RowCollege

Equipment. Does it Matter What They Row?

During the past few weeks of recruiting I've been asked several times what type of rowing equipment we use in our program. That certainly is a reasonable question, and I think that it should be asked by someone who is considering investing four years of their time rowing with us.

However, the question does not go far enough.

Asking this question, most people are thinking only about shells and boats. I can understand why . . . there certainly are preconceived ideas many people have about which shells are better/faster—just like there are about cars. But is the answer to "What equipment do you use" really going to be a deal breaker for you?

I  suggest you find out more. Dig deeper with a question like this . . . "I'd like to know what type of shells and oars your team uses, and could you also tell me:

• how many ergometers you have and if they are in good shape,
• is your trailer very old,
• does the team have access to workout equipment such as weights and tanks,
• and, do team members have access to an Athletic Trainer?"

Seem odd to be asking these? Why?

They are all things that will play importantly in your rowing at one time or another. Shouldn't you know the answer before you sign up.

Remember, rowing is a very equipment intensive sport. Only some of that equipment is shells and oars.

5 Clues From a Smart Boathouse Tour (part 2)

Here we go again looking for clues at the boathouse that might give you insight into the program you are considering . . .

Oar Handles

The third clue to seek out is the condition of the oar handles. When you have a moment wander over to the oar rack(s) and check out a few of the oars. How are the handles? Good condition, free of dings, dents, and damage? Or are they beat-up, and need of repair?

It makes a heck-of-a-difference what their condition is when you are rowing with them. Bad oar handles can make your rows miserable. If you see bad ones that might be something to put on your list to ask the coach about later.

Boat Names

The next clue may well seem silly even to consider, but give it a shot. Ask where the names on the boats came from?

The logic here is that if the names are to honor someone, say like a person who rowed in the program then went on to become a famous astronaut (US Naval Academy has an "Allen Sheppard" eight,) then that is a nice honor and  is a clue to tradition and success in the program. Or, if it is named after a significant donor, that may indicate good financial support.

However, if the name is for something like a movie or a TV show that the rowers watched one weekend, well . . . that shows a wasted opportunity to honor someone. [Unless, of course, the movie is a fantastic one like "Oxford Blues." Yup, I am joking].

Display Area

The final clue to scout out is basically this, is there an award/trophy display area? Is there a place where honors, such as All-American plaques are placed for all to see? If not, ask yourself, "Why?" Possibly they are not at the boathouse, but instead at the Athletic Department. Maybe there are no honors to display. Again another clue for you to dwell on.

Five clues (tracks, bathrooms, oar handles, boat names, display area) that may give you valuable insight into the program and school you are considering.

If you look around, the boathouse just may be talking to you.

5 Clues From a Smart Boathouse Tour

For a recruit, touring a collegiate boathouse can be a special event. Often those boathouses are filled with equipment, athletes, and coaches that you don't see in an average high-school boathouse. Medals, trophies, and interesting trivia (did someone say "race banners") can be everywhere.

Exciting as all that may be, the downside of a boathouse tour is that it is very easy to get distracted. This can cause you to miss out on little details that can offer up important insight into what type of rowing program, and college, you are looking at. Following are five of those clues, and what they just may tell you.

Shell Tracks

Without tracks rowing just isn't, well . . . just isn't rowing—at least not like most of us know it. Shell tracks can hold an interesting clue into the rowing program that you are considering.

How's that?

When you have a moment, slide a finger inside a shell's track, and see what you get. Greasy finger? Might be a clue about how well the boats are maintained.

Poorly maintained boats just don't last. In an article I wrote, "Last Almost Forever: 13 Steps to Help Your Rowing Equipment Last An Eternity!," I stress one of the critical steps in helping equipment last is cleaning them, inside and out. Really well.

So if a boat isn't going to last, how will it be replaced? Through fundraising? Does that mean that you will be doing a lot of fundraising for funds for new equipment?

Something to think over.

Bathrooms

This is probably one of the most important clues at the boathouse, and it comes in two flavors. First, are there bathrooms? Second, if yes, what condition are they in?

I'm not talking about fancy locker rooms (although there are boathouses that have beautiful ones), I'm talking just plain-old-bathrooms. Here is a basic question to ask yourself, "If they're aren't any bathrooms, where the heck is a person in need of one supposed to go?

Out in the woods? Don't go?

That may well give you an idea of how thought out the process is of having athletes training in an area for a couple of hours.

And if they do have them, are they clean? You don't have to be able to eat off the floor, but is it scary in there? Does it look like the worst gas-station bathroom along I-95? If so, what do you think that tells you about the support of the program?

Coming up, three more clues to some very important items . . .