Since it's founding in 1986, The University of Vermont Crew
has built itself up from a team lacking even a boat of its
own to become a program of highly successful men's and
women's novice and varsity teams.
For most college freshman and inexperienced rowers, there
are the men's and women's novice teams, which are a perfect
opportunity to learn to row and compete without all of the
pressures of varsity rowing. Novices practice in the evening
and have a full schedule of competition against other novice
programs. This year, Men's Novice Coach Casey Clark had two
boats progress to the final heat at the New Englands Rowing
Championships, with the top boat racing to a silver medal.
Women's Novice Coach Bri Parke led the women to two gold
medals in the first and second eights races at New Englands.
The typical rower is taller than average and athletic, but
successful rowers have come in all body types and athletic
backgrounds. The team also needs coxswains who will steer
while encouraging and directing the rowers. These
individuals are usually around 120 pounds and thus tend to
be shorter in stature.
Crew at UVM is a club sport that competes against (most
often defeating) other collegiate programs, both club and
varsity. The club title does not refer to level of
competition or commitment, but rather is an issue of funding
sources and the student-led basis of the organization.
Spring Break Training Trip is a highly valued part of UVM
Crew, with the team recently traveling to Lake Lanier
Olympic Rowing Facility in Georgia and Camp Bob Cooper in
North Carolina. This is an awesome and exhausting trip with
rowing multiple times a day in warmer weather, while the
water up north is still frozen over.
Racing is a highlight for most rowers and occurs many
weekends in the fall and spring. UVM has many head-to-head
races against other competitive teams, and each season is
highlighted by some of the most prestigious regattas, such
as the Head of the Charles (Boston), New England Rowing
Championships (Worcester, Mass.), and Dad Vail Regatta
(Philadelphia). Each race day is filled with exhausting, but
rewarding races, an inexhaustible supply of food, and the
echoes of the renowned UVM cheer. This cheer is
representative of what makes UVM stand out from all other
crew teams.
At most races, when the race is passing by the fans, there
is the regular applause and a few yells, but when a UVM boat
is within sight, the repetitive cheer "U-V-M" bellows from
the UVM rowers and fans across the water, inspiring the
rowers to find that last bit of strength to sprint out the
finish. This is perhaps the most encouraging sound ever
heard while racing down the final stretch of water. While
the best crews can compete with our teams on the water, none
have ever come close in enthusiasm.
--By Ben Carlson
Updates
Come Join UVM Crew!!!!
Looking for a new sport this year? Try Crew! With over 50
rowers UVM Crew has become a big name in the rowing
community. Stop by our tent this Saturday at the welcome
picnic for more information, or email our coaches Ian and
Doug to learn more about the team. Practices are open to all
prospective athletes, no expirence required. Practices start
Monday August 28th @ 5:30pm in the Patrick Gym Lobby. Bring
Sneakers, Gym Clothes, and Water.
Rent-A-Rower
Our team is 100% student run. That means we pay for our
own equipment, entry fees, professional coaching, and other
expenses through fundraising and generous donations from our
supporters. If you need help raking leaves, painting,
shoveling snow, or any other task you see fit for a group of
Burlington Rowers, drop us a line (or an oar handele) and
let us help you out. Head over to our fundraising page to
get more information and see how we can help you!
