Fall Season
The fall season is largely made up of training and conditioning in boats on the water to prepare your student for the spring row season. There is at least one regatta that takes place during the fall season and, to the discretion of the coaching staff, additional regattas may be scheduled. Scrimmage races are timed races in which boats start one at a time down a race course (they vary in distance). Boats start about every ten seconds, as opposed to sprint races, which are side-by-side racing where teams compete to cross the finish line first. In the fall we often attend the Grand Rapids Fall Classic Regatta at the Grand Rapids Boathouse. Students competed in scrimmages (timed races) to achieve medals.
Winter Training
Over the winter, the team works hard on technique and conditioning to build endurance and to be ready for a quick start in the spring racing season. The indoor season primarily consists of training on indoor rowing machines, called ergometers (ergs). The team trains by running, rowing on ergs and lifting weights. Nutrition classes are provided during the fall season to assure that our team continues to eat the proper food to fuel their bodies.
Spring Season
Spring is by far the busiest season for our JV and Varsity rowing team. With weekly trainings, several sprints races and many scrimmages some of which require travel out of town we keep our athletes busy. The season builds in anticipation of the Michigan High School State Championship in May. Throughout the season, students are measured on growth and ability and there will be a hand selected team of students that will attend. This decision is made solely by the coaching staff.
Commitment
Practice is the foundation of success in rowing and rowing is a unique sport in regards to practice. If just one member of a boat lineup does not attend practice, the other athletes in that boat may be unable to participate during training. Therefore, all athletes are expected to attend all scheduled practices throughout the week. The coaching staff understands that there may be legitimate conflicts that arise during the week and ask when at all possible, that athletes notify coaches no later than noon of a future absence. Greater than two absences from practice could result in a loss of an earned varsity letter.
Safety
When rowers train on the water, there is an available coach in a launch boat that will accompany them to assure their safety. The launches are equipped with safety gear and all coaches carry a cell phone. No rower is allowed on the water without the direct supervision of a coach.
Weather
We put your students’ safety first. Where practice is to take place on the water, all practices will continue in all weather conditions, except lightning, high winds or freezing rain. Practice may be transferred to the workout facility in the boathouse loft in the case of inclement weather. Cancellation of water practice is at the discretion of the coaches. Unless otherwise announced by coaches, athletes should report to the boathouse for practice in any weather. Notice of practice cancellation on school days will be made by an announcement at school and/or by email or text to the crew and parents.
When classes at Northview are canceled or early dismissal from school is made for weather related reasons, practice most likely will be canceled as well and will be communicated by the coaching staff.
Swimming Test
Basic swimming skills are required in the unlikely event a rower should go into the water. Prior to the beginning of the season, a swimming test is required for each rower. For safety reasons, if your student is unable to pass the swimming test, they will be unable to participate in rowing.
Typical Rower Race Day
Race day usually starts very early (around 7:00am). Rowers will gather at the boat trailer to unload, rig and meet with their coaches to prepare for the day. It is imperative to be on time to every regatta so information is not missed. During the coaches meeting, rowers will learn their race times, plans, etc. Many rowers will race several races throughout the day. Healthy food options will be provided throughout the day for everyone participating in a race. This is to assist with keeping energy up while they are racing. Towards the end of the regatta, the team will begin to de-rig the boats and load them onto the trailer. The parent volunteer tear-down crew will break down the tents and pack up the equipment trailer. There will be a final meeting that will take place after the award ceremony so that coaching staff can go over results and discuss any other items that are important.
Boat Lineups
Coaches spend weeks working on team rosters and boat lineup. Typically, the week prior to a regatta, the coaching staff will have heat races to qualify students to race and choose the best combination lineup that they feel will win. Coaches need to balance between trying to allow each athlete to race, and finding the fastest lineups to place. Additional factors weigh into this as well. The athlete’s attendance at practices, athletic ability, daily work ethic, attitude, technique and willingness to continue to develop skills make a positive effect on coaching considerations for seating in a boat. Lineups are a coaching decision and are not subject to debate.