Novices Start Practice

By Marissa Long

September 12th was the first day for novices and the first practice for the women’s crew. The team has been actively recruiting both on campus and on social media. All the effort that the team put in to recruit more rowers has finally paid off. Novices ran and warmed up with the varsity crew at 6am on the dot. After the warmup, the varsity and novices split off into separate groups. The varsity got more training in and then had some time on the water with Coach Scott Erwin. The boathouse gym was filled with novices on ergs. Coach Mike Long and Coach Mike McAndrews taught the different rowing checkpoints and some terminology. Novices later participated in a tour of the boathouse and watched the varsity eight pull up to the dock. Some novices were able to experience lifting and moving an eight boat. The novices are continuing their training with time on the ergs and dock boxes, which simulates what it is actually like to row in the boat before even stepping foot in one.

Novices on the ergs.

Coach Mike McAndrews gives the women’s crew a tour of their boats.