which boathouse

Question
Hello,

I rowed for 4 years at a Philadelphia area high school and at Georgetown for three years.

I haven't picked up an oar since I graduated in 2003, but am thinking of joining one of the rowing clubs on boat house row.

I'm wondering what are the differences between the clubs. How do people pick between clubs and why you would choose one over another.

I'm not looking to join a super elite club, just something to enjoy and keep in moderate shape.  

I've been running the last few years, so am ready for working hard, but am by no stretch in "great" shape.

Thanks
Tim

Answer
Hi Tim: Most interesting question.  Usually I get the, "I did a 9:23 2K.  How do I get below 6:00 by next week?" type of questions.

Now I am from Philadelphia and rowed at Temple and at the Rowing clubs in the late-1970s and 1980s.  Unless things have changed, this is what I recall (Going through the boathouses from North to South).

Philly Girls Club: Guess that one is out of the question

Undine: Fairly competive.  If you scull, it's a good club as it caters to scullers.

Penn AC: I rowed there in 1979 and 1980.  Competitively, it cycles from not very competitive to Olympic Caliber.  They were pretty good about letting you row in gigs, but not club singles.  I quit the club over disatisfaction of not being given a chance to row in the club eight.  Some personal differences too.

College: U. of Penn and alums only.

Vesper: For serious competitive rowers only.  Not recommended.

Malta: Similar to Undine.

University: Hardly saw anybody rowing out of there.

Bachelors: Seemes mostly a women's club, but a few men trained out of there.  Might be a match.

Crescent: Rowed there from 1979 to 1988.  It is the one I would recommend as it caters to everything from novices in gigs to competitive eights.  The President is Dave Ragan, who I rowed with 30+ years ago.  Good, friendly rowers.

Fairmount: Kind of in the Undine/Malta type of club.  Had a broad scope of competitive levels.  Some of the rowers seemed arrogant and condescending.

Check the clubs individual websites for mor info.

Good Luck/AP