Pioneer Valley Rowing Club For More Information: rowing@pvrowing.com
Q: At the PVRC, will I be part of a team or will I be rowing alone?
A: The short answer is both. The long answer follows. We have both sweep (1-oar per person) and sculling (2-oars per person) boats. The singles and doubles are for sculling. This discipline has traditionally been the preference of our adult membership as it allows for a bit more flexibility of when to row and with whom. We also own four-person shells which are sweep boats. These need four rowers and a coxswain in order to function properly. For the past several years, the PVRC has primarily used these boats for youth crew sessions. But, if there is enough interest among adults, we can arrange for adult teams to go out and have a sweep rowing experience. In addition, we do encourage many of the youth to learn how to scull since it’s such a valuable discipline for helping future rowing performance.
Q: Will rowing hurt my knees, back or other body part that I’ve had trouble with?
A: Rowing is a low-impact activity which has key strength, flexibility and aerobic components. There are many people that find that rowing can help rehab and strengthen old injuries. But, there are also people who find that there are some physical limitations that make rowing difficult. We encourage folks to start by using a rowing machine for intervals of several minutes in duration before embarking with rowing on the river. This tests one’s core strengths and abilities and can often be used to find whether limitations will compromise one’s ability to successfully row on the water.
Q: Do I need to know how to swim?
A: Rowing is a water sport. For safety, we have a swim test / attestation which helps guide participants in knowing the minimum threshold of swimming ability that we believe is helpful to become a successful rower. Swimmers with limited abilities are encouraged to wear or (at least) bring a Personal Floatation Device (PFD) with them when rowing. In addition, the equipment adds floatation in the event that someone goes into the water. But, the objective of rowing is to maintain one’s balance as best as possible in order to stay afloat. Lastly, we have boats that are quite wide for beginners. These boats are very difficult to tip over.
Q: Is all rowing done early in the morning?
A: Many rowers prefer early morning hours because wind conditions are calmest, weather most predictable and personal schedules least challenged. Having said that, the PVRC offers some evening and late weekend morning sessions to accommodate those who are willing to “take their chances” with conditions in exchange for more sleep.
Q: Once I’ve completed my lessons, can I row at any time of the day?
A: The PVRC lessons are intended to make new rowers able to be somewhat independent on the water. Having said that, there are still safety reasons to launch and land as a group. To best accommodate this, the PVRC schedules set sessions (2011 schedule has nine per week) where a coach/instructor/mentor will be available to be sure the boats are launched and landed safely. For seasoned rowers (usually those who have rowed regularly for at least 2-3 years), some want the ability to go out more often or at different dates/times than the scheduled sessions. These rowers are encouraged to become a member of the Pioneer Valley Yacht Club giving them the ability to be at the club at any time. If also a member of the PVRC, this rower will have access to our equipment.
A: There are a few preferred items of clothing and a few things to avoid. But, primarily, you should wear comfortable clothing. Lycra and spandex exercise clothing works quite well to allow an unfettered workout while being breathable, etc. Hats are often helpful to help give the rower shade during the summer and an advantage in being able to see in bright sunlight. Water shoes, crocs or flip-flops can be helpful for walking near and in the water. Some boats have shoes fastened in the boat. For these, it’s required that rowers where socks. Other boats have “clogs” or straps on the boat’s footstretcher. For these boats, water shoes are particularly helpful. The type of clothing to most avoid is “baggy.” Baggy shorts or pants can get in the way of the rolling wheels of the seat. In addition to forcing one to stop rowing, this clothing vs. equipment interaction can lead to “greasy clothing.” Baggy tops (shirts and sweatshirts) can get in the way of the hands and oars as they move back and forth to propel the shell. Getting “caught up” in clothing is a hazard of rowing and can make a rower quite inefficient. Lastly, as is the case in several “athletic clothing” discussions, we recommend dressing in layers. Especially for early morning rowing, the temperature of the air and your own body will change quite dramatically from the beginning to the end of a session. To be comfortable, layers are a real benefit. In addition, leaving a layer on the shore will ensure the rower has something dry to put on when returning from a rowing session. Whether this was moist due to high exertion or an unfortunate flipping, it’s nice to have something dry to put on.
Q: I used to row and would like to start-up again. How do I get involved?
A: Peoples’ rowing background can be quite different. Feel free to contact us to discuss how you might best fit in. Of course, you could come to one of our events to meet some of us, etc. We like to ensure a certain level of expertise has been attained before people are independently allowed on the water. If it’s been a long time or you are changing disciplines (usually sweep to sculling), you may be encouraged to sign-up for lessons. If you don’t require all four of them, we can make adjustments for your individual situation.
Rowing FAQ
* At the PVRC, will I be part of a team or will I be rowing alone?
* Will rowing hurt my knees, back or other body part that I’ve had trouble with?
* Do I need to know how to swim?
* Is all rowing done early in the morning?
* Once I’ve completed my lessons, can I row at any time of the day?
* I used to row and would like to start-up again. How do I get involved?