Regatta… What comes to mind when you hear that word? I have asked many people, and they say, “Hmm I don’t know, but it sounds like a cheese!” If you think that, I am here to help and inform you! A regatta is a race for the sport crew. Crew is a team sport composed of individuals who come together to form a totally in sync team that moves the boat! There is so much more to rowing than any viewer could see or understand. There are either 2, 4 or 8 people on a boat, and a coxswain who steers the boat, motivates us, and calls out different commands to make the race as smooth as possible. The boat is composed of starboard rowers and port rowers, which are basically like left and right handed rowers that either have their oar on the left or right side. We have to focus on power, technique, and timing. Technique is especially important because without technique, you won’t have the power to move the boat. If one person is off, the whole boat is off, and it is important for rowers to focus on being a unit, not individuals. We like to focus on handle heights of the oar, blade work, and all the other little details that help us to be a strong and fast team. We work incredibly hard on our power as well. We spend time lowering our split, which is the time we row for 500 meters. Nothing’s better than the beloved 2K test! Although it is strenuous, it really helps us to become a stronger crew.
This sport is completely different from anything else and really helps athletes both physically and mentally. I have become better at focusing as well as someone who is completely motivated and determined to push myself further. Come and join the crew team in the fall and spring seasons for fun bonding and hard work. We also have many regattas this spring. Our last regatta is Saturday, May 10th at St. Andrews! Come support our team and the seniors at our last race! I am glad you now know the 411 on crew! “Glory is in the team not the individual.” – Sean Sullivan. Hope to see you next fall!!
