In shape, looking to get on the water in Boston come summer

[Nordic_row]

Howdy-

I'm a former Nordic skier, runner, and road biker. I don't have the body (too much upper body muscle mass) for being really competitive in running or road biking, and don't have access to enough snow for serious xc skiing. So I started erging and enjoy it, since it seems to compliment my body and muscle type (tall, lean but muscular, aerobic). I'll be getting to Boston in June and am aiming to be sub-6:20 (edit, was 5:20) for a 2k time (my pr is 6:36 (edit, was 5:36), with relatively little erging training). So I'll have the fitness part down, but I need to learn to row. I REALLY want to race.

My questions are for the Boston folks. Where would you recommend looking at? Should I do a "learn to row" class for absolute newbies without the fitness(if so, where?), or is there some sort of racing oriented novices thing? Might club teams take a promising guy for their "B" boat? Are there other options that I'm not thinking about?

Thanks[/u]

[pmacaula]

NR - welcome to the little world of rowing & erging.

...am aiming to be sub-5:20 for a 2k time (my pr is 5:36, with relatively little erging training).

If that 2K time is not a typo, either you have something wrong with your erg monitor/erg (is it a C2 ?) or you will be getting recruiting calls from the US Olympic team shortly. The 2K WR, held by former Olympic champion Rob Waddell is 5:36.6 - http://www.concept2.com/us/racing/recor ... ecords.asp

Should I do a "learn to row" class for absolute newbies ...

Am not a Boston guy, so can't comment on specifics of the Boston rowing scene, but a regular "learn to row' program is likely the best option. Everyone who tries rowing for the first time should focus on technique, not pulling hard. Speed comes with good technique. Your level of fitness will help you keep the speed through the end of the race.

An option you might consider is a weekend at a rowing camp. There are a few listed on Row2K. http://www.row2k.com/camps/
I have heard a lot of good things about the Craftsbury Sculling Center, who have weekend (& longer) intro programs http://www.craftsbury.com/sculling/camps/home.htm & are well set up to coach at whatever level suits you.

Also good odds the people at one of the camps in New England could give you a good view to the ins and outs of the Boston rowing scene.

Cheers. Patrick.

[Bob S.]

Howdy-

I'm a former Nordic skier, runner, and road biker. I don't have the body (too much upper body muscle mass) for being really competitive in running or road biking, and don't have access to enough snow for serious xc skiing. So I started erging and enjoy it, since it seems to compliment my body and muscle type (tall, lean but muscular, aerobic). I'll be getting to Boston in June and am aiming to be sub-5:20 for a 2k time (my pr is 5:36, with relatively little erging training). So I'll have the fitness part down, but I need to learn to row. I REALLY want to race.

My questions are for the Boston folks. Where would you recommend looking at? Should I do a "learn to row" class for absolute newbies without the fitness(if so, where?), or is there some sort of racing oriented novices thing? Might club teams take a promising guy for their "B" boat? Are there other options that I'm not thinking about?

Thanks!

Since the world record listed in the rankings is 5:36.6, your 5:36 is pretty impressive. When you do your 5:20, you will have to do it in a recognized race to make it count as the new world's record.

Bob S.

[Nordic_row]

[... aiming to be sub-5:20 for a 2k time (my pr is 5:36...]

Oops. That would be me glancing at my log wrong. 6:36 is my PR, sub 6:20 is my goal.

[Bob S.]

[... aiming to be sub-5:20 for a 2k time (my pr is 5:36...]

Oops. That would be me glancing at my log wrong. 6:36 is my PR, sub 6:20 is my goal.

Whew! I am glad you corrected that. I was afraid that we were in for another dustup like we have had a few times in the past.

Good time however and, since you are new at it, you are very likely to make solid improvements this early in the game. Good luck on it.

Bob S.

[throughthepin]

Lots of learn to row weeks at all the clubs if you want to sweep.

If you want to scull, go to craftsbury for a week in vermont to their sculling center. best way to learn.

[bloomp]

CRI on the 90 as you head west outta boston would be great. They offer a ton of programs and would be easier to get to than a camp up in Vermont (Craftsbury). I wish I could have come into the sport with a time like that, that's competitive for national team level - so stick with the sport and you could be going places.