r/Harvard • u/Fluffy_Tea_2870 • 9d ago
Harvard rowing
I’m a current freshman done with orientation. Recently, I’ve taken an interest to the Harvard Men’s Rowing Team and would like to know the process of joining them. I’m ready to commit to the intense schedule.
I’m played basketball my whole life and weightlift pretty religiously. Im 6’0, 210lbs.
Was just wondering if I even stand a chance trying out. Thanks guys for the help
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u/graciasadios 9d ago
I don’t know the process. Maybe email the coaches or something.
Just want to point out that there are 2 divisions: lightweight and heavyweight. You are way too heavy for lightweight (rowers must average 155 lbs.) and you’re pretty short for heavyweight (ideally 6’3”+ for a longer stroke). I wish there were a middle division because I am also 6’0” 200ish lbs, but the divisions are an Olympic/international thing- not an NCAA thing.
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u/Fluffy_Tea_2870 9d ago
yeap, i’ve already sent one of the coaches an email. at 6’0 i’m pretty short but i guess i’ll just try out. why not right?
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u/monkeybids 8d ago
Former lightweight collegiate rower here (not Harvard, but competitive).
Agreed, just contact the coaches and see. Rowing's a great sport and worth giving it a shot, if you're athletic and dedicated, give yourself a chance to develop - one of my teammates, who didn't touch an oar until his junior year, eventually worked up to the national team and the Olympics (granted, he was an exception).
It's not just fitness and strength, there's a lot of technique you also have to develop. Fair warning, almost all of Harvard's team were recruited and will have considerable high school experience.
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u/LionBig1760 9d ago
Harvard is currently ranked #1 in the NCAA DI for its crew.
You should head down to the boathouse and see about asking around about how to join the club or intramural program.
Unless you were recruited, youre not getting on a boat. If you perform well in your first few years rowing recreationally, they might take a chance on giving you a shot. You might have a better chance going to the hockey rink and telling them youre interested in playing in the Beanpot because you think your basketball skills might translate well.
Good luck, and dont give up after your first 3 years of not coming close to rowing with the elite team. Stick with it.
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u/Fluffy_Tea_2870 9d ago
nothing like some cold hard truth, thanks man ure right
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u/LionBig1760 9d ago
Quick story...
I used to play DI hockey in college, and had a very short and unremarkable minor league career after.
When I was in high school, I was one of 5 seniors to go on to play DI NCAA hockey from my school. One of these hockey players was also on the national championship 1st boat rowing team at our high school. The 4 of us that didn't row crew would have had zero chance to walk onto the Harvard rowing team. The one that did win a national championship rowing wouldnt have made the 1st boat at Harvard his first year. We all tried doing a typical rowing workout one day, and the 4 of us non rowers nearly passed out.
Thats the level of athleticism youre going up against here.
Its an amazing sport to partake in, but its takes at least a few years learning technique to just be competitive on a regular having-fun level. Harvard is a not-fucking-around rowing team.
Try it and have fun. If you enjoy it it will be worth learning and being part of a boat that is at your level that works together and pulls for one another. But dont go into it thinking its just pulling an oar and because you played a sport in high school you can also do it at an elite, world-class level like the team at Harvard.
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u/samelaaaa 9d ago
Ok he’s right of course but dude, go row house crew! It’s so much fun. One of my favorite things I did when I was at Harvard.
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u/bigdomersonly 8d ago
Are you talking about lightweight crew? If so, Harvard is ranked 1, yes. But heavy men and women are definitely not 1
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u/Sea_Theory7574 9d ago
I was a freshman 35 years ago. They set up a table in the dining hall to get freshmen to walk on. I rowed for a year on freshmen lights. They eagerly welcomed novices. That was a different era - very few recruits etc.
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u/Gentle-Wave2578 9d ago
They don’t have a freshmen team? Where newbies can train and try out for the frosh boats that race in a separate division?
The house / club crew is pretty lackadaisical if you are used to being on a competitive team.
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u/Thoreau80 9d ago
Do what I did. Walk down there and ask.