Note on Winter Training
We do not accept or train new rowers during our winter training months. It is set up for experienced rowers, and is designed to meet their specific needs given their current rowing experience. We unfortunately do no have the time and resources necessary to sufficiently and successfully work with inexperienced rowers unfamiliar with the sport or the team ethos.
NEW SPRING TRYOUT REQUIREMENTS
As of the Fall 18-Spring 19 season, we will only allow individuals with previous rowing experience to try out in Spring. Previous experience would be defined as rowing with Washtenaw Rowing Center in their middle school or learn to row programs, with Ann Arbor Rowing Club in their learn to row program, or having rowed with another high school program competitively. Participation in our Trial Row alone is not considered sufficient experience to gain proficiency, as it is not designed with that goal in mind, but rather as demonstration of what the sport will be like.
As always, in the fall we accept all rowers regardless of experience with not real tryout procedures, other than the basic fitness requirements listed below. We consider the sport to be a year long arc, focusing on technical training in the fall, strength conditioning in the winter, and competitive speed in spring. The length of the learning curve to attain competitive proficiency exceeds what we feel we can provide in the early weeks of spring.
Spring Tryout Procedures
Tryouts for prospective new rowers will be held the first two weeks of practice, beginning Monday of the second full week of March. Participants will be coached, observed and tested during the first two weeks of the spring season according to the Spring Standards and subjective criteria listed below, and will be given a 1.5K erg test at some point within that time frame. All rowers, new and returning, must meet or better the these standards for participation consideration. In the event of scores close to but exceeding the standards, rowers may be granted participation at their coach’s discretion if the subjective criteria warrant.
Pre-conditioning/Training for spring tryouts will begin in mid-February, and will run each subsequent Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday until the start of the season on March 12. Training will be held 4-4:50 in the PHS C-Hall Annex.
The first week of tryouts will be held in PHS, the second will be at the boathouse in Bandemer Park.
Roster of eligible rowers will be posted at the end the second week.
Athletic Participation Fees will be refunded if one does not make the team.
Spring Tryout/Minimum Performance Standards
Incoming athletes should be able to perform the following exercises within the given parameters:
Minimum of 30 proper form sit-ups in 1 minute
Minimum of 20 proper form jumpies (squat jumps) in 1 minute
1 mile run in 10:00 for girls, 8:30 for boys.
Note: These exercises may or may not be tested during tryout week, but a prospective rower’s ability to perform them will be a good indication of their ability to handle the team workload.
Returning and incoming athletes will be tested on the following:
Maximum 2k Erg score (split time)
- Varsity/JV Men: 1:55.0
- Varsity/JV Women: 2:12.0
- Returning/New Novice Men: 2:02.5
- Returning/New Novice Women: 2:18.5
Maximum 2 x 1k Erg score (split time average)
- Prospective Novice (rate cap 24) Men: 2:07.0 Women: 2:22.0
Other Determining (Subjective) Factors – as determined by coaching staff
- Technical Proficiency – Rowers must be able to row with correct technique
- Physical Ability – Rowers should possess the athleticism necessary to row properly. This will include sufficient core strength, bodily awareness, and aerobic capacity.
- Consistency of Effort – Rowers should have a positive mental attitude along with a willingness to learn and demonstrate improvement over time. Successful rowers will be enthusiastic and open to the strenuous workload.
- Positive Team Impact – Rowers should at all times be supportive and encouraging to their teammates. Negative attitudes and comments are as lethal to boat speed as poor physical execution.
If One Does Not Make The Team
Rowing is considered a year long sport, with training in the fall and winter leading to championship racing in the spring. Spring Tryouts are being implemented to insure proper team speed and coaching/resource efficacy during the busy spring racing season. Those who do not make the team but who wish to row will be encouraged to join the following Fall, when all are accepted and no tryouts will be held. Prospective rowers may also join a summer rowing program to improve their abilities prior to the next season.
Please contact Head Coach Scott Menoch, email hidden; JavaScript is required with any questions.
