Are you in high school or middle school? Do you enjoy spending time on the water in a long, skinny boat with others? And finally, can you use both arms in a rhythmic pattern to row that boat?
If you answered yes to one or all three of the above questions then the people at Concord Crew would like to meet you. That’s because the group of rowing enthusiasts is gearing up for its fall season and it’s about that time to sign up.
Concord Crew is entering its 14th season and is accepting registration through Aug. 11, although head coach Jay Printzlau said the deadline is a little loose, since they usually keep it open through the first week of school for those who don’t make their school athletic teams or learn about it from friends.
“We get athletes from all different backgrounds,” Printzlau said.
And the best part is that you don’t need any real time on the water to join the Concord Crew – just a strong work ethic and a willingness to learn. The teams range from novice to varsity, and your placement will depend on where you fit in based on skill level.
“There’s a great deal of emphasis on the work, but the thing about our program is that no experience is necessary,” Printzlau said. “It affords athletes and non-athletes the opportunity to try something new.”
The team practices six days a week, typically Monday through Friday after school and again on Saturday morning, unless there’s a race. Over the course of the 11-week season, each rower will race at least five times, including a home regatta on the Merrimack River on Sept. 7.
“Everyone practices, everyone races,” Printzlau said. “And they will race against rowers of similar abilities. The kids are really going to move around depending on their skill levels.”
The official start of practice is Aug. 18 for the experienced rowers and Aug. 25 for newcomers. But for those of you unsure of what the whole Concord Crew thing is all about, you can attend one of the experienced rower practices during the first week to see if it’s something you want to pursue.
“Every year we send one or more kids, with scholarships, to rowing colleges,” Printzlau said.
The program is open to middle and high school students in the capital region and cost for the fall season is $450, which includes the use of the crew’s equipment from its boat house off Loudon Road.
For more info or to sign up, visit concordcrew.org.
