If You’ve Never Rowed Before, Should You Walk-On?
Never rowed a stroke in your life and wondering if college rowing is a wise choice for you?
That can be a tricky question to answer.
A huge number of college rowers have never rowed before they came to college. They are called “walk-ons” and college rowing programs are filled to them. [One estimate is that up to 85% of college rowers are walk-ons.]
Walk-ons come out for rowing for many different reasons. Over the years here are the most common reasons our walk-ons have told us they try out:
- Coach asked them to
- It seems like an appealing activity
- Everyone in their dorm floor is trying it
- They want to make friends and socialize
- They want to get in shape
- It looks like fun
There certainly are other reasons, however, I have found that the last one, “having fun” is the most common one.
So, what should you do if you think you might like to become a walk-on for a college team?
First, I would start with the coach. Contact him/her and ask a few simple questions, such as:
- Do you take walk-ons, with no experience
- Do you have a novice program (a program specifically designed for rowers with no experience)
- Is it a club or varsity sport
- Is there a call-out meeting (orientation meeting), and
- Is there anything that you should do before that meeting (forms, etc.)
Important . . . keep them simple questions. The temptation may be to ask coach about practice times, schedules, workouts, and so forth. You certainly can, but I suggest you wait for the meeting as many things change.
Second, I would talk to one or more athletes on the team. Are they nice?, welcoming?, supportive? Are they people who you would like to associate with? Your answers to these make quite a difference.
Third, have a conversation with yourself. Why are you thinking of rowing? Pick your top two reasons (see above list) and keep them fresh in your mind. That way when you begin and if your reasons for rowing are not happening (for example, it is not fun) you know that it might not be the right choice for you.
Part of going to college is taking risks and trying new things. If you have a sense rowing might be right for you, give it a shot. You have very little to loose, and much to possibly gain.
