Is rowing for you?

How and when to get involved with Fairport Crew Club
(Written by Coach Lee Frost)

Students and parents often ask how they can get involved with rowing and Fairport Crew Club. Rowing is a considerable commitment for both the rower and the family. Practice is five days a week, and attendance is required. Rowing is not like other sports where a replacement can easily step into the game and perform just as well. Rowers develop a chemistry within their boat. When a member misses practice or a regatta, that chemistry is disrupted. If you or your student is involved with many extra activities such as drama, and dance, maybe rowing is not your sport. Doing another sport while rowing is not advisable.

The sport has 2 primary seasons: winter conditioning/spring and fall. We also have some summer programs that are optional. Rowers-paid dues, travel expenses and parent expenses will exceed $1000 per year with hotel, uniforms, dues, etc. ifthe rower participates in all of the seasons and programs.

Rowers are generally required to attend a learn-to-row or scull program before 9th grade or later before entering the program. Occasionally, rowers start during the winter conditioning program, which starts in February of each year.

Following the learn-to-row program, rowers try out in the late summer for one of the slots on the team. There are a number of required forms that need to be completed. All these are on our web site and there is a link to them below. Due to coaching limitations, all applicants may not make the team. All new rowers are subject to cuts based on the coaches’ decision.

If you are still interested, go back to our Join Us page and read on. Also, please watch our website for the announcement of parent and rower informational meetings.