Want to Join the Team? 2025 SPRING TRYOUTS & PREPARATION
TRYOUTS: FEBRUARY – 12 at 6:30 am!
At the Western Albemarle High School Auxiliary Gym
If you make the team, then you must attend the Mandatory Parent/Rower Meeting at the Western Albemarle High School Cafeteria; date and time TBD.
Crew is a highly competitive, intense sport that requires year-round dedication and training. Athletes who want to become members of the team tryout in late August and again in late February and all members row during both seasons and most train all winter. Because of the size of our fleet and coaches availability, we limit the number of rowers on the team. The tryout consists of a demanding 2,000 meter row on a Concept 2 ergometer; a time trial that takes anywhere from 6:10 for our elite rowers to 9+ minutes for beginners. Additionally, candidates will run 1 mile and perform, continuously, five 90 second planks – front, right side, left side, hollow rock, and what we call, “supermensch”; that is, lying on one’s stomach with arms and legs off the ground. There is no cutoff time for 2k or the mile; however, the speed, grit and determination evidenced by the effort is a very important indication of both athletic ability, mental toughness and the rower’s dedication to the sport.
Therefore, anyone considering trying out this Fall should prepare all summer so as to be able to turn in their best performance at tryouts. Aerobic activities, planking (most young folks cores are not strong and rowing requires core strength) and erging are important to that preparation, but it is critical that erging be done properly – the videos below provide excellent instruction on technique and beginners should contact one of our coaches for additional guidance.
Beginners should start with, and follow this introductory erging plan: ERG-Intro-Training-Plan (1) AND BEFORE you erg study this: www.concept2.com/indoor-rowers/training/technique-videos
The videos to use with the introductory erg training plan are at the concept2 website and here: https://youtu.be/ycKNBnngeMo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9r6bXOvepU
IMPORTANT: Selection for the team occurs within 24 hours of the tryouts. If you make the team, you and a parent/guardian MUST attend the mandatory parent/rower meeting!
ENJOY!
