Excellent in terms of scholarship opportunities too.

Smaller kids may be good candidates for coxswains, too.

Yes he should. I think starting at a young age is great. As another PP pointed out, if you have a great technique and skill, it makes up for/is more important than height. The earlier that he is able to hone these skills, the better athlete he'll be!


And yes, agree with PPs about it being boring for parents. My parents used to joke that they'd wait for hours (I'd row twice at a regatta) to see me go by for 30 seconds. A far cry from my previous field hockey "career" and my brother's football and baseball life.

My petite son has shown as interest in getting involved in crew in high school next year. Apparently there are some camps he could go to this summer but since he is short (about 5 ft 2 inches at age 13), should I encourage this interest?

Anonymous wrote:

Or, you know, to even see their kid at all. This has nothing to do with taunting opponents or criticizing referees. For parents, crew is a *boring* activity.

Crew parents often get to know each other better than parents who keep their eyes glued on their own kid during a game. And you aren't required to spend an entire regatta in one spot waiting for the boats to pass.

Yes, it can be boring at times. Not sure if you have a point. Are you just making an observation or suggesting parents should not encourage their kids to get involved in a sport that may challenge them physically and mentally because it may not keep adults sufficiently entertained?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Listening to parents talk, it's the. most. boring. sport. ever. Costly and huge time commitment to sit in stands forever and see your kid whisk past for exactly 20 seconds.

There's an element of truth in that.

May not be the best activity for parents who like to sit on the sidelines, or in the stands, and criticize the refereees and opposing teams throughout the entire game, or for those who want to videotape everything their kids do.

Or, you know, to even see their kid at all. This has nothing to do with taunting opponents or criticizing referees. For parents, crew is a *boring* activity.

Agree with pretty much everything above. I rowed at Thomas Jefferson and then in college as well. It is a great team sport and very good for bonding among the team members because of the dedication it takes not just to row but also to raise the funds, etc. It can even be a good option for those who are dedicated but not athletic....I was very overweight and couldn't run a mile in ninth grade, I ended up doing very well and have run marathons since I stopped rowing.

There is also the benefit that there are decent scholarships out there for women because of Title IX. Don't let height discourage you --I'm not sure if high schools still have "lightweight" teams but colleges still do.

Anonymous wrote:Listening to parents talk, it's the. most. boring. sport. ever. Costly and huge time commitment to sit in stands forever and see your kid whisk past for exactly 20 seconds.

There's an element of truth in that.

May not be the best activity for parents who like to sit on the sidelines, or in the stands, and criticize the refereees and opposing teams throughout the entire game, or for those who want to videotape everything their kids do.

Listening to parents talk, it's the. most. boring. sport. ever. Costly and huge time commitment to sit in stands forever and see your kid whisk past for exactly 20 seconds.

I loved my experience in the crew team at West Potomac, nearly 20 years ago (ouch). I was in great shape at the end of each season. I'm 5'4 and didn't find myself at a disadvantage. I rowed on several varsity boats.

But man I do not miss doing ergs.

I did crew in a private dc high school and I disagree that height is necessarily a disadvantage. I'm 5'4" and was seven seat of the varsity eight for two years because I busted my ass to improve my technique and strength. Yes bring taller may be advantageous because your stroke is longer, but being strong and determined and having a committed work ethic will take you further than your height alone. Don't let your child's height stop them from tring.

17:16 here. How tall is your kid? Under 5'7 for a girl and 5'11 for a boy and the sport is harder. I am 5'5 and definitely had a disadvantage because of it

I did crew in high school (almost 10 years ago)...and loved it. I'd been an athlete my whole life, but following a shoulder injury, I was limited with what sports I could do. It is very intense and may be difficult for someone not used to very strict and rigorous sports. It is also a sport for people with good attention. It can be very easy to let your mind wander while on the water, and crew is a sport where if one kid is a little ahead or behind the count, it screws the whole boat up. Crew does require a great deal of athletic ability and there is a lot of strength and cardio training involved. Lol I just made it sound like the worst sport ever, but i guess I was just trying to point out some ways it may not be for everyone. I continued crew in college and one of my good friends there rowed with T.C.Williams (I think that's what it is called) great program but very competitive and strenuous. Although I suppose it could have changed by now.

Anonymous wrote:kids are starting at a high school that has a HS crew team. sounds kinda cool. what Is it like?

Good for discipline and motivation. Requires a significant commitment of time and fund-raising. Kids from several teams are spending their entire spring breaks at rowing camps. In VA, I've heard the best public HS crew teams are McLean, W-L and Yorktown. Not sure about the privates.

kids are starting at a high school that has a HS crew team. sounds kinda cool. what Is it like?