but it
is not necessary. Average physical fitness and/or good health would be basis for
starting this sport. The majority of the youth that start this sport are between
the ages of 14 and 15. Just like learning the basic golf swing, the rowing
motion is easy to teach to a beginner. However to compete, an individual
must develop their entire body - upper, lower, and core. They need to
execute motions carefully and precisely while near exhaustion during a race.
Remember, the crew that makes it look easy is probably the one winning the race.
What is the training like?
It is not any harder or easier than a typical high school varsity
sport. For some people, it can be more difficult than expected
because their bodies have to adapt in the beginning. The
physical training on land incorporates weight lifting
(mostly free and some machine) with other types of
exercises. This training is specific to age, skill, prior
athletic experience, an prior injuries and medical conditions.
The physical training on water develops technique and endurance.
I already play a sport, can I join for one
season only?
Yes, you can do that. Playing more than one
sport can enhance your competitiveness as an athlete. Cross training
exposes your body to different motions and forces different muscle groups to
develop and grow stronger. Your overall ability improves.
What
schools are represented on your team?
Over the years, students in
our rowing program have come from nearly every high school and
private school in the CSRA as well as homeschooled students.
What are the practice schedules like?
Practices are four days per week
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 400 pm to 630 pm. This is a competitive sport, so attendance counts.
We conduct our program with the same rules and expectations of a varsity high school sport.
What do I wear to
practice?
Clothing that is too baggy will not work in the boats due to moving parts. Clothing should reflect the seasons and the daily weather. It is better to dress in layers that can be easily removed during practice.
Who do you compete against and where?
You will generally compete against other junior clubs as well as high school rowing programs. These teams are usually in the southeast region, but they may be from anywhere in the country. Regattas are generally open to any program
whether it is a club or a varsity high school program.
When does the team compete?
The team competes over two seasons. The
first season, during the Fall months, has races that start in September and end in November.
These races are against the clock over a distance of 5000 meters. The
second season, During the Spring months, has a racing calendar that starts in March and ends in May. These races are sprint races over a distance of 2000 meters against as many as six other teams at one time.
What happens
at a regatta?
Generally, the rowers will
arrive early in the morning well before their scheduled races. Equipment will
be rigged (assembled) and checked. You will warm up and stretch. Coxswains will weigh
in. Depending upon the regatta format, there may heats, semifinals and
finals. Regattas can last until late afternoon.
Why do you use the word "junior"
?
There are several levels of
rowing in the United States - junior, collegiate, master, elite, and Olympic. Junior, by definition, means anyone who does not turn 19 during the current calendar year. It may also refer to someone continually enrolled in a secondary school and has not received a diploma or completed the 12th grade.
In our country this basically means anyone up to age 18.
What
is a coxswain and what are they saying?
The coxswain sits in the
stern (back of the boat). In addition to steering the boat,
they conduct drills, follow practice routines, give technical
feedback, and learn how to race.
They are responsible for race
strategy and very often determine whether a boat wins, loses, or
advances to the semifinal or final.
Ideally, these individuals weigh
between 100 - 120 pounds. A low weight keeps the boat competitive,
and this is a great position for someone with a very small build to
get involved. However they should be tough and demonstrate a level
of maturity greater than their peer group.
Do rowers get scholarships to college?
Yes, rowers frequently can receive athletic scholarships.
Females have a slightly better chance of getting a rowing scholarship compared
to other sports. However a scholarship should not be your sole purpose for
rowing, and there are no guarantees that you will get one if you row. You
will have to work for it like any other athlete and any other sport. Many rowers
from our program have been able to attend
universities around the country on scholarship. Many more have used rowing
on their applications to access better schools.
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