Parent and Rower Handbook
1 Revised September 11, 2018 Table of Contents
Welcome to Bromfield Acton-Boxborough Rowing ...... 3 General Practice Schedule ...... 3 Our Sport ...... 4 Goals ...... 4 Parents ...... 4 Communication ...... 5 Basic Expectations ...... 5 Special Expectations ...... 6 Selection Criteria ...... 6 Misperceptions: Putting them to rest ...... 6 What to bring to practice ...... 7 Clothing ...... 7 What not to bring to practice ...... 7 Blisters...... 8 Awards ...... 8 Our League: MPSRA ...... 8 Fees ...... 9 Fundraising ...... 9 Giving Opportunities ...... 9 At the Races: What to expect and watch for ...... 10 Transportation and Overnight Stays ...... 10 Tailgating ...... 11 Racing Deconstructed ...... 11 Rowing: The Basics ...... 12 Rowing Terminology ...... 14 Boat Classifications ...... 17
2 Welcome to Bromfield Acton-Boxborough Rowing
Bare Hill Rowing Association, the sponsoring program for the Bromfield Acton- Boxborough Rowing Team and the BAB Coaching Staff have prepared this handbook to help you get acquainted with our sport, the team’s activities and policies, and provide a more informed view on your daughter’s and/or son’s experience.
Our club operates as a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable and educational organization called Bare Hill Rowing Association, Inc. Our scholastic programs go under the name of Bromfield Acton- Boxborough Rowing. We do not receive financial support from either schools or towns.
We want to encourage your interest and enthusiasm as a parent to support the team’s efforts. Parents are expected to fill at least 2 volunteer spots per season.
We are very fortunate to have a great coaching staff. BHRA employs several coaches each season. We do our best to match the coach to athlete ratio per squad to provide a safe practice environment. Every coach has your student-athlete’s best interests at heart. While the team’s ultimate goal is to be successful at regattas, we do not place winning above a safe, positive team experience. It is important that if you ever have a question or concern that you contact your athlete's coach so that you can get the correct information.
Educating yourself about what is going on is the most important way you can support both your athlete and your coach. This is a sport of great highs and lows; each of these feelings plays an integral role in the overall experience and educational process of our athletes. We will be consistent in our philosophy and will make selection decisions based primarily on boat speed, supported by other criteria laid out under the heading Selection Criteria.
General Practice Schedule
The practice schedule will normally be: Novice Girls and Boys: 3:20-5:20pm Monday through Friday Varsity Girls: 3:20-5:30pm Monday through Friday and Saturday (time TBA) Varsity Boys: 3:20-5:50pm Monday through Friday and Saturday (time TBA) Eighth Grade Girls: 3:20-4:35pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and 3:20-5:20pm Friday Eighth Grade Boys: 4:20-5:35pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and 3:20-5:20pm Friday
Races are posted on the website and are held on Saturdays or Sundays but check the schedule to be sure.
We look forward to seeing you at the races!
3 Our Sport
The sport of rowing, though a team sport is unlike most team sports in that there is no “star,” no “playmaker,” and no “MVP.” Rowing is symmetry, synergy, and synchronization; the ultimate team sport where all of the rowers and coxswain in a boat must work in perfect timing with one another to be successful. A rower must strive to become a carbon copy of the teammate sitting in front or behind them. So the saying goes… “A crew is only as strong as its weakest link.” Even the most talented rowers will take many years of practice and thousands of strokes to achieve the fitness and skill to move their boat fast enough to win Olympic gold.
Rowing is a highly technical and physically demanding sport. That may sound a little scary for someone just starting out, but do not be deterred. Joining this team will provide your student- athlete one of the best experiences of their young lives. A commitment to rowing is more than just a commitment to physical training; it is also a commitment to teamwork, accountability and camaraderie. While we will work hard in practice, we will also have fun and, as a team, we will go on a journey of becoming successful oarsmen and women together.
Show your “Rowing Cred” We are involved in the sport of ROWING – NOT CREW. The word “crew” means the same as “team” and is closely associated with the sport of rowing. We are the Bromfield Acton- Boxborough Rowing Team or the Bromfield Acton- Boxborough Crew. We are NOT the Bromfield Acton-Boxborough Crew Team. This phrasing is redundant and rowers cringe when they hear that combination of words used.
Goals
The Bromfield Acton-Boxborough Rowing Team seeks to foster a positive and supportive environment for scholastic boys and girls to effectively learn how to row safely and well. In doing so, we aim to build a solid technical, mental, and physical base not only for their careers as rowers but also as student athletes and young men and women. As a team we will learn not only how to put our blades in the water, but also how to push ourselves mentally and physically, and how to encourage our teammates while working together towards a common goal. In joining our team, individuals will be asked to commit not just to learning a new sport, but also to sharing a team mentality and embracing hard work. By learning and working together, by pushing one’s self and one’s teammates in a positive manner, the Bromfield Acton- Boxborough team will produce fast and fun crews.
Parents
You are essential to our team’s success! Your support and encouragement not only keep the rowers going but the program going as well. To be successful in achieving our mission, it is essential that families, athletes and coaches work together as a cohesive team. Working together, we strive to foster relationships based on honesty, respect and civility and help young people become educated, mature and responsible young adults.
Rowing is a beautiful and demanding sport that builds character, physical strength, mental toughness, self-confidence and promotes the true meaning of the word "team." Rowing also demands a larger commitment from families in terms of time, money and energy than many other high school sports. Yet the learning experiences, the lasting friendships and sense of community enjoyed by rowers and parents outweigh the demands. The same team spirit and character embodied by the rowers is needed from parents to support and run Bromfield Acton- Boxborough Rowing.
Our athletes’ safety and well-being are of principal concern, whether at practice, at the trailer, loading boats and at races. In this spirit, we ask that parents and rowing families, as members of this community, work cooperatively and respectfully with the coaches to ensure the well- being of the athletes who are in our mutual charge. In the best interests of and respect for the team, its athletes and coaches, parents are asked to stay out of the trailer area and well away from team equipment. It is both a distraction and potentially dangerous to have spectators in the trailer and rigging area. Families are welcome to watch the process, however, it is 4 respectfully requested that this be done from a distance. In rowing, the equipment and trailer area is the equivalent of the "team bench" in other sports and we ask that all parents acknowledge and agree that it is a parent-free zone.
As a statement of support for an athlete's participation in the BAB rowing program, we ask parents to sign and fulfill "Parent Guidelines" each season when athletes register. Please take a few moments to review this form each time you sign it during the Registration process.
Communication
If your child has a question or concern about their status on the team, please encourage them to speak directly to their coach. If you feel your child is too shy to approach the coach, please let the coach know so that he or she can make a point to check in with them. It is our goal to empower the rower, this dialogue must take place between coach and athlete.
The recommended communications process is as follows:
. To discussing a concern or complaint: the athlete should first approach the coach or a team captain or a coxswain: Athlete Coach or team captain or coxswain
. If there is no resolution or the child cannot approach the coach, captain or coxswain, the parent may approach the coach: Athlete Parent Coach
. If there is no resolution with the coach, the parent should be directed to the Program Director or Board Complaint Liaison, presently Miriam Meyer ([email protected]). Other individual Board members will not directly intercede or attempt to solve a problem with a coach. Athlete Parent Coach Program Director/Board Complaint Liaison
In parent-requested meetings with a coach, two coaches may be present at the coach’s discretion to assure that all questions and concerns are fully and fairly heard.
In all cases, athletes are encouraged to talk directly with their coach to resolve questions and concerns at the outset.
Basic Expectations
All members are expected to meet the following standards and to hold their fellow teammates to them. 1. Each athlete must be academically eligible to participate in a sport. Names will be submitted to the Athletic Directors of each school for clearance. 2. Athletes must attend school to be eligible for practice on that day. 3. If an athlete will be late or cannot attend practice, it is their responsibility to tell the coach as early as possible and at least 3 hours before practice time (email, call, text). An athlete who fails to do this is in jeopardy of not being boated that day. Excessive unexcused absences (not notifying the coach or repeatedly missing practice could result in losing racing privileges or being asked to leave the team. 4. Athletes are expected to treat all coaches, teammates, and equipment with the utmost respect. 5. Inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated (cursing, fighting, bullying, disrupting the group). 6. Rowers are expected to be quiet whenever a coach or coxswain is talking. 7. There will be NO talking once you lay hands on the boat. Rowing involves a high level of concentration and focus. Talking in the boat is a distraction and can be dangerous to yourself as well as your teammates.
*If an individual continues to breach the “no talking” rules 6 and 7, parents will be contacted to discuss appropriate action. An athlete who is not listening and needs to be reminded by the coach is taking valuable time away from their teammates and is being inconsiderate, unsafe and disrespectful of the team goals. 5 8. Athletes are expected to dress appropriately for practice. Rowing is an outdoor sport and we row in all kinds of conditions. Appropriate clothing is essential to productive practice sessions. Beginners will be provided with details on types of clothing and ways to dress. The key is layering. Bring running shoes every day.
Special Expectations
1. Spring Break typically falls at the beginning of our race season. For the best team results, coaches expect team members to be at Spring Break Training Camp on the pond. If an individual will not be here for camp, they will not be boated in races on either end of break period. Since a lot of progress is made during camp on crew selection and overall flow of a boat, athletes who do not attend Training Camp should also realize they may have forfeited their seat in “their” boat and will need to work hard to regain it. 2. Coaches expect team members to be available for all regattas during the season. If a conflict arises, please notify the coach at the beginning of season. 3. Athletes are expected to participate in team related fundraising events. 4. Athletes are expected to participate in team designated community service projects.
Selection Criteria
Reaching the top boat on your squad requires both physical and mental determination. This is a sport of skill, strength, fitness and length and tends to favor the taller person. The bottom line is the length of stroke in the water and ability to apply power to that stroke is what moves the boat. Those individuals – tall or short who have the best technical skill to create long, effective strokes coupled with a strong work ethic and the right attitude are most likely to make the top boats. The coaches will use the following criteria as guidelines in the selection process.
. Attitude - Hard work, determination, effort, focus, and a positive and supportive spirit will get you far. . Coachability - How do you take direction from coaches, do you listen to comments? Are you able to make or do you attempt to make changes? Are you actively working to improve? . Technical ability - Ability to move the boat, understanding the basic rowing stroke. Are you able to row in time with the other crew members? Do you apply power in an effective manner? . Overall physical fitness - As determined by running results, core exercises, circuit work, erging and performance on the water. Any sort of physical activity we do will be considered in the assessment of your fitness level.
A coach typically starts their boat selection from the first boat, then works down to the 2nd boat and so on. Though an athlete’s ability to move a boat is extremely important, if race results between two rowers are fairly close, but one rower has a poor attitude or shows lack of determination, this could result in the coach choosing the rower with a positive attitude. Harmony and earned respect with the rest of the crew is a valued asset. If an individual is great on the erg but is lacking in technical ability, someone else may be boated over them. Again, the flow of the boat is more critical than one rower’s raw power (measured on the erg). For the 1st boat, a coach is looking for rowers who excel in all four categories. If your rower feels like they are lacking in one area, would like to improve, or would just like to know where they stand, please strongly encourage them to ask their coach.
Misperceptions: Putting them to rest
For those new to the sport of rowing there may be some things that seem unclear, or misperceptions about what makes a crew complete. Here are a few clarifications on the sport.
1. No seat is any more important than any other. There are 8, 4, 2 or 1 rower(s) seats in a boat, with 1 more seat for the coxswain to make 9 or 5 in the coxed boats. Every seat is integral to making a boat go fast and each seat has its own job to do and contributions to make to the crew. Rowers are not ranked based on their seat assignment; stroke seat is no better than bow seat. EVERY SEAT IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT!!
6 2. Rowing in the same boat with your best friend does not always make the fastest crews. If your best friend is being seat raced and you decide not to pull hard when the person they are being raced against, you have just given up the opportunity to be in the best crew. The rule of thumb is always give it your best effort no matter who is in your boat. If everyone has that mentality, we will have a winning team! 3. No matter how much you think you know about rowing, or think you have learned, there is ALWAYS more to learn. Be open to new ideas and changes, being set in one specific thought process does not allow for growth. 4. No matter how good you think you are at rowing, how strong you are, or how great your stroke is, someone is always better than you. Never stop trying to get better and make improvements. 5. Boat selection is NOT based on seniority or a parent’s ability to financially donate to the program. The coaches are looking for the best boat movers regardless of age, years of experience or parent’s financial worth.
What to bring to practice
✰ RUNNING SHOES!! Even if we are going on the water that day, bring them! ✰ Slip on shoes (Crocs/sandals/slides). It’s much easier and faster to get in/out of the boat if you do not have to untie your shoes to take them off. ✰ Enough clothing for all weather conditions. Do NOT underdress! ✰ A water bottle! Hydration is key. ✰ Sunscreen (apply pre-practice in cold or hot weather) ✰ A hat or sunglasses. ✰ A great attitude! Be open to listening to your coaches and teammates, helping each other and learning.
Clothing
Because of the sliding seat involved in rowing rowers need to wear tight, breathable clothing when rowing. Baggy shorts and pants will often get caught in the slides and cause problems, invest in a few pairs of spandex shorts and tights. “Dri-fit” or “wicking” types of fabrics are best as rowing causes perspiration and cotton, when sweaty, is not very fun. Rowing is an outdoor sport and we row in all conditions, tight long-sleeve athletic shirts/tighter cold weather gear is a good idea. A baseball hat for sunny days and a wool or polypro hat for cold days, and a good form fitting rain jacket such as the Team Gortex jacket is also recommended. The key is to DRESS IN LAYERS to be prepared for changing conditions on the water.
Required for competition: Parents are responsible for signing up for a team order and/or purchasing these items.
Novices: Team ordered racing shirt, plus white long sleeve tech shirt, black or navy blue spandex shorts and tights. Personal rain jacket and baseball hat. Ordering the Team Gortex jacket and hat are optional and not required. Varsity: Team ordered unisuit, Gortex jacket and white “Headsweats” hat, plus white long sleeve tech shirt, black or navy blue spandex shorts and tights
What not to bring to practice Chewing gum Your cell phone and electronics. Once practice officially starts there will be no texting/use of phones until practice officially ends. Valuables, leave at school or in the car.
7 Blisters
The rubber grips of rowing oars often cause blisters on the softer hands of new rowers. Until you begin to build up calluses expect a few blisters on your hands. They will heal themselves quickly as long as you keep them clean (soap and water, bacitracin) and dry. Taping your blisters with white athletic tape will also help to prevent discomfort while rowing (the coaching staff can help with this).
Awards
At the end of each spring season at the team banquet special awards are given. Coaches will recognize athletes who have made outstanding contributions to the team in various ways.
. Each athlete receives a “Certificate of Participation.” . Each captain is recognized. . Each senior is recognized with a memento given by BHRA, as well as a short tribute given by a teammate. . A senior who has completed 7 seasons as part of the high school program will receive a “7 Season Commemorative Oar” from BHRA in recognition of their years of commitment to the team. . An athlete who has completed at least 3 seasons as a varsity member will be given a Varsity Letter. A Letter may be awarded to an athlete who has not reached the 3 season rule if they have been a part of a crew that had a top 10 finish in the Head of the Charles or qualified for Youth National Championships.
Our League: MPSRA
The MPSRA is open to any public school in the State of Massachusetts. They organize a Fall and a Spring championship. Crews must compete against at least three other MPSRA programs during the regular season to be eligible to enter the championship regatta. As recognized by the MPSRA, only students from Bromfield and Acton-Boxborough schools may be members of our program.
In the MPSRA, rowers are separated by skill level – Novice - anyone in their first year of rowing. In some regattas the Novice is defined by 2 seasons for rowing regardless of age. Varsity - all others.
Novice rowers can participate in Varsity events but Varsity athletes cannot race in a novice crew.
Programs are required to race from the 1st boat level down. Exceptions are made for first year programs. Students can row in one sweep event and any number of sculling events.
MPSRA Programs
Arlington-Belmont Hingham Mystic Valley Boston Latin Holyoke Row Boston Bromfield Acton-Boxborough Lowell Shrewsbury Brookline Malden Somerville- CRLS Medford Everett Duxbury Methuen Wayland-Weston Haverhill Milton Worcester
8 Fees
The sport of rowing is equipment driven and the equipment is very expensive. Our registration fees are structured to cover only our operating expenses, such as coaches' salaries, regatta entries fees, insurance, basic boat maintenance, boat transportation costs for team travel, etc. The equipment fee is to help purchase equipment and maintain its upkeep. In adding the mandatory equipment fee, our goal was to scale back on the need for annual appeals. Since the equipment does not cover all our expenses it does not eliminate all fundraising campaigns.
Fundraising
Fundraising and donations are an integral part of any rowing program. The program has established two community-based events, “Leaf Raking” in the fall and the “Ergathon” in the spring. These events fill about 60% of our annual need so periodic fundraising campaigns are needed to fill the gap. Our biggest task is to provide viable and safe equipment for our athletes and coaches (a boat starts to lose its integrity after 5 years). In order to give our top crews the opportunity to compete at the highest level, we are constantly looking for ways to upgrade our used fleet of boats to newer, faster hulls. As we do this, we can drop down the oldest boats from the fleet, which allows us to provide the beginners with better equipment as well. A poor quality boat can have a direct effect on the speed of a good crew.
Here are a few examples of what things cost: Shoes = $60 Slings (hold the boat when on land) = $120 pair Sliding seat = $140 1 sweep oar = $300 Set of sculling blades = $500 Rigger = $450
Boats (new) Single = $8,000 Double = $11,000 Coxed Four = $22,500 Coxed Eight =$38,000
Giving Opportunities
We are always interested in corporate donations or matching gifts through the work place. Having you join our team as a sponsor could go a long way to helping our athletes achieve even greater success and enrichment in the coming years. We offer a unique way for you to honor a loved one … by making a contribution you could create a “Naming Gift,” which allows you to place a name on a boat or an oar. Each time the team takes to the water, your “Naming Gift” goes with them. How wonderful would it be to see your boat race across the finish line first?
In choosing to donate towards a boat, you will be given the opportunity to name and christen it in a special ceremony scheduled during the school year. This is a wonderful way to honor a family member or person that had a big impact on you or your child’s life. Parents may also join forces to name a boat after their children’s Class Year.
Naming Gift Opportunities A donation, whether by an individual or group that constitutes 2/3 of the price of the boat, will earn naming rights to said boat. The full value of an oar is required to earn naming rights. Total amount of your gift will be reflected in your BHRA gift receipt for your tax purposes. BHRA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
9 At the Races: What to expect and watch for
When we attend a regatta, parents should expect to spend most of the day at the location. It takes time to move a rowing team from the pond to the competition site and back home. Generally speaking, on Friday afternoons the trailer is loaded by the team with all that we need for the regatta. That means de-rigging the boats, loading them on the trailer, tying them down very carefully with all of the gear we need, such as oars and slings to set up camp at the race site. Loading day means practice may run as much as an hour later than usual. Coaches will give their athletes an idea of the actual pick up time.
Getting ready to race requires the athletes to off load their boat, get it rigged and ready to go. Once at the regatta site the athletes are expected to be fully engaged with their coach until after their racing is done and their boat is de-rigged and loaded back on the trailer. A coach should not have to look for an athlete who decides to wander off and hang out at the team tent.
Dressing properly: Coaches expect athletes to be fully prepared with clothing to stand around in, race in, and change into after racing. Athletes must comply with Racing Uniform requirements, which means everyone matches exactly. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR CHILD HAS PACKED ENOUGH CLOTHING TO STAY WARM AND DRY. Rowing is an outdoor sport; we race in all conditions, including hot or cold temperatures, rain and snow. A day at the race course can be long and uncomfortable if not dressed properly. Of course if the weather is such that it is unsafe, the regatta will be delayed or cancelled, most commonly this is due to wind or dangerous currents.
Transportation and Overnight Stays
Practices: It’s the responsibility of parents to arrange for transportation to practice. The coaches or organization do not provide assistance with this. A “car-pool” parent volunteer may be available to help out.
Races: In most cases, our parents are expected to transport their child to the regatta site. Athletes are expected to arrive promptly at the meeting time designated by their coach. If we are traveling to an overnight race, we charter a bus so the whole team may travel together. Athletes are expected to travel on the bus and stay with the team on the way to a race, unless there are extenuating circumstances. In this case, the parent needs to contact the Travel Committee to receive approval to travel outside the team. Athletes may travel home from a race with their parents. All athletes pay the same amount for team travel no matter how they return home. All travel and hotel expenses are the responsibility of the parent. If a parent needs financial assistance for travel, they should contact the BHRA Treasurer in a timely manner so the Travel Committee can be alerted.
Each coach will provide their crews instructions on what time they expect their athletes to arrive at a local regatta.
On overnight stays, a time will be set for athletes to be settled in their rooms and lights out. If the athlete is staying with their parent, no other monitoring will be done. If we are traveling by bus and booked into a hotel as a team, athletes will be expected to abide by rules set forth by coaches and chaperones. If an individual chooses to break these rules, the coach has full right to pull this person from racing the next day. Our rules are simple.
Athletes may not leave the hotel unless approved by a coach or a chaperone. Athletes must be in their room at the designated time. Lights must be out at the designated time. Rowdy or destructive behavior will not be tolerated and could mean the athlete forfeits either team or racing privileges. Athletes are expected to be good citizens representing our team. Athletes are expected to be respectful of hotel staff, other guests and chaperones. Athletes are NOT permitted to access pay per view or the mini bar in any room. Athletes will forfeit privilege of competing and parents will be billed for expenses incurred.
Athletes will also be asked to sign and fulfill an Athlete Code of Conduct and Travel Policies each season. Please take a few moments to review these forms with your athlete. 10 Tailgating
Tailgating is a traditional activity with most sports. Parent volunteers will setup, man, supply food and take down the tailgate at the end of the regatta. Since rowing has a limited spectator draw, we are dependent on families and friends to be our cheering section. The tailgate tent is a great place for parents, loyal supporters and athletes to gather during or after a day of racing. The team tent’s primary goals are to provide food for the athletes and a meeting place for parents.
Racing Deconstructed
EVENT A rowing event is called a REGATTA. Events are divided into 2 disciplines - sweep rowing and sculling - and two categories within those - lightweight and open. The distance measurement in rowing is usually calibrated in meters.
THE RULES Each crew is allowed one false start. Two mean disqualification. If, within the first 100 meters, there is legitimate equipment breakage, there will be a restart. Crews should travel in a straight line from start to finish. If they veer off-course but do not impede the progress of the other crews, they will be allowed to continue to race. If they do impede the other crews, they may be disqualified depending on the severity of the incident.
STROKE The whole body is involved in moving the shell through the water. Although rowing looks like an upper-body sport, the legs are the dominant force and provide most of the power. There are four parts to the rowing stroke: catch, drive, finish, and recovery. They all flow together in a smooth, continuous, powerful movement.
STRATEGY 2000-meter races are usually broken up into 500-meter increments. All the boats in a heat are aligned side by side. The start happens from a dead stop, all rowers poised at the catch position, ready to take the first stroke. There is an initial burst of effort, usually at a high stroke rating and maximum effort, to get the boat up to speed. Starts in the eight are taken at 40-44 strokes per minute. After 20 strokes at this intensity, the crew will take a sub-settle to a rating of 38 and after another 10 strokes the crew will settle to their base rate of 36-32 (depending on the boat class). During the middle phase of the race the coxswain will call various moves to either respond to an opposing crew or focus on technical goals or a problem. The coxswain will call for a ‘ten’ for the crew to focus on one element of the race (it could be power or technique) for 10 consecutive strokes. The last 500 meters brings the crew's stroke rating back up, normally reaching its peak in the last 250 meters. A typical sprint will last about 45 seconds to 1 minute at a stroke rate of 38-40. The rower's heart rate will max at 190-200 on the start and sprint and level at 180 during the middle 1000 meters. The coxswain's role is to steer the boat, call the race plan and keep the crew psyched up. The first bow ball across the finish is the winner.
RACE OFFICIALS
STARTER/REFEREE - this person is stationed in a launch at the start area, they are responsible for polling the crews to make sure they are ready, when completed they call the start command of ATTENTION…GO! After the start, they follow the race from behind to watch for any possible steering problems between crews that might cause a collision or foreign debris in the water that may present a risk to the boats. The referee is responsible for the overall timing of the race.
ALIGNER - normally stationed on the shore to sight across the bows of the boats to make sure they are even. The aligner communicates with the stake boat person to tell them whether to let their boat out or pull it in to even up the bow balls.
FINISH LINE JUDGE - This person’s job is to sight through the finish line stakes to call the finishing order of crews. The flag person moves the flag on their command. This person is also responsible for calling photo finishes (often assisted by a video camera). 11 STAKEBOAT PERSON - a person (for each crew) sits in a moored dingy on the starting line. Holding the boats from the stern their job is to keep the boat in position so that the bow balls line up, allowing for an even start.
Rowing: The Basics
The information of this section is drawn mainly from the US Rowing Association website: http://www.usrowing.org/parents/
Rowing Motion The whole body is involved in moving the shell through the water. Although rowing looks like an upper-body sport, the legs are the dominant force and provide most of the power. There are four parts to the rowing stroke: catch, drive, release and recovery.
The catch is the moment the blade enters the water, the drive is the power phase of the stroke (when the blade is in the water and the boat is at its most stable position). The moment the blade exits the water is the release, when the power phase ends. The recovery is the time that the blade is out of the water and traveling to the catch position and the rower must use her oar to balance the boat.
“Catching a crab” is when the blade cannot be released from the water at the release because it is not perpendicular to the water. A suction-like effect is caused, not allowing the blade to pop out of the water. A minor crab can cause the rower to have to stop to clear their oar; a major crab will require the whole boat to stop.
The stroke rate is how many strokes per minute the crew is rowing, and the swing is the overall rhythm of the entire crew. The run refers to the movement of the boat through the water. A fast, smooth looking boat has run or good spacing. Spacing is the distance between the #2 release puddle and Stroke’s catch.
Sweeping vs. Sculling Athletes with two oars are scullers. Athletes with only one oar are sweep rowers. The 8th grade members focus strictly on sculling in team boats called quads. The high crews mainly use sweep boats. Our boats carry a coxswain to steer and be the on-the-water coach. We race in fours with a coxswain and eights with a coxswain. Athletes are identified by their seat in the boat. The athlete in bow is seat No. 1, that's the person who crosses the finish line first. The person in front of the bow is No. 2, then 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, a.k.a. the stroke. The stroke sets the rhythm and number of strokes per minute the rest of the crew must follow.
Oars Oars move the boat through the water and act as balancers. Sweep oars are 12’-6” long, approximately two feet longer than sculling oars. The blades, the large area at the end of the shaft of the oar, is the only portion of the oar that enters the water and shows the school colors. Although oars with standard shaped blades are still used, oars with hatchet blades are the most popular because of their larger surface area.
12 Boats Boats or shells are light and appear fragile but are crafted to be strong and stiff in the water. The longest boat, the eight, is 58 feet long, a single scull is 25 feet. BAB mainly competes in Fours and Eights.
The oars are attached to the boat with riggers, which allow for the levering action of rowing. Generally, sweep rowers sit in configurations that have the oars alternating from side to side along the boat.
The side of the boat to the right of the rower is the port; the side of the boat to the left of the rower is the starboard. Rowers are generally assigned to one or the other side, and are therefore a port or a starboard. The rowers’ seats are sliding seats, they move on rollers. Seats also have rowers’ shoes that are bolted into the foot stretchers.
TEAM MEMBERS
Coxswains The brain behind the brawn. Good coxswains are driven, smart, quick thinkers, articulate, competitive leaders with a lot of common sense. In addition to steering the shell, the coxswain executes the practice and race plan and works to ensure the safety of the crew and equipment. Their ability to execute a practice enables the coach to focus the attention on the technical improvement of the rowers. Coxswains who participate in land training with their crews gain more respect from their teammates.
Rowers The horsepower. Good rowers are motivated, powerful, fit, smart and competitive. They have a desire for personal improvement while understanding and accepting the impact their actions have on the crew as a whole. Increased fitness and technical improvement are their primary objectives. Rowers should come into each season in shape and ready to work hard from day one. No seat in the boat is more important than the other. Each rower and coxswain contributes to the whole. A crew’s success is dependent on everyone to give their best effort. In rowing, unlike most other sports, a crew is often defined by its weakest member. There are no stars in rowing.
TYPES OF RACES
Spring Sprint Races High School and College races and championships are held separately. The traditional distance for high school is 1500 meters. Regattas organized by the United States Rowing Association are 2000 meters - which is the international distance for juniors. College races are 2000 meters.
The start happens from a dead stop. The rowers are poised at the catch, ready to take the first stroke. All the boats in an event are aligned side by side. There is an initial burst of effort, usually at a high stroke rating and maximum effort, to get the boat up to speed. After these starting strokes the coxswain will call for their crew to ‘settle’ into the race at a lower rate. The rower is pulling as hard as they can. To respond to an opposing crew, or focus on technical goals or a problem, the coxswain will call for a ‘ten’ – when a crew focuses on one element of the race (it could be power or technique) for 10 consecutive strokes. In the last several hundred meters of the race, the coxswain calls the stroke rating and effort back up, and the crew ‘sprints’ for the finish line. First bow ball across the finish is the winner.
Summer Club and International Racing U.S. and International Championships are held during the summer. Club and International races are 2000 meters. Race format is identical to spring season with all racing be done over 2000 meters except for masters/veteran age which is 1000 meters.
Fall Head Season High School, College, Club and International crews compete in separate events at the same regatta. Distances vary from 3000 meters/2 miles to 4500 meters/3 miles. The race distance depends on the available water of the organizing club. The Head of the Charles Regatta is the most prestigious of these regattas and takes place over a distance of 3 miles. All of the crews entered in the same event are assembled above the starting line. At 15- 13 second intervals they cross the starting line and begin racing against the clock. Because of the length of the race, the stroke rates are generally a few beats lower than sprint races. ‘Tens’ are called as needed. Crews are allowed to pass if overtaking a slower boat, but they must yield the better line if a faster crew is going to catch them. Results are based on a crew’s elapsed time over the course.
Winter Erg Season Indoor events are similar to fall regattas with different events at the same competition. Indoor races are also 2000 meters. The CRASH-B Sprints in Boston is the official world championship
Rowing Terminology
For an extensive list go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary of rowing_terms
Bow: The forward section of the boat. The first part of the boat to cross the finish line.
Bow seat: The rower closest to the front or bow of a multi-person shell. In coxless boats, often the person who keeps an eye on the water behind him to avoid accidents.
Catching a Crab: Is when oar does not enter the oar at the right angle (needs to be at 90 degrees), gets caught beneath the surface not allowing the rower to extract the blade from the water. This could cause the boat to stop suddenly and is often very difficult to clear until all rowers in boat stop rowing and boat is at a standstill.
Coxswain (pronounced COX-in): The person who steers the shell and is the on-the-water coach for the crew. He/she is selected for their smaller size and lighter weight. Also referred to as, the cox. Tradition has it that the crew throws the cox into the water if they win their race. The coxswain either sits in the stern or bow of the boat. At championship races the coxswains have to weigh in. Max for girls is 110 lbs. and 125 lbs. for boys. If the coxswain weighs less, they must carry sand bags in the boat which combined with their weigh brings them to the designated max weight.
Engine room: The middle rowers in the boat. In an 8-person shell, these are generally seats 5, 6, and 3 and 4 to a lesser degree. They are generally the biggest and strongest rowers.
Foot stretcher: An adjustable footplate, which allows the rower to easily adjust his or her physical position relative to the slide and the oarlock. The footplate can be moved (or "stretched") either closer to or farther away from the slide front stops.
Heavyweight: A rower who weighs more than the restrictions for lightweight rowing. Often referred to as Open weight. Above 130 lbs. for girls and above 155 lbs. for boys.
Head Race: A long race in which rowers race a twisting course of about 3 miles. A race for time. The start is staggered. Usually in the fall months.
Lightweight: A rower whose weight allows him or her to be eligible to compete in lightweight rowing events. At or below 130 lbs. for girls and 155 lbs. for boys.
NB4, NG8, etc.: shorthand for Novice Boys 4 boat and Novice Girls 8 boat, etc.
Novices: Rowers who are rowing for the first season, or with in MPSRA rules, rowers 9th grade and below. In racing, a novice may row in a varsity boat, but a varsity rower may not row in a novice boat.
Oar (and related words): A specially crafted carbon fiber shaft that is attached to a boat at the Oarlock. The rower grips one end of the shaft, called the “handle,” the other end has a "blade," which is placed in the water during the propulsive phase of the stroke.
1. square: the position the blade is in when it enters the water. Allows the rower to create pressure against the water, propelling the boat.
14 2. feather: the position of the blade when it is out of the water and on the recovery phase of the stroke. This allows for least air resistance when boat is on the recovery phase of the stroke. 3. oarlock: The rectangular lock at the end of the rigger that physically attaches the oar to the boat. The oarlock also allows the rower to rotate the oar blade between the "square" and "feather" positions.
Parts of the Stroke:
1. catch: the seat should be toward the stern, back and arms straight, arms fully extended, knees deeply bent, shins perpendicular to the water. The rower is folded and ready to uncoil. 2. drive: straighten legs, slide seat toward bow, pull toward bow with trunk/torso. Keep arms out straight and at a constant level, keep knees between arms. Complete the drive by leaning back and pulling the oars to the abdomen. 3. release: leaning back, lift the oar blades with a slight downward push on the handles; simultaneously drop wrists slightly to rotate the oar and feather the blade parallel to the water. 4. recovery: extend arms forward, slide seat toward stern, and bring thighs up to chest. Try to be light on the seat, pushing down slows the forward movement.
Port: A sweep rower who rows with the oar on the port or left side of the boat.
Power 10: a call for rowers to do ten (10) of their best, most powerful strokes; it’s a strategy used to pull away from a competitor.
Ratio: the difference between the time taken for the drive and the recovery. The recovery should take approximately twice as long as the drive. This slows the rower down to avoid impeding the forward progress of the shell. Good ratio allows for more run.
Repechage (Reps): a last-chance qualifying heat in which the runners-up in earlier heats race each other, with the winner advancing to the finals.
Rigger: It is a projection from the side (gunwale) of a racing shell. The oarlock is attached to the far end of the rigger away from the boat. The rigger allows the racing shell to be narrow thereby decreasing drag, while at the same time placing the oarlock at a point that optimize leverage of the oar. There are several styles of riggers, but they are most often a triangle frame, with two points attached to the boat, and the third point being where the oarlock is placed. Rigging is also used to describe whether a boat is stroked by a port or starboard (i.e. port-rigged, starboard-rigged). With sweep rowing, riggers typically alternate sides, though it is not uncommon to see two adjacent seats rigged on the same side of the boat. When traveling, the riggers are removed from the boat to allow for easier fit on the boat trailer.
Run: the distance a shell moves during the course of one stroke. Calculate the run by looking for the distance between the puddles made by the same oar.
Scull: a light, narrow racing boat for one, two or sometimes four rowers; each rower is equipped with a pair of oars. These oars are smaller than the oars used in sweep rowing.
Sculler: A rower who rows with two oars, one in each hand.
Seat race: A method to compare two rowers in fours or eights. Two boats race against each other once. One rower from each boat switch positions, and the two boats race again. Relative performance in the two races is used to compare the abilities of the two rowers.
Seat Number: A rower's position in the boat counting up from the bow. In an eight, the person closest to the bow of the boat is "bow" or 1, the next is 2, followed by 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and finally 8 or "stroke."
15 Set the Boat: A call made by the coxswain when the boat is off keel – not level to the water. Rowers control this by the changing their handle heights.
Shell: a light, long, narrow boat, for rowing by one or more persons.
Skeg (or fin): Thin piece of flat metal or plastic that helps stabilize the shell in the water.
Slides (or tracks): Hollow rails upon which a rower’s sliding seat will roll.
Slings: Folding, portable temporary boat holders. Two are required to hold a boat.
Starboard: A sweep rower who rows with the oar on the starboard or right side of the boat.
Stern: the back or rear of the boat.
Stroke (Seat): The rower closest to the stern of the boat, responsible for the stroke rate and rhythm.
Sweep rowing: A rower who rows with one oar (in both hands).
Swing: the hard-to-define feeling when near-perfect synchronation of motion occurs in the shell, enhancing the overall speed and performance.
Varsity: having at least one calendar years’ worth of rowing experience. In racing, a novice (less than one year of experience) may row in a varsity boat, but a varsity rower may not row in a novice boat.
VG8, VB4, etc.: shorthand for Varsity Girls 8 boat and Varsity Boys 4 boat and the like.
Weigh or way enough: The command to stop rowing (i.e. creating "way") or, in some cases, whatever the rower is doing, whether it be while carrying the boat or rowing. Often pronounced way-nuf.
16 Boat Classifications
17 Recycle – Reuse Once you are done with the handbook, please turn it back in, we will update and reissue.
Thanks from BHRA
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