Frequently Asked Questions

What is Crew?
What is the sport of rowing?
Who can row?
Who makes the team?
Where do they row?
How do rowers train?
What do rowers wear?
What does Crew cost?
What about the regattas and race schedule?
How can I find about more about E. O. Smith Crew?

What is Crew?

It’s the sport of competitive rowing. Rowing is a top aerobic activity that develops excellent, overall physical conditioning. Boys and girls in long, narrow boats called “shells” race against each other and the clock. They race against other rowers of similar age and experience levels, and the boat with the fastest time over a prescribed course (usually 1500 meters) is the winner. The concept is simple, and it’s easy to learn the basics. However, there’s an enormous amount of skill involved in propelling that foot-wide craft through choppy waters with 12-foot oars, and it takes more teamwork than initially apparent. It takes strength, endurance, balance, concentration, coordination, and the will to win that makes you push through the pain to be the fastest boat on the water. In fact, many say that rowers are the world’s finest athletes. Crew provides a great opportunity for E. O. Smith students. It is a co-ed varsity sport teaching commitment, dedication, and teamwork. Crew offers possibilities beyond high school, as E. O. Smith alumni have rowed for Harvard, Northeastern, Boston College, Wellesley, University of New Hampshire, George Washington University, and Fairfield University, to name a few. Most importantly, Crew gives E. O. Smith students a chance to be part of a team that values determination and rewards effort, both of which help develop important life skills. We look forward to working with you in support of your rower and the team.

What is the sport of rowing?

The term “boat” refers to a team. Though E. O. Smith has novice boats of eight and Varsity boats of four, it can be eight, four, two, or even a single rower. In addition, most boats have a coxswain (pronounced “cox-n”), the on-board coach who steers the boat (being the only one in the boat who faces forward), and communicates to the rowers through an on-board PA system (the “cox box”) to call out directions and set the pace of the rowers. Boats are classified by the number of rowers. With the “cox,” an “eight” will actually have nine members on the team.

The vessel they sit in is a “shell,” a lightweight, streamlined boat with sliding seats and oarlocks extending over the side. It’s a craft built for speed. Rowers will either control a single oar (sweep rowing) or two oars (sculling), and the class of boat depends on the number of rowers and the way they’re handling the oars.

Boys and girls row separately in competition. E. O. Smith has traditionally rowed Varsity Fours for both men and women. We row eights for Novice. For each group there will be a first boat, and there may be a second, third, etc.

Individual rowers are identified by the seat they occupy, starting at the bow (front) with the 1 seat. Occupying the 8 seat, commonly known as the “stroke,” is an experienced rower who sets the cadence for the boat.

There are lots of other terms to learn and a glossary of rowing terms is available. Don’t worry. You’ll be speaking fluent “crew” in no time.

Who can row?

Students from ninth through twelfth grade enrolled at E. O. Smith High School are eligible to row provided they have met the eligibility for athletic participation as laid out in the Student Athlete’s Handbook. A sports physical, IMPACT testing, and clearance from the school nurse are required before students can practice with the team. (If you are not sure that requirements have been met, ASK!) No student may get in a boat until he or she passes a swim test! Coaches will schedule a swim test date for all rowers. The testing is completed at the Mansfield Community Center Pool. Please see the Student-Athlete Handbook for more information on eligibility and rules of conduct of student athletes.

Who makes the team?

To date, anyone who is willing to make the commitment necessary for rowing makes the team. The mix of boats on the E. O. Smith Crew depends on the number of rowers that turn out each year. It’s impossible to say at the beginning of the season how many boats of which type there will be on the team, because EVERYONE ROWS. That’s right. Every student who meets the basic qualifications and comes to practice will be on a boat competing at some level during the season. That said, crew is competitive and seats in varsity boats are hard to land. Ability, seat racing, erg times, conditioning, and attitude all play a part in determining the makeup of a boat. Illness or injury can be a factor from week to week. Coaches aim to put the fastest boats on the water for every regatta.

Where do they row?

E. O. Smith Crew practices at Coventry Lake. Transportation, by bus, to and from the lake is provided by the school (except during  Spring Break and on weekends). The Boathouse is by the lake on the grounds of Patriots Park. Dock access is granted by the UConn Women’s Rowing Team. We share a dock with the women. Practices are held each day after school at Coventry Lake (twice a day during Spring Break); weekend practices also may be scheduled. Practice at the lake may include both on-the-water and land training. When on the water, rowers are accompanied by a coach in a power launch. The bus typically returns to school by 6:00 p.m.. Practice may end earlier due to inclement weather. When lake conditions prevent rowing, practice may be held at the school in the fitness room. You’ll hear a lot about the “ergs.” These are the sophisticated rowing machines used for off-season conditioning and on-land training throughout the year. Races (called regattas) are conducted at sites around Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Unlike other high school sports, rowers race against private as well as public schools.

How do rowers train?

Rowing is a physically demanding sport. Pre-season conditioning (also known as winter training) is necessary. This includes erg work, weight training circuits, and a great deal of running for leg strength. Rowers are always training, either on the water or in the fitness room. Rowers are encouraged to play other sports and/or train off-season. Periodically coaches will record rowers' times on the erg. Comparing size, strength, and times helps the coaches put together the right combination of rowers in a boat. Rowers do have particular nutritional needs. It’s important that rowers have a source of easily digested carbohydrates 90 minutes before practice and within 30 minutes after rowing. These athletes also need to take extra care to remain hydrated during practice. Each rower must bring a water bottle to practice every day. Though coaches and older rowers will have more advice for your rower regarding nutrition, you’ll have the challenge of stocking enough food to keep your rower fed and full.

What do rowers wear?

Rowers wear many layers. They start with warm-up suits in February and end with tank tops by June. Each day for practice, rowers should bring running shoes, socks, and clothes for running. Each rower needs to have spandex pants and/or shorts and shoes that can get wet (flip-flops or water clogs). Additional layers may include running shorts, sweats, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and jackets. Rowers must be prepared for all types of weather. Extra, dry clothes and extra socks are a must—rowing is a water sport and your teen will get wet. For competition, rowers must purchase official uniforms, which are sold at cost. See the clothing information on the home page. Purchases of a unisuit (a one piece competition uniform) and a practice uniform are required. Rowers typically wear the same suit for all four years of competition. Crew jackets are available for order. They are made of Gore-Tex, lightweight but warm, water and wind resistant. They are also expensive, but last forever. Purchase of an E. O. Smith Crew jacket is not required but they can be ordered on the order form.

What does crew cost?

Though there are many expenses for the team as a whole, E. O. Smith does not charge rowers a fee to participate in crew. (Other schools/programs charge from $100 to over $800 per rower.) Friends of E. O. Smith Crew (FoEOSC) buys equipment, and Region 19 Schools pays the coaches, pays for insurance, maintains the Boathouse, and transports the crew and their equipment to regattas. Thank them often for their support! So what does it cost? Your personal time and financial support. Your family is expected to provide a minimum of 20 hours of support during the season. FoEOSC needs your help at regattas and some fund-raising events. Since the school does not purchase equipment, and rowing equipment is very expensive, fund raising is very important for us. During the season, each rower is REQUIRED to participate in all fundraising opportunities.

What about the regattas and race schedule?

Once the season begins, you will receive a race schedule and information about attending Regattas. We set up a parent tent at each race, and students and their families pitch in to provide food for the day.

How can I find out more about E. O. Smith Crew?

Talk to the coaches, captains and other parents.

Welcome to the web home of E. O. Smith High School Crew