Frequently Asked Questions
What are the practice times?
Juniors practice Monday-Friday from 4:30pm-6:30pm and Saturday from 8:00am-10:00am. Summer season practices are Monday-Friday from 7:00am-9:00am.
Masters practice Monday-Friday from 6:00pm-8:00pm (typically Tuesdays and Thursdays) and Saturday from 8:00am-10:00am.
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What do I need to wear?
Basic athletic clothing is appropriate for rowing. Don't wear anything too loose as the extra material can get caught in the seat runners as you are rowing.
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Why row?
Because rowing will not lie to you. It will return to you the results that are equal to the work you put into the sport.
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What types of rowing are available at ARC?
We have both Sweep (single oar) and Sculling (two oar). Normally you will start out in an 8-person sweep boat, but our goal is to get everyone proficient to where they can confidently take out a single by themselves and enjoy rowing. At that point you can row in any boat that may be available.
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What do I need to bring to practice each day?
Yourself and a good attitude. You may also want to bring a hat, a water bottle as well as sunscreen and bug repellent.
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Do I have to know how to swim?
While you don't need to be an expert swimmer, understand that rowing is an activity that takes place on the water and you need to have basic swimming skills in case you were to go in the water.
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Do I have to buy any equipment?
All the required equipment is provided by the club. Eventually, if you choose to race with the team you will need to purchase the team racing uniform.
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What is the cost for the (Junior/Masters) program?
Juniors program cost $375 per season or $750 for the year (pay for 2 seasons and get the 3rd free).
Adult membership has several options and is generally $360 - $720 per year pending the amount of time spent volunteering at home regattas (our chief fundraisers). See Membership Information for more information.
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What is the payment used for?
The membership payment covers the cost of running the club; including building/maintenance fees, equipment maintenance, coaching salaries, insurance, and other various day to day costs of running the club.
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Do we need to pay any additional regatta fees?
Yes, regatta fees are calculated based on the cost of regatta entry fees, hotel fees, and gas/equipment costs. Each regatta is totaled and then divided among the participants.
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Are scholarships available?
We have a “work study” type of scholarship available to juniors who love rowing and will help the club grow but does not have the financial means to join. These persons will spend extra time around the club throughout the year helping to keep things clean and in good repair. We won’t turn away hard-working rowers because they cannot afford the fees.
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What is the difference between the fall, spring, and summer sessions?
Fall and Spring seasons are similar as we train and prepare for regattas during these seasons. Summer season switches to morning practices (to avoid some of the heat) and are more about conditioning and building strength and skills for the Fall and Spring seasons. Evening practices also continue during the summer for adult rowers. Summer seasons might have several collegiate rowers in the boathouse training for national championships. Our Junior team also has the chance to compete at club nationals during the summer season.
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What is meant by “testing”? How are the results used?
Testing is similar to time trials. You will set a “best” time over 3 different distances on the Erg (rowing machine): 5000 m (5k), 2000 m (2k), and 500 m. Masters use 6000 m instead of 5000 m. These results are used to structure workouts and set your pace for those workouts. They are also used as benchmarks so you can see improvement throughout the season.
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What governs where I sit in the boat?
Seat position is always determined by the Coach. Many things are taken into consideration, including strength and timing, to get that magical mixture that makes the boat fast.
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What about lightweights?
There are two general weight divisions in rowing, light and heavy. Lightweight women are 130 lbs. or less. Lightweight men are 160 lbs. or less. Juniors and 18 and under have a cutoff of 150 lbs. for men.
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If I want to be a coxswain, do I have to row too?
No. Coxswains have a full schedule of things to do helping to run practices. If a coxswain wishes to row in order to maintain their fitness, they may do so, or they may ride with the coach on days they are not in the coxswain’s seat.
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P.S. ...What is a coxswain?
It is the person who is in charge of the boat. Typically, the coxswain is smaller in stature and weight (so as not to weigh down the boat) and big on personality and command and control. They do NOT yell “Stroke! Stroke! Stroke!", but they do command the rowers much like a jockey commands a racehorse. The coxswain really acts like an extension of the coach in the boat and has many responsibilities. First, their job is the safety of the rowers and steering a safe course down the river. Second, they manage the crew and run practice that has been outlined for them by the coach. Third, they are a cheerleader and motivator, working to get the best out of the rowers and the most from the boat.
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What happens during practices?
Practices start with warmups and ab exercises, then oars and boats are taken out and the main bulk of the practice happens on the water. After rowing, all equipment is brought back up to the boat house, cleaned, and put away.
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Are practices mandatory?
While it is not mandatory to attend practice every day of the week, the more you are at practice the better you will perform. And at least some level of commitment is required to participate in regattas; details can be discussed with the coach.
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What about being late to practice or leaving early?
While we understand tight schedules, with being out on the water, it is difficult for members to show up late or leave early from practice. Occasional exceptions can be made...Daily exceptions will not work.
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RACING & REGATTAS
Who races?
All members in good standing with the club are eligible to race.
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Is there a penalty if I don’t go to a regatta?
Your level of participation is determined by you. Some people love to compete and want to attend every regatta, and some are here for fitness and enjoyment and never compete.
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What is the regatta schedule?
There are 3 regatta seasons, Spring, Summer, and Fall. During the Fall we participate in Head races (5k races against the clock), and in the Spring/Summer regattas, we have 1k or 2k races in straightaway lanes against other boats.
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JUNIORS
How many athletes are in the Junior program?
We have room to accommodate and would love to have a team of 60+ boys and 60+ girls. Currently we are at about 10% of that number.
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What schools do rowers come from?
Rowers come from many local schools and homeschool. At one time or another there has been an athlete from every high school within 20 miles of downtown.
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Are there carpools?
There have been many, but they are generally arranged by the families traveling from similar areas. There are no official ARC carpools.
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Can athletes row just in the Fall or Spring?
We understand and encourage athletes to participate in other sports and activities and welcome them to the team and the boathouse for whichever seasons they are able to participate in.
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What is the role of parents?
This could be an entire book. Parents serve multiple roles within our program and generally are pulled into service by the coach over time as the coach learns the parents' particular areas of interest. For example, some parents love to work the grill at the team tent at races. Other parents are great at organizing the food being purchased by the team and/or donated by families. Some parents love organization and do the hotel booking season by season, etc., etc.
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