How You Become a Top Rower
Rowing is a meritocracy. You earn your seat by demonstrating strength, aerobic fitness, flexibility, superior technical skill, erg score times, boat-moving abilities (not the same as erg scores) and a coachable attitude that matches well with the many combinations of potential athletes. When you are able to put this together, and train over a period of time together it makes for fast outcomes. Coaches use these and other criteria to rank and boat athletes. Rowing is not, however, always fair. Tall, strong, flexible, smart athletes sometimes come by their traits naturally. Others must work to overcome limitations through additional training, determination, superior technique, and study. High level finishes at the high school, collegiate and Olympic levels come through single minded dedication.
Gear
Rowing gear for practices/regattas includes spandex shorts, tech shirt/tank top, long sleeve shirt, close-fitting windbreaker, sneakers, flipflops (for the boat), socks, sunscreen, sunglasses, baseball cap, change of clothing, and a personally labeled water bottle.
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