Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need any rowing experience to join the team?
Absolutely not! Most of the women on our team have no prior rowing experience when they join. New girls are always welcome -- we are simply looking for hard working, driven girls who want to be a part of history!
Where does the crew team practice?
The team practices at Stroud's Run State Park, (pictured below) located in Athens, during the fall and spring seasons. Strouds is located about ten minutes from campus, and is also host to the MACRA regatta, which is held in the spring.
How can I join?
Simply email Caitlin Steinert, and tell her you'd love to be a member!
When is your peak season?
The crew team technically has two seasons. Our main season, the spring, involves sprints, which are regattas no more than 2000 meters. In the spring, we travel and participate in about six regattas. Fall is the "lighter" of the two seasons, and is reserved for long distance races. The varsity boat typically participates in three regattas, while the novice participate in one. Although slightly shorter, the season is just as important as spring is. The winter is used for strength and conditioning to prepare us for the upcoming spring season.
When do you practice?
Practice times change every quarter based on everyone's schedules. Typically, we practice in the morning or in the early evening. When we're on the water, practices mostly require a 5:15am wake up. It sounds horrible, but we promise, it's not!
What costs are involved?
There are dues every quarter (fall - $65, winter - $45, and spring $65) and since we are a club, we have to pay for our own Regatta fees. (It costs money to enter races, but the more people that join the team, the less you have to pay for transportation and lodging. Regatta fees can range from one to fifteen dollars.) Your first year of rowing can be a little on the expensive side with unis, (our hot spandex outfits) jackets, and other apparel. It seems very overwhelming, but we do fundraise throughout the year to help reduce the cost of things. Although we race against Division I schools, we are still a club team -- meaning almost everything is in the hands of the rowers themselves.
What are the regattas like?
The races have separate divisions---Men's (M), Women's (W), heavyweight (HWT) or open, lightweight (LWT) etc. They are then divided up into 8+'s, 4+'s, 1x's, 2x's and so on. There are separate heavyweight and lightweight divisions that require a weigh-in for the lightweights some time before the start of the regatta. There are also divisons according to experience (novice, varsity), age (junior and masters), and skill level (senior A, B, Elite, etc.) Our team only rows in 8's and 4's.
Is it fun?
If you ask anyone on the team if crew is fun, the answer will be YES! Being on the water is incredible, and the ties you make to your teammates are bonds that cannot be broken. We'll be your second family at your home away from home. It is truly the experience of a lifetime, and we pride ourselves in being one of the best things at OU!
