Rowing Junior

Question
Hi Al,
I am a male junior in high school, just about 6'0 and weigh 150 lbs. I just started rowing in November after a long stint of distance running and I rowed a 7:26. Since then I can average about that pace for my workouts without killing myself, but I havent done a legit erg test since then but I think i can get around 6:50- 7:00 now. My high school team's coach is terrible and I feel that I would be better off working out on my own, I want to be recruited by ivies and I was wondering if I can do that just based off of erg times and any summer camps I choose to do to get some water time in. If it matters my dad was a lightweight and took gold at both the U.S. and Canada championships during his prime for 8's... so i guess what i'm trying to say is i have the genetics. My grades and scores are on par (2280 SAT, 3.95 gpa).
Thanks for reading this long question.

Answer
Hi Colm: Below is the distribution of 16-17 year old lightweight rowers on who posted 2K times on the Concept II Database:

Average Time: 7:16.3

PERCENTILES
90th   75th   50th   25th
6:45.7 6:55.2 7:12.0 7:31.2

As you can see, a 7:26 is a bit below the average; but not too bad for a novice.  

The only thing I caution you on is to make projections of erg scores, based on your current times.  The approach to rowing a 7:00 piece and a 7:30 piece are totally different.  You have to maintain a blistering pace to hold a 1:45/500 for 2000 meters.  In other words, do not be totally surprised if you top out at 7:10 instead of 6:50.

I have not met your coach, so I have no way of judging how comptent he/she is.  If they are like my son's tennis coach, who knows nothing about the sport, offers no guidance, and does not even show up for practice, then your assessment is valid.  But if they are trying to coach you and you think you know better, then that is a different problem -- and not totally attributed to the coach.

I feel it is impossible to be a champion rower on the water based on just a regimen of erg and minimal shell-oar experience.  I've seen people pull incredible erg scores, yet are human anchors in a boat because of major technical flaws that only show up when rowing in unison in an unstable platform like a shell.  You need to demonstrate a resume of on-water success in major regattas to get any interest from an Ivy League coach.  After all, he is going to have numerous applicants who can pull a good 2K time.

I would give it at least one season rowing with your high school crew.  Ask your dad to come out and offer coaching assistance to your head coach (who might be glad to have such a prominent rower helping out).  If you really think the high school program is holding you back, row for a private club next summer and senior year.  

I think your grades are outstanding and your potential is unlimited.  But maybe, just maybe, your attitude might be an issue.

Good Luck/AP