Rowing Chat

Just got back from an absolutely amazing two week rowing tour in America. Rowed with Thomas Jefferson high School in Washington, Cincinatti Jnrs (My coach started that club up years ago) and then Gonzaga high school in washington. Great trip, traded some nice kit.

Got me a Potomac all-in-one! usnationalsclubwhat?

Envious.

Haha, what more could you ask for? 13 days of two sessions per day training, with lots of food, sun and friends! I feel a lot stronger too, I went to do a 2k one of the nights at like 9pm, when i'd eaten badly and had little sleep and had done 2 2ks the day before in the boat, and was on for a PB until the last 400m. I was't even that tired but for some reason stopped :/ Was on for 6:53!

Also, Potomac lycra is sick.

Hi there,

I'm very interested in taking up rowing at university and was wondering if anyone could give me an insight into the training they do in a typical week? Thanks in advance : )

So who's going to BUCS

Me. What are you entering as?

Doing an 8,4,2. So a long weekend...

You just doing the 8? Saw your heat. Should be a good one!

Hi there,

I'm very interested in taking up rowing at university and was wondering if anyone could give me an insight into the training they do in a typical week? Thanks in advance : )

Just wondering what an average 2k time would be for a first year... for 8 generally, for a uni with a decent rowing rep.

Are we talking about a first year novice or someone competitive for a crew?

I'd want to be in a competitive crew, cheers.

It will, to some extent, depend on the university you go to, but as a rough guide, here goes. Firstly, it will taper up through the year, as you get closer to head races and then regattas.

Before Christmas, you're looking at water training 2-3 times a week (normally weds afternoons, sat and/or sun), circuit training (1 hr) twice a week, and some stuff alone in the gym / general cardio (running / cycling, which can be integrated into your trips to the boathouse) a few times a week.

That will taper up, and by the time you get to regatta season (summer), you can find yourself on the water up to 6-7 times a week (some days will have two outings). However, these extra outings usually take place before uni (yep, you'll be back in time for a 9am) and sometimes after uni too. That's not to scare you - that intensity of training only really lasts between Easter and summer (8 weeks ish), and although it sounds moderately brutal now, it's not that bad once you get there!

You'll also travel away several times a year for races, and you may have a foreign training camp at Easter (non-compulsory, and France seems to be quite a popular destination)

It's entirely possible to manage balancing a degree and rowing, if you're good at time management, but I don't know many people who manage that and another sport! Best thing to do is to go along and have a chat to the people from the boat club at freshers fair, and they'll be able to give you a fair idea.

I only rowed up till xmas because of injuries, but my typical week was:
Monday: Erging
Tuesday: Circuits
Wednesday: Water outing
Thursday: Core Circuits
Friday: Erging time piece
Weekend: Water outings

Where are you going to uni?

Thanks, that sounds good to me; what time are the water outings usually, as in when do you get up and when do you need to be there by? I get up at 5AM to run twice a week at the moment, so I thought the early starts of rowing would suit my sleep patterns well : )

I'm in lower sixth at the moment so I don't know where I'm going, but if I were to apply today it'd be Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle and Glasgow.

Water outings can start from 6.15am here (summer only), although you need to factor in time to get to the boathouse (half an hour or so).

Not that you should be choosing a uni based on rowing alone, but Newcastle is incredible for rowing. I believe they have an ex-GB coach.

I'd heard it's good for rowing actually, along with Durham, Bristol and obviously Oxbridge.

I'm not choosing it based solely on rowing (obviously!) but I did actually check that all the places I'm considering have boat clubs