Rowing for First-Timers
What is the difference between sweeping and sculling?
Sweep rowing is when each rower in a boat has only one oar, held with both hands. Sweeping is the style of rowing used in eights, fours, and pairs. Sculling is when each rower has two smaller oars in both of their hands, and is typically a style seen in small boats such as singles, doubles, and quads.
Do I need to be tall and fit to join?
Nope! We never want new rowers to be discouraged to join the sport on the basis of their height or level of athleticism. Strength, technique, and power all come with practice and training!
What is a novice rower?
Novices are first-year rowers.
What is an erg?
Rowing on the ergometer (“erg”) is the most fundamental method of training for a rower. Made of a slide, flywheel, screen, and handle, an erg is the closest thing a rower has to mimicking a workout on the water, all while remaining indoors. Erging and erg tests are how rowers track their strength and progress.
What do port, starboard, bow, and stern mean?
When facing the front, or “bow” of a boat, “port” represents the left side of the boat’s orientation and “starboard”, respectively, represents the right. The back of the boat is the “stern”. Because rowers only hold one oar while sweeping, they have an assigned “side”, port or starboard, also known as their position. Because rowers are seated facing the coxswain with their backs to the bow, a rower must learn that their position is the opposite of the front-facing orientations of left and right (a port rower, for example, will have an oar facing the right instead of the left).
How should I dress to go rowing?
Avoid wearing loose clothing to row in, such as basketball shorts or long t-shirts. Spandex or leggings and a bright-colored top that allows for arm mobility are ideal in the sport of rowing.
How quick will I pick up on all the rowing terminology?
Very, very quick!
Is learning to row difficult?
Learning to row is a long, continuous process that requires patience, training, and tons of practice… which is why we do tons of training and practice!
What is the difference between head racing and sprint racing?
Head races are fall rowing competitions, while sprint races are spring events. In head racing, boats compete against the clock on a 5km course with staggered starts. In head races, coxswains must steer around other boats, or yield to a passing boat, in order to avoid penalties. Sprint racing occurs on a short, 2km course, where upwards of 6-8 boats are lined up next to one another to race at the same time.
What are erg tests?
Erg tests are periodically held throughout the year in both the racing and winter seasons to track how effectively a rower is improving. The distance of erg tests typically correspond with their racing season, for example, an erg test in the fall will likely be 5km, and 2km in the winter and spring. They are commonly competitive between teammates, as erg tests also aid coaches in keeping track of which rower belongs where in a boat.
What are the different boat sizes?
In sweeping, the main three boat sizes are eights, fours, and pairs. As the name suggests, eights hold eight rowers (and a coxswain), fours hold four, and pairs hold two. In sculling, the main three boat sizes are quads, doubles, and singles (four, two, and one rower in each, respectively).
Coxswains
What is a coxswain?
In rowing, the coxswain sits facing forward in a boat and steers the boat using hand cables while verbally directing the rowers to maintain connection and rhythm in a piece. Additionally, the coxswain is responsible for directing the boat while it is being carried off the water.
What equipment does a coxswain use?
A coxswain uses a cox box, which gives them the ability to view the stroke rating of the boat, as well as utilize a stopwatch feature to time certain pieces. Attached to the cox box is a microphone that amplifies the coxswain's voice to the rowers in the boat via speakers.
What does a coxswain typically look like?
It is an advantage for a coxswain to be lighter in weight in comparison to rowers and relatively small to allow them to fit comfortably into the small seats where a coxswain sits.
Should I be a rower or a coxswain?
If you are small, attentive, and enjoy raising your voice, then you may just be the perfect coxswain! If you are interested in joining our program, but are unsure of which position fits you best, feel free to try them both out or have a chat with our coaches.
Our Program
I’m interested in joining your program! Where do I start?
Thank you for your interest! If you are an incoming freshman, please fill out this questionnaire so our Recruitment Chair can reach out to you and answer any questions you may have. If you are a current UVM student, we have a separate questionnaire for you that will put you directly in contact with our head coach, Francis Stripp. We also table at club fairs and freshman events where you can sign up in person and chat with some of our friendly rowers!
Who are the coaches?
Read all about our coaches here!
What does the student board of officers do?
The student board of officers are a team-elected bunch that all individually manage a different area of our team. Elections for these roles are held during the spring season every year. Read about the current board members and their positions on our team Board page!
Do the men’s and women’s teams practice and compete separately?
Both our men’s and women’s teams, though not in the same boats, practice together under the same head coach. The two teams may be separated some days in the winter season in the interest of time and erg room space.
What size boats does the team typically practice and compete in?
Typically, the boats we practice and compete in are 8s, 4s, and sometimes small boats.
How do you practice in the winter?
Our team moves indoors at the beginning of November and remains on land into early March. Our practices in the winter are a fun variety, between erg workouts, runs, stadiums, yoga, basketball, indoor biking, and track workouts.
How big is the team?
Our team has around 60 varsity members.
What fun team events can I look forward to?
Team bonding is very important to our program. Throughout the year, you can expect fun team practices run by our presidents, pasta dinners, fundraising events, Rent-A-Rower days, team hikes, ultimate frisbee tournaments, and more!
What is Rent-A-Rower?
Rent-A-Rower is one of the many ways our team gets funding, and is our way of connecting to friends and alumni in the Burlington area. Clients seeking help with yardwork, moving, leaf-raking, or gardening will reach out to our Rent-A-Rower coordinator, and then a small group of rowers will get assigned a day and location. For more information, check out our RAR page!
Locations and Travel
Where does the team practice?
Our boathouse is located 20 minutes up i-89 at the Lamoille River in Milton, VT. The address is 384 West Milton Road, Milton, VT.
Where does the team race?
Vermont Rowing primarily competes regionally against other colleges in the Northeast. However, we also compete at larger regattas such as New England Rowing Championships in Worcester MA, Dad Vails in Philadelphia PA, Head of the Charles in Boston, MA, and ACRA Nationals in Gainesville GA.
How does the team get to practice?
For afternoon novice practices, a school bus will be outside the gym for a 5:00PM departure. For morning practices, on campus folks meet in front of the gym at 5:25AM for a van departure at 5:30AM. Off campus students will carpool in their own vehicles. Learn more about getting van certified by contacting our Transportation coordinator Megan Boswell.
What is the spring break training trip?
Every spring break, our team takes a trip down south to get a good, hard week of rowing in. Previous spring break locations have been Lake Lure NC, Lake Lanier GA, and Smith Mountain Lake VA.
Where does the team practice in the winter?
Our team erg space is located in the theater at Mann Hall on Trinity Campus. We also use on-campus facilities such as the Gucciardi Fitness Center and indoor track where we do land workouts on our own time.
See our team facilities page for more information!
Commitment
What times are practices?
For fall novice practices, the bus leaves for the boathouse at 5:00PM. For morning practices, vans depart from the gym at 5:30AM.
Is joining the team a big commitment?
We do not ask our novices to commit to our team until several months into the fall after they have fallen into the rhythm of the practice schedule and learning to row. Once committed, rowers and coxswains can expect to attend workouts and carry out responsibilities throughout the week and on Saturdays.
Do rowers take the winter season off?
Absolutely not! Most of our training can be credited to workouts on land, such as erging, lifting, and cross training. Erg tests will be held periodically throughout the winter to track a rowers personal progress and help our coaches create the fastest lineups possible for our spring season.
Is the spring break training trip mandatory?
The spring break trip is not mandatory, however, it is encouraged, especially for novices!
Do rowers make it back to campus in time to make their morning classes?
Yes! Coaches will keep track of rowers that have 8am/8:30am classes and will always ensure there is a ride available to get them back to campus on time to make it. If you do have an early class, we strongly suggest bringing your backpack and a snack with you to practice!
I’m a novice rower, and I won’t be able to make it to some afternoon practices. Can I still join the team?
Of course! We do not expect any rower, novice or varsity, to adjust their schedule around practice times.