rizzledrizzle

And on the topic of ergs, it's a basic motion of body-legs-arms. And then arms-legs-body. Go on YouTube and type in "Rowing machine technique" or "Rowing motion." It's basic once you have the proper technique. Although, everyone mainly focuses on the rowers more so than the coxswains, which is what I am.

classicalmama

Rizzle: Exeter does have club crew in the fall, and lots of the varsity rowers prepare for the spring season there. It's not as rigorous as year-round competitive crew, of course. Cross-training does have its benefits in the winter season, and varsity rowers at Exeter get recruited every year to Ivies. That said, crew on the West Coast is a whole different ball game, and I think lots of the Exeter rowers would love to have a competitive fall rowing season, to have the chance to row competitively in 4's and pairs.

rizzledrizzle

Ah, I see. We learn something new everyday! West coast and east coast rowing is also different in the sense that we have mainly on eight's over here, while they have more four's over there. I do know they had an eight in 2008 at USRowing Junior National's. Can you give any insight on whether they prefer coxswains or rowers?

rizzledrizzle

And to my previous post, I got something mixed up. It goes arms-body-legs, and then legs-body-arms. Sorry for anyone I confused.

strangeusername

I don't know who has the best crew team because that will probably depend on the student body of each particular year. But I would guess that Saint Andrew's School, Delaware (SAS), probably has among the finest facilities, equipment and program, given that the school sits on it's own 2.5 mile lake, with it's facilities right on the water, steps from the dorms. The campus itself sits on 2,200 acres. Crew is probably the most active sport program of the school with almost 50% of the students participating. Schools from miles around come to SAS to compete, And SAS occasionally competes in the Royal Regatta in the UK. Here they are defeating Eaton College: SAS vs ETON - YouTube

GolfFather

It's not quite as "basic" as one might think at first glance.

There's really a lot going on there ... for the good rowers anyway.

Yogadog

It's actually "legs, core, arms", with 60% of the power derived from the legs, 20% from core and 20% from arms. The return is characterized in reverse "arms, core, legs".

2prepMom

For women's crew, Exeter has a strong program recently (crew fall and sring) and their coach was just voted best junior coach at Nationals; they also won the Henley women's regatta in England.

SevenDad

@strangeusername: I think it's more like 30% (100 rowers out of about 300 kids)...but still very high percentage of kids in crew program. The facilities and equipment are great...and as you note, the boathouse is right on campus, steps from dorms, classroom buildings, etc. — no bus needed. Great spectating area for SAS fans, and I hear the visitors area across the way is good too.

I think SAS has enough space in their program to pretty much have a seat for anyone who wants to row/people who have never rowed before...you might be in a thirds boat, but I don't think there are "cuts" per se. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

MomThree

@SevenDad - my daughter was encouraged by the girls NOT to do any kind of summer rowing program so as to not miss out on the "new-to-crew-bonding" that takes place.

We got the impression that getting cut wasn't an issue.

friendlymom

My daughter started crew at SPS this year and she loves it. One of the great things about the sport is that relatively few kids come in at the HS level with previous experience, so there's more opportunity to compete if you've never done it before.

SPS has terrific facilities, including a beautiful new boathouse, and the erg room in the gym has a gorgeous mural painted by one of the art teachers. On the downside, there's no fall crew, and the ice sometimes stays on the pond long into spring term. The newer rowers have only been on the water for about 2 weeks so far this year because of the ice.

Sue22

Momofthree-

Not sure if the advice you received is specific to your child's school but mine was happy she tried out crew before her first season.

I should put in a good word for the Brooks program as well. It's a small school but has produced a number of nation team and Olympic rowers. Alums are currently rowing for a variety of Ivy/Div. 1 and NESCAC schools. The school is right on a lake and they not only have plenty of ergs but two full sized indoor rowing tanks.

Brooks School - A college preparatory boarding and day school for grades 9-12

PhotographerMom

I saw Brooks race recently- they looked great out there! In crazy conditions, too!!


On another note- I think NEIRA is going to be very exciting this year. A lot of teams/ boats look very strong this year!

swimdude006

Last year, Andover's B1, B2, and B3 swept NEIRAs, and has been one of the top programs in the nation for a couple of years. Two years ago, Andover's B1 placed second at youth nationals for crew. We just had our boathouse renovated and I will say that it is VERY nice. The coaches here are legendary, and the program is top notch. Like most schools, Andover offers Fall crew and Winter crew (though winter crew only consists of erging) as sports for those wanting to try the sport out or who want to stay in shape for the competitive spring season.