Rowing FAQ's
8/27/2010 12:07:00 PM | Rowing
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need experience to try-out for the team?
No. We have a "novice" designed for those with no prior experience.
You will spend a year as a novice learning the sport with many others who are
also new to rowing.
What do I need to do to
try-out?
There will be an informational meeting the first week of school in the fall. At
the meeting, we will hand out some paperwork, talk about the team, introduce
the coaching staff and some current rowers and further explain the try-out
process. If you cannot attend the meeting, please email Coach Chipps at
dchipps@creighton.edu
If I don't know how to
row, how will you decide who makes the team at tryouts?
Tryouts will last 14 days, and you will spend time learning how to row in a
boat as well as on our rowing machines (ergs). We will also do different
activities to determine your athletic ability. We are looking for overall
athletic ability and a positive attitude. It's not necessarily about who the
best athlete at tryouts is, but who has the most potential as a rower and team
player.
Are there different
positions on the team?
Yes. There are port and starboard positions for the rowers. Port side rowers
use an oar that is attached to the left side of the boat and starboards use one
attached to the right side. There is also the position of "coxswain".
The coxswain sits in the stern (and sometimes bow) of the boat, and is
responsible for steering, calling commands, assisting with technique, and
providing motivation for the rowers during racing and practices. If you are
less than 120 lbs., you may want to consider becoming a coxswain.
What are practices like
and how often are they?
After the initial try-out period, practices will start out 5 days a week, about
1½ to 2 hours a day. Once we get closer to our first fall race, we will begin
practices 6 days a week and continue with that schedule for the rest of the
year. Practices vary slightly depending on the time of year, but they usually
entail rowing on the water, rowing on the rowing machines (ergometers),
running, lifting, and flexibility/body core exercises.
Where does the team
practice?
Water practices will take place at the Carter Lake, near the Omaha
Airport. Land practices will take
place on campus in the athletic facilities and Kiewit Fitness Center.
How long is the rowing
season?
There are actually two seasons. We begin training for the fall season in
September and race in October and November. The fall races are longer, usually
about 3 miles in length. When we return from the winter break in January, we
begin training for our championship season, which runs March through May. The
majority of racing is 2000 meters or about 1 ¼ miles.
Does the novice team
get to travel too?
Yes. The novice and varsity squads travel together to most competitions. We typically travel with 4 to 5 boats
of athletes, as there are different events and boat classifications.
How much will it cost?
As an intercollegiate student-athlete at CU, almost all of your costs
associated with rowing will be covered. You will only be required to pay for
nominal fees associated with registration with the NCAA. We will cover the
costs of uniforms, travel, and other expenses related to being a
student-athlete.
Who do I contact if I
have any questions?
Please email Coach Chipps (dchipps@creighton.edu) with any questions.
