Too short?

Question
Hi, I'm a sophomore in college that is planning on starting a crew team at my university.  I have zero experience, but recently found an urge to row. The problem is that I'm 5'7 162 lbs and people keep telling me I'm too short. Is this true? We only plan on having a heavyweight team at this time, so lightweight is out the option, besides the fact I'm too heavy for it. Also if you could provide any help or advice to us on starting our own crew team, it would be much appreciated.

Answer
Hi Matthew: That sounds exciting, a fledgling crew team.  And you will be one of the founding members.  Of all college sports, crew rowing relies the most on getting novice walk-ons to join the team.  Crews need bodies to fill out JV boats, Freshman-Novice boats (which you are eligible for) and smaller boats like fours.  They also are looking for diamonds in the rough (i.e., an ex-jock in high school who gets the competitive urge again.)

Understand, the first season may be a rough one and you may do some losing.  But if you keep most of the rowers together, by your Senior year, you should be competitive.

Yes, the taller you are, the better mechanical advantage you have with respect to length of your stroke.  But I've seen rowers of your stature make it on varsity boats also.  Besides, you have no control over your height.  What you do have control over is physical conditioning before the season starts.  Before the team starts tryouts, you need to start a routine as soon as possible to develop maximum cardiovascular capacity.  You do this through a mix of long-distance jogs and short intensity running like running stairs or hills.  You also need to hit the weight room and develop a muscle-building routine -- especially with your legs.  Finally, you want to look for equipment called the Concept II ergometer.  It is a rowing machine that most resembles the intensity of on-water racing.

With respect to starting out on crew, I assume you have a coach.  In fact, you better have a coach or else you will literally be rudderless out there.  The best thing I could recommend to you is to go out and canvass for as many rowing candidates as you can.  I'd also make sure you start the crew out with at least enough equipment to support three (3) eights: A V8, JV8 and Fresh/Novice 8.  If you don't have 3 boats, do fundraising and that kind of stuff.

Good Luck/AP