Rowing Training

Question
Hi Al,

I'm currently in high school and have always played competitive high school basketball during the winter and rowed crew for the local club during the spring. Since joining the competitive program this winter I was told that I had to stop playing basketball because the sprint, stop, sprint, style of basketball is detrimental to the endurance training for rowing. I really want to be a top rower but I still love basketball as well, I was just wondering your thoughts?
I hear many college rowers still did hockey, football, and basketball and always thought the cross training was helpful.

Answer
Hi Anthony: This is a very delicate and tough question to answer.  If this is an issue of the rowing coach telling you that the basketball games and workouts is interfering with your rowing training regimen, then you will have to make a decision: Basketball or Crew.  However, if you are meeting all of your rowing workout committments, then I'd say you should have your parents talk to the coach.

Personally, I don't see how basketball would affect your rowing ability.  If it were football, with the high injury probability -- that I can see.  But basketball is a high-endurance sport.  Not like rowing of course, but a workout is a workout.

I don't agree with you when you say that "many" college rowers play other sports.  A top-level college crew program is a year-round effort.  You would never have the time to play other sports.  

Other points to consider. How good of a rower are you? Do you want to row in college? Are you good enough for a rowing scholarship? Do you have any potential to play basketball after high school. Remember, you can only play basketball competitvely for a few years; but you can row into your 80s.

If the above doesn't help, then the bottom line is: If I we're you, I'd take a coin and flip it in the air -- Heads, Basketball; Tails, Rowing.  As the coin is in the air, whatever your heart wishes it lands on is what you should pursue this winter.