Should really bad rowers talk to coaches?

elileo
Fri, 19 Oct 2012 22:25:19 +0000

Pogies at 5’4’’ and 50 kg (110 lbs. or thereabouts?), you’re a lightweight and a small one at that. I mention your size because 5’4" is about as small as you can be to row competitively on a lightweight college team… and that’s with a great erg score. As a lightweight, your 2k should be nearer 7:45 and under to be recruited. This year, the recruit class has many girls with superlative academics and erg scores in the 7:30’s (even under). Every year is different, but it’s becoming more competitive.

I know some kids with ergs btw. 7:50 up to 8:00 who did get meets with lightweight coaches, but that was it; they weren’t actively pursued. And the openweight coaches? They really aren’t very interested in the shortest rowers (I speak from the perspective of a parent whose daughter is also 5’4". A lot of ow coaches met with her, but truly interested? No. Their slots are generally reserved for the taller girls).

This is not to say that you shouldn’t contact coaches and see if they respond. It can’t hurt. It’s also not to say that you don’t have options. One of them is to work on your erg: you might be able to make a lot of progress by the fall of your senior year (not too late to be recruited). You can also set your sights on being a cox. Would that interest you? Lastly, you can walk on to a team once you’re in college. DD’s college currently has 2 8’s of lightweight walk ons, most of them freshmen. That’s the beauty of crew: college coaches are always looking for willing or potential rowers: they have boats to fill! And not a few freshman walk ons have become rowing powerhouses as upperclassmen.