Cold Weather Rowing

We're on the water this week, and the weather is looking good for the next few days. I'm sort of concerned about this; I would prefer colder temperatures. Why? The boys need the "seasoning" of rowing in cold weather.

It's really simple. People in general and teenage boys in particular don't learn when they are told something. If I tell somebody that it is very cold outside and they need a coat, they'll pull a jacket out of the closet. If they stick their head out the door and get a facefull of sleet, they'll pull out the winter parka with cloves and a hat.

Thus and so, the guys need a really cold, nasty practice. With wind, a little rain and some rough water. Those conditions will come during the spring racing season, and they need to have the equipment to deal with rowing in wintry hell. More importantly, they need the attitude to row in bad conditions. Rowing in the nasty cold takes a special mindset. You have to say to yourself, yep its cold. But they're colder. They don't want to be out here, but I just want to beat them, so let's race. Crews that pull hard and lower on the rating will win in nasty water. Plus, it doesn't hurt to have the right boat.

Pittsburgh crews must row in bad conditions because the weather doesn't get nice around here until mid May. Here's a football analogy: who is happier on Christmas Eve, when it's 33 degrees and the sleet is slanting down in Cleveland, the Browns or the Tampa Bay Bucs? The Browns may stink this year (and the Bucs may not be much better), but I'm picking the team that spends more time in nasty conditions.

So, after all those links, here's a few that our readers might be able to use. Parents, here is a great list of Christmas ideas.

Pogies, those hand covers that won't come between the skin and the oar.
Fleece long socks, which I liked better than long tights because they don't bunch up under the knee at the catch.
Under Armour. Man, I wish we had this company when I was rowing. Great stuff. Look over the long tights, and cold weather shirts.
Rain Suits. What do these have to do with rowing? Simple. If an athlete is wet, cold and shivering when they push off the dock, then they are already beaten. A lot of time is spent sitting around dripping tents or walking around in the elements. I've seen hundreds of athletes with great "foul weather" rowing gear in their backpacks arrive at the course with a water "resistant" jacket and jeans. Nothing else. They are soaked to the skin and blue in 30 minutes. How can anyone compete then?
Mustang Suit. Do any rowers need this? No. The team supplies our coxswains with suits. But there is nothing warmer or more comfortable. I love mine. Just putting a shout out to Mustang for a great product.
Waterproof sleeping bag. Expensive? Yep. Am I insisting on this? Not yet. Look around a little. But I'll leave a little thought here. We put up tents for the athletes to rest in and keep out of the weather. Those tents are usually near the water so everyone can watch. Tents near the water are usually on some type of slope, so water will drain through the tent on the ground. People might not be getting rained on, but anyone and anything on the ground will sometimes be sitting in freezing mud, if not flowing water. Think about that when you're taking a sleeping back on a trip to keep warm. Hard to keep warm and dry if the exterior is cloth.

Categories: Rowing