TicketsNov. 2, 2006
|
|
What is your rowing season?
Our rowing team trains year round, starting in September and concluding at the Central/South Regional Championships in the middle of May where we qualify for the NCAA Championships. The season is broken up into three separate sections, each section having a different training focus, but all of them preparing the athlete for rowing and competing at the Division I level.
During the fall the team focuses mainly on rowing technique, building strength and cardiovascular endurance. The races in the fall are longer, the standard race distance covering three miles. During this time, true novice rowers, who have no previous rowing experience will learn the basic technique of rowing and begin to build the muscle and endurance needed to be competitive in racing. Experienced high school rowers will begin the fall season with the varsity squad, focusing on improving technique and building power for the spring season.
At the beginning of December focus shifts to indoor training. During this time the athletes work to increase their muscular strength and continue to build upon their cardiovascular base which will be crucial to them as they enter into the spring season. They utilize a training program which includes lifting and intensive training on the indoor rowing machines.
The spring racing season begins in March and runs through May. Spring season is the most competitive part of the racing schedule. Spring races cover a distance of 2,000 meters. We resume water training where we work on racing technique and make use of the strength, endurance and power built during the winter.
What are the different positions on the crew team?
There are two positions in rowing: The coxswain and the rower. The typical coxswain is light, their weight varying from 100-120 pounds. The coxswain is in charge of steering the boat, challenging the crew, and implementing the practice plans. They are a large part of what makes the team successful.
Rowers are determined, competitive and have a drive to succeed. Rowing involves a lot of leverage, so height is a distinct advantage. Average height for a rower is usually 5'9 though athletes vary in size. Power and intensity are often found in unique packages. It is often found that athletes with backgrounds in sports such as basketball, volleyball, track, cross-country and swimming make extremely competitive rowers in college. Experienced high school rowers at UC will row with the varsity in the fall. Their status allows them the flexibility to row with either the novice or varsity in the spring.
What is your practice schedule?
When we are in season we practice six days a week, two to three hours a day, following the twenty hour a week rule set by the NCAA for Division I sports. During the fall we are in season from the middle of September to the middle of November In the spring we begin our season in February and conclude the season in May. During the winter months, December thru January, we practice five days a week an hour and a half a day.
How many athletes are on your team?
Our team consists of two squads, the varsity squad and the novice squad. The novice squad includes all incoming freshman or first year rowers. The varsity squad is made up of athletes in their second, third or fourth year of collegiate rowing. Both squads travel and compete at the same regattas. We race multiple novice and varsity boats.
How do I find out about scholarships?
UC's Rowing Program offers scholarships to athletes who display exceptional athletic abilities. It is possible to receive a scholarship at UC for rowing with or without previous rowing experience. As with any college sport, scholarships are limited and competitive.
To find out about scholarships you need to let us know who you are. You can begin this process by sending us information that will help us get to know you better as an athlete. If you have previous rowing experience you should send us a videotape of yourself rowing and/or erging. You should also include information on your latest erg scores, letters from your coaches, along with the results of recent regattas you have competed in. If you are a coxswain include a tape of your coxing at a practice or competition. If you are a multi-sport athlete you should give us information about your abilities by sending us game results, letters from coaches or videos of yourself competing.
Communications is the best way to get all the information you need on scholarships and to find out your potential for receiving one. Call us, send us emails, ask us questions. Let us know who you are as a person and as an athlete. Keep us informed as your season and school year progresses. We enjoy hearing from you.