Just a few thoughts to give you guys more information on what to expect.
Monday will not have seat racing. You will go out in the lineups I sent via Email to get used to the 4+. Coxswains: launch, go to the bridge and go straight downstream, A2, 24 strokes per minute. Turn around and return at the first of the three sisters. Rowers, get the boats racked quickly and start your lifting in the Millvale house immediately. Legs and arms. As you can see, time will be at a premium, so get everything moving quickly. If you're standing around talking, you're not doing something you're supposed to.
Tuesday will start the beginning of seat racing, focusing on selection for the lightweight 8+ and 4+. That does not mean that all races will be lightweight only. Everyone should be prepared to be switched at any moment, including those in the 8+ that day. Pull your hardest on every piece, because you don't know who will be switched. I don't follow a set switching pattern for that specific reason.
Don't ask me the results of your seat races. If you need to know, I'll tell you. Remember, I try to replicate every race, so don't think that you only get one shot.
We're looking for the fastest possible boats. This is a team sport. Remember that.
Bring plenty of gear, especially on Tuesday and Wednesday. Weather is calling for rain and cooler temps on those days.
The water temperature is rising and I hope it continues to. Flow remains at a reasonable level, so we're looking good for spring so far.
Finally, Jesse Foglia will be joining us for a few practices this week. He is coming to observe and offer his suggestions. Give him the respect he primarily deserves as a coach, not primarily as your friend.
2 comments:
Once Water temp is above 40. I've added the safety matrix to the links.
First of all I was very impressed with the way that you all handeled youselves on Saturday excellent way to kick off the spring season. Now just a few words of wisdom, you have all proven that you are capable of great individual accomplishment, now is the true test. You must forget about any erg score that you put up over the winter, they mean nothing, once you hit the water. I have raced many men who could put up monster erg scores, but would become useless once in a boat. Spinning an erg does not translate into boat speed. Second unlike any other sport crew is based around the team, you will rise and fall by your weakest link. But being a team means more than wearing the same uniforms or having the same jacket. A team is a family, a group of boys who will become men together. You may hate the guy sitting in front of you but you MUST respect them. There must be a trust between all rowers and their cox. This trust is the most critical element to a championship level crew. With out trust each rower feels alone for those 1500 meters, with out trust each rower is trying to win the race by themselves. This is impossible, no one rower can win a race, no one rower gets a medal. A race is a war, when you go to war you bring an army, that is the attitude that you must go into each race with. A story for old time’s sake. Last year at The Midwest Scholastic Rowing Championships, our Varsity 8 shoved off. It was comprised of 2 small heavy weights 2 novices 1 light weight and 3 fly weights. When we launched there as no doubt in our minds that none of us were good enough to win, but all of us together were unstoppable. I think every one knows how the story ends. The more important thing is that after that race was the first time I had ever seen 8 men cry. Yes we were crying out of sadness but it was more than that it was the fact that all 8 of us had been to battle together, we had all put ourselves on the line for each other. I guess I can best sum it up by a movie quote “We Ride Together, We Die Together, Bad Boys For Life” Now that I have rambled on in only a way that Jay can accomplish. I wish you all the best. I will be with you in every way I can
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