How can a kid take up rowing if the local high schools don't have rowing programs?

Athletic Recruits
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<p>My son has a friend who goes to prep school and has taken up rowing. S thinks he might be interested in rowing, but there is no rowing in high schools in our state. Any ideas on how can he try it and train for it?</p>

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<p>Either join a local rowing club or buy a scull and row that way.</p>

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<p>Most local public HS don’t have rowing or crew…</p>

<p>If you google your state and rowing clubs for HS students, it should come up with boathouses and clubs for you to explore…</p>

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<p>As others have posted, and as the thread below illustrates, one can join a local club:</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/athletic-recruits/1286109-starting-crew-junior-year.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/athletic-recruits/1286109-starting-crew-junior-year.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>As a matter of fact many HS rowers join clubs in addition to rowing in high school so that they can row during additional parts of the year.</p>

<p>Also, I hate to ask or state the obvious but there is one very critical element necessary in order to row … water. I am not trying to be sarcastic, - there must either be a lake or river big enough near where you live in order to row.</p>

<p>If there is no trainable water nearby the alternative would be to either purchase an ERG machine or join a sports/health club that has one.</p>

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<p>Technically, one would buy a shell, not a “scull.”</p>

<p>What makes a scull boat versus a sweep boat is just (for the most part) the rigging.</p>

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<p>What about a Concept2 rower?</p>

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<p>I already mentioned that earlier in the day: “… the alternative would be to either purchase an ERG machine or join a sports/health club that has one.”</p>

<p>An “ERG” is an indoor rowing machine:</p>

<p>[Indoor</a> rower - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indoor_rower]Indoor”>Indoor rower - Wikipedia)</p>

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<p>Thanks, GolfFather.</p>

<p>Is there any one machine that is better than the others?</p>

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<p>concept2 is the only way to go</p>

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<p>Correct. With this bit of added info:</p>

<p>There are two basic models, D and E. New ones cost about $900 and $1300.</p>

<p>Besides the “machine” part of the rowing machine, the other important part is the little computer/display unit called the Performance Monitor, which also comes in different versions.</p>

<p>Doesn’t matter if buying new but you can also find used ERGs on Craigslist or eBay.</p>

<p>Also, regional ERG competitions (Sprints) sell the ERGS for a little less after the Sprints end.</p>

<p>More information about Concept2 ERGs here:</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.concept2.com/indoor-rowers/compare[/url]”>http://www.concept2.com/indoor-rowers/compare&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Hope that helps.</p>

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<p>Thanks again.</p>

<p>On the erg, is there a particular program that recruited athletes are tested on? What scores/times do they usually receive?</p>

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<p>Not exactly sure what you mean by “program.”
The distances used that are the most common measuring sticks are 2K and 6K times.</p>

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<p>Unfortunately I’m more familar with the female side of things so I’ll let others chime in here.
But there are several threads about this in the Athletic Recruits area.
And a quick Google search will reveal lots of info.</p>

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<p>The erg times differ substantially for lightweight and heavyweight male rowers. How much does your son weight?</p>

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<p>OP - does your son actually want to try rowing to see if he likes the sport, or do you/he think that rowing is a great way to be recruited to college?<br>
If the former, then an ERG machine will do nothing for that appreciation, if the later, then he’s better off doing a very heavy duty regimen of running/cross training for the first year or so.</p>

<p>Oh just realized this is a month old… sorry</p>

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<p>@mhmm - Still interested in hearing comments.S’s friend told him it’s great and S saw it in the Facebook movie and thinks it might be interesting. I want to support his interest because he’s interested and because it might help in college.</p>

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<p>The O/P (myluckydog) posted: "S thinks he might be interested in rowing. Any ideas on how can he try it and train for it?" </p>

<p>The O/P stated both “try it” and “train” for it.</p>

<p>Trying means being on a boat, as was discussed above.
“Training” mostly means on an ERG, which was also discussed above.
Yes, running, weight lifting and other activities are also part of proper training.</p>

<p>Whether the O/P thinks it will help with college or not is none of our business and doesn’t matter. The O/P’s son may think it helps with dating or may help make friends or may help get out in the fresh air. There are lots of reasons why people may want to row.</p>

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<p>I think just as long as the answer to the question “Why did you take up rowing” is something OTHER than “I wanted to get into a good college.”</p>

<p>That’s a buzz kill for anyone.</p>

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<p>@imafan- haha, you think ;)?
And the op clearly said that its for both to try something new AND to help with college admission.
@GolfFather -While winter training is certainly on an erg, most reputable coaches will tell you that being on water, running, weight lifting cant be beat.
In terms of OPs question of trying and training - I would posit that before you train, you must TRY. And before trying OP is finding out what type of an erg is best.<br>
In terms of your statemnt of " is none of our business and doesn’t matter. The O/P’s son may think it helps wi…" Well actually if we know the answer we may give a better, more detailed answer. In any case, you may not care, but I am curious.</p>

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<p>Well, I don’t know what your definion of “reputable coach” is, but one coach I’ve spoken to, his team has won the NCAA championship three years in a row.</p>

<p>That sounds pretty “reputable” to me. ;)</p>

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<p>My college (George Washington, Division 1) had tryouts a few weeks ago for walk-ons who had never tried the sport, and I made the team and have been learning how to row through that. The six of us who made it spend the fall learning the stroke and stuff, somewhat with the rest of the team but still pretty separated in our own boat and all, and then we jump in with everyone else for winter training. It’s definitely possible, most colleges do hold tryouts for novices like I went through.</p>

<p>As for times, the boys I know have to get an average split of under 1:50 for a 6k.</p>