New to Rowing?
Learning a new sport or joining a new team can feel overwhelming when it should be fun! We also understand that adults have busy schedules and full lives, and commitment levels may vary from person to person and week to week. Whether you're brand new to the sport or transitioning to a masters team after a high school or college career, feeling prepared and knowing what to expect can make the journey a little smoother.
Why is rowing a great the best sport?
Talk about the boats.
What should I wear to practice?
Rowing, often called crew, is a water sport that combines the benefits of cardiovascular training with strength training in a low-impact method that's suitable for people of all ages! Many rowers on our team discovered the sport later in life as a way to stay healthy and active without risking wear and tear on joints or harsh movements causing injury. Rowers are among the fittest athletes across all sports - and you can continue to row and/or compete as you age.
What is masters rowing?
In rowing, like many sports, the term "masters" simply means post-collegiate. BRRC Masters welcomes members ages 21+ for both competitive and recreational rowing. No prior experience is needed - you do not need to have mastered the sport prior to joining!
The boats, or shells, come in a variety of sizes, shapes and configurations. There are sweep boats, in which each rower operates a single oar off 1 side of the boat, and sculling boats, in which each rower operates a pair of oars, 1 on each side of the boat. Sweep boats can be 8 person, 4 person, or 2 person (pair). Sculling boats can be 4 person (quad), 2 person (double), or 1 person (single). 4 and 8 person sweep boats typically have a coxswain - a non-rower seated at one end of the boat who steers and commands the rowers. Most beginners at BRRC will start in an 8 person sweep boat to get the hang of the technique and learn how to row in sync as a complete boat - or crew.
For on the water practices, pay attention to the weather. In general, you want to wear form-fitted clothing (nothing too loose!) that is appropriate for outdoor workouts. In the spring and fall, we recommend wearing a few lightweight, synthetic layers that can be easily added or removed throughout the practice. Your feet will go inside shoes that are attached to the boat, so you should wear sneakers or sandals that are easy to take on and off, and socks! While you should not expect to go swimming or be submerged in water, it's not uncommon for rowers to get wet from splashing oars - plan accordingly!
What should I expect from the practices?
Team members must use our team app, Heja, to sign up for practices ahead of time. Once you've committed, it's very important that you attend! Coaches will create boat lineups ahead of time, assigning each rower a specific seat in a specific boat. Arrive at each practice 10-15 minutes prior to the start time to warm up and help with prep. When it's time to launch, your coxswain will guide each crew of rowers to carry their boat from the boathouse to the dock. Practices typically consist of some warm up rowing, drills, and then more continuous rowing or training pieces. After practice, team members carry the boats back to their rack in the boathouse and put away all equipment prior to leaving.
Want information on joining our team? Have questions about who we are and what we do? Looking for ways to get involved? Reach out! A team representative will be in touch with you as soon as possible.