Students, I’m hoping that over the short break you have time for a bit of crew study (in addition to the personal training called for in the calendar).  The mirror work page has two new videos added (#3 and #4).  These are about bracing for the heavy lifts we are doing in the weight room.  They offer much more detail than you will be getting at practice.  Bracing is a vital skill for safety and success.  Please watch them closely so you are ready to lift when we get back in the weight room on the 4th.

We lift weights at the school on Saturdays. We’re going to lift heavy which means we’re going to emphasize form/technique to ensure safety/success. Along those lines, here is a reading assignment: hip hinge.  We will practice this at the boathouse too, but the ambitious among us will practice it at home too.

We did ok on Saturday.  The event was more about improving than competing.  We learned plenty, and have many more lessons to clarify based on our racing so we can keep getting better.  Massive thanks to the families for supporting all our work.  It’s too bad the X4+ race got cancelled; I know they would have rowed well.  Race videos are below.

Admin going forward: the end of practice Monday is the deadline for each student to notify the coaches about their intentions to participate in HOTL on Sunday the 24th.  That event is on our home water, which makes for a much easier day.

I promised more information to our new members joining the team. Here it is (revised to clarify COVID screening in week one). The contents are useful for varsity too. If you’re considering joining, please read the info after reading the next two posts.

Our test of the barge went well. It will be an excellent tool in quickly training what we hope will be a very large group of novices joining this year. Interested students can read below for info on joining the team.

Looking for a sport for fall, winter, and/or spring season(s) in 2021-2022? Consider rowing. No prior experience is needed.  There are no try-outs.  There are no cuts.  If you’ve got the drive and enthusiasm to keep up with us, we’ll help you become a competitive athlete.  Attend practice, and you’ll race. We have a full year’s training planned (calendar is here).

Perhaps some past highlights will motivate you. Want more info? Start your reading here. There’s lots more info here. Want to ask questions? Come see us at sophomores orientation on the 1st or freshmen orientation on the 2nd. If you’re worried this is a water sport, don’t be.

Want to improve you’re endurance? We do plenty of that. Want to lift? We do that too. Want to win races? We’ve done that at the Regional and State level. Want to learn while you train? Scroll down the posts below as far as March 13 to appreciate our emphasis on teaching and learning. Want a college athletic scholarship? Women have a shot (men… not really); see video below of our most recent athlete to get one.

A very impressive result, especially considering our limited time on the water this year:

We all miss water time (see video below for reminder).  When we get it back, we’ll want to make the most of that rowing.  The more physically prepared we are, the more fun it will be.  Wouldn’t it be great to row like an end-of-fall HOTO-8 on day one?  I’ll be posting summer workout suggestions in updates to this post.  Each week will have a primary focus.  Here are the weeks.

We didn’t get to do our safesport lesson this year.  The video below is a small make-up session.  Safesport is about treating each other with respect and kindness.  And how we interact often starts with how we speak.  It’s worth taking some notes, and really thinking about the points being made.  Because this isn’t just about safesport.  Quality speech is a key skill for coxswains, captains, teammates, etc.  Want to do well in future job interviews?  Speech is vital.  Miss speaking to your friends in person?  Improve the conversations you will eventually have.  Oh… one more thing.  Notice how the video ends with speaking AND listening.  If you want people to listen to you, start by listening to them.  That’s safesport too.

Sitting is bad for you.  Do less sitting.  Maybe distance learning lets you stand up in class.  Maybe you’ll discover that’s better for your learning… and your health.