More rowing advice needed

Dellboy54

Can anyone tell me what type of race rowers in their 30s can take part in? We have a few in our club but we're not sure what can be entered.

Ryder

what club do you mean? a sailing club? where are you based?

Dellboy54

Rowing club???

Ryder

Dellboy54 wrote: »

Rowing club???

that answer dosent really help me to help you. the short answer is every category from novice to senior and all boat classes......but unless i know what type of rowing club, olympic or coastal, and what type of experience, i cant really answer the question.

pm if you want

Dellboy54

Sorry Ryder, didn't think about the variations of the sport. We wouldn't be coastal, we would row on rivers, sculling and sweep... experience levels would definitely be novice. Mostly new to the sport.

Ryder

if youre a club, you should affiliate with rowing ireland, the governing body for the sport. head races (time trials) run from about october to march, racing season runs then to july.

novice is for any age who hasnt rowed before, or junior who hasnt won a championship....im guessing youre not in the junior category. boat classes; sweep - pairs, 4s and 8s. sculling - single, double and quad

visit the rowing ireland page for more info

Dellboy54

We are affiliated with iaru but I found the websites information on rowers in their 30s a bit sketchy. There is the master category but we weren't sure if that was for beginners. Also could a quad crew made up of members in their 20s and 30s take part in head races? Would it be a senior crew???

Ryder

masters is for rowers over 37...i think. To be honest, I'd expect it to be very competitive, likely experienced oarsmen.....also in Ireland, very sparse.

20s and 30s is perfect. Lots of college rowers don't start until 18. Novice category is irrespective of age....any age groups can row together....only limit is category....and you're guys are novice

Edit....quad schull is a strange category...may not find entries for it as novice, but bo prob going intermediate

Dellboy54

I believe rowers can be novice up until they win a race at a regatta, do they move to intermediate then? If this is a crew that are in the 20's and 30's do they then have to break up into different age category's?

Ryder

there are no different age categories that apply to you. none. a 90 year old could row with a 17 year old...no problem. there would only be a problem if the 90 year old wanted to race junior, or the 17 year old wanted to race masters....i dont think either apply to your club

yes, as i remember the rules, one win bumps you up. worth checking with the regatta secretary as not all races count for status....especially if small.

at least when i was on a club committee, all clubs affiliated to the iaru, now rowing ireland, got a blue book every year with a list of club contact people and the rules. maybe worth requesting this?

Dellboy54

Ok I think I get it now....novice, intermediates and seniors are decided by the amount of races a rower has won and not their age?

europa11

Masters is for over 27's up to any age. However don't be put off thinking you'll have to be too experienced, I know of an eights crew here (all aged in late 40's or so) who have up to five novices who began rowing only three or so years ago and are now competing in heads and regattas.

Keep at it and although you will need some experience (particuarly in coaching) it's a very rewarding and healthy sport for all ages.

This info may help explain: (from worldrowing.com)

"A rower may compete as a Masters rower from the beginning of the year during which he or she turns 27. Masters rowers are then placed in categories A-J, A being an average of 27 years or over, and J being an average of 80 years or over. Dependent on the age they turn that year, the Masters rower will then compete against others with the same average age in the respective category. The average and minimum age of a crew competing excludes that of the coxswain. The aim of a Masters rower can be to compete at the World Rowing Masters Regatta. Master rowers can be former elite rowers, or absolute beginners who only began rowing aged 27 or above.

Masters rowing also focuses on the health and fitness benefits of rowing, socializing and forming friendships."

You'll get better info from the link to World Rowing:

http://www.worldrowing.com/rowing/masters

Grandpa Hassan

Dellboy54 wrote: »

Ok I think I get it now....novice, intermediates and seniors are decided by the amount of races a rower has won and not their age?

That is correct. You have the option to race masters if you wish....but should bear in mind that most masters crews are quite experienced - ie. former serious rowers who want to take a more relaxed approach to the sport.

racing novice is your best bet. And there are no age restrictions. If you win a race, you go to inter. Or if you have been registered as a competitive rower with the IARU for over 3 years, then you also go to inter.

Novice coxed quads is a relatively new event, but many races now offer the category

Dellboy54

Another question.....How do clubs that hold HOR regattas decide on what category of race will run?

Grandpa Hassan

Dellboy54 wrote: »

Another question.....How do clubs that hold HOR regattas decide on what category of race will run?

It is completely down to them, and depends on a number of factors like the make up of clubs in their catchment area, the type of river the race is on, and the numbers of likely entries in each event.

For example, Dublin head of the river, on the Liffey through the city, is only eights, and senior fours. Novice fours would not be able to handle the bouncy conditions, and numbers are limited in any case (as boats have to be carried over the weir).

Alternatively, Skibberreen will have loads of junior events, as junior rowing down in that neck of the woods is huge. The likes of Skibb, Waterford, Carlow etc would likely have large entries for novice coxed quads (as that is how many juniors start rowing)

The large HORs like Lagan will likely offer everything (some over a shorter distance)

Dellboy54

Reason I ask is, on checking the rowing ireland schedule it look like Neptune HOR is the last event of the year. It does have a category for a novice 4x but has no category for a novice 2x going by last years results. We figure that if we can enter with the novice 4x we could also enter two novice 2x as we have a double scull but the option has not appeared in previous HOR's and more than likely will not be this year.

Grandpa Hassan

You can always ask them

edit: thinking about it, I am not sure a novice 2x exists in any race. check the national championship prospectus on the IARU website. If novice 2x is not there, it is not a recognised boat class, probably due to the fact that novices generally cant steer straight (hence the 4x is coxed at novice level).

Dellboy54

Yeah could be worth asking. Have checked other HOR's, Skib and Bann last year and they have novice 2x categories??? Good few sprints have novice 2x also. Could be back to what you said earlier in that they may reckon that a novice 2x might not be able to handle that type of river.

Grandpa Hassan

Dellboy54 wrote: »

Yeah could be worth asking. Have checked other HOR's, Skib and Bann last year and they have novice 2x categories??? Good few sprints have novice 2x also. Could be back to what you said earlier in that they may reckon that a novice 2x might not be able to handle that type of river.

Neptune head of the river is on blessington lake, and can get blowy.

europa11

Fermoy, St. Michaels', Castleconnell or Galway HOR's might be your best bets to begin competing.

Have to agree regarding Blessington. Lovely when it's calm, but not ideal for Novice crews if there are 'white horses' on the water.

Same could be said for Athlone and certainly any event on Inniscara when it's blowing.


edit: don't know what part of the country you're in Dellboy but I can only comment on HOR's I've been to, and I've not been too far up north for Heads. There may well be suitable stretches in Sligo, Lagan, Carrick-on-Shaanon, etc. but best to let someone more experienced advise you re those.

Dellboy54

Took a look at Castleconnell.... 3000m....Good Jesus thats a row and a half....They seem to skip the novice 2x but have novice 1x, 4x and 8x.

europa11

Dellboy54 wrote: »

Took a look at Castleconnell.... 3000m....Good Jesus thats a row and a half....They seem to skip the novice 2x but have novice 1x, 4x and 8x.

If there are enough entries, they might put on a novice 2x.

Castleconnel HOR is still a while off (November) so maybe if you contact the Club Sec. and tell them you're interested. More the merrier!

It's a long course, but then most Heads will be 3000m and often more, very few are less, in that regard also have a look at the Tullamore Time Trial in October 6. At 2250m at least it's not as long as most and may be ideal for you to get started, then you could consider Castleconnell.

http://www.iaru.ie/sites/default/files/dec_-_calendar_2012_-_agreed_agm_may_2011-_be5_0.pdf

Dellboy54

We took a look at the Tullamore Time Trials. It looks like its only for single scullers which rules us out as the single scull we have is out of action and will be for some time. I see what you mean about distance in Heads. Reckon we have a bit more training to do before we think about competing in them...

Grandpa Hassan

Dellboy54 wrote: »

We took a look at the Tullamore Time Trials. It looks like its only for single scullers which rules us out as the single scull we have is out of action and will be for some time. I see what you mean about distance in Heads. Reckon we have a bit more training to do before we think about competing in them...

then you can start thinking about doing the 4 1/2 miles of Lagan head....

Ryder

Dellboy54 wrote: »

We took a look at the Tullamore Time Trials. It looks like its only for single scullers which rules us out as the single scull we have is out of action and will be for some time. I see what you mean about distance in Heads. Reckon we have a bit more training to do before we think about competing in them...

i wouldnt worry about the distance....most heads are in the direction of flow. if you think you can compete at 2000m, finishing a 3 or 4000m head should be no real problem.

the hardest thing for the small boats especially is navigating an unfamiliar course. that only comes with practise so no harm in entering a few events now even if you think you havent enough training done

Dellboy54

What would be a good time for 2k by a novice crew, say for a quad and double, starting off?

europa11

Dellboy54 wrote: »

What would be a good time for 2k by a novice crew, say for a quad and double, starting off?

Somewhere around the 9 - 10 minute marks would be fair going for a Novice quad crew over 2k imo.

Double in 10:30 - 12 mins.

Really depends on how your technique is though, drive and power are fine and neccesary but the better your technique and co-ordination the more you can make the boat work for you.

Won't all come together at once but the experience of taking part in HOR's will always stand to you and prove invaluable as you prepare for regattas later in the season.

Dellboy54

Would you expect ERG times to be a bit quicker?

europa11

Dellboy54 wrote: »

Would you expect ERG times to be a bit quicker?

Definitely, but again, it depends on how long you've been training on the ERG's and what your fitness levels are.

Over 2k on an ERG you should be aiming to do sub 8:00 mins. before thinking about entering races.

To do that you'll need to bring the stroke rate up to an avg. of 30, not so much on your regular training circuit but gear up to it for a 2k test, it's a hard slog but worth it! (bear in mind you wouldn't be doing that rate on the water with a novice crew where 22 - 24 would be more manageable)

Dellboy54

europa11 wrote: »

Definitely, but again, it depends on how long you've been training on the ERG's and what your fitness levels are.

Over 2k on an ERG you should be aiming to do sub 8:00 mins. before thinking about entering races.

To do that you'll need to bring the stroke rate up to an avg. of 30, not so much on your regular training circuit but gear up to it for a 2k test, it's a hard slog but worth it! (bear in mind you wouldn't be doing that rate on the water with a novice crew where 22 - 24 would be more manageable)

What tension would the erg be set at for those time?

Grandpa Hassan

Dellboy54 wrote: »

What tension would the erg be set at for those time?

Having the fan at 5 on one erg is not the same as another....depends on age, how much gunk there is inside etc. So set a drag factor (on the screen) of 115 to 120

Dellboy54

What would be good times for 500m sprints on ergs and on the water as novice? On the water being on quads and double?

europa11

Dellboy54 wrote: »

What would be good times for 500m sprints on ergs and on the water as novice? On the water being on quads and double?

Ergo time 1:50

Water for 500 - Quad 4 is quickest boat for a start, so you should manage a 500 Sprint in 2 mins. flat. Double scull 2:15 would be decent enough.

Dellboy54

Does anyone know where most rowing clubs would buy their rowing kits e.g singlets, jackets etc...

europa11

Dellboy54 wrote: »

Does anyone know where most rowing clubs would buy their rowing kits e.g singlets, jackets etc...

we get most of our gear locally from this company. afaik, actual rowing singlets ('onesies') are purchased elsewhere. Our crew don't use them for obvious reasons :rolleyes:.

As for Textileprint, they have an online catalogue (Link below), but they will offer discounts for clubs. Embroidered crests on whatever you want.

Regatta jackets are top class btw.

http://www.textileprint.ie/

Dellboy54

There seems to be a lot of gear we could use on this website. Jackets seem to be very reasonable as well. Keep coming across Godfreys in England for rowing kits as well. Seems a lot of Irish clubs have pages on it. Would this be the main place to get proper singlets?

europa11

Yeah, coudn't think of the name.

Godfrey's would be the place for singlets alright.

theSHU

Dellboy54 wrote: »

There seems to be a lot of gear we could use on this website. Jackets seem to be very reasonable as well. Keep coming across Godfreys in England for rowing kits as well. Seems a lot of Irish clubs have pages on it. Would this be the main place to get proper singlets?

Powerhouse http://www.powerhousesportshop.com/rowing.html

theSHU

Dellboy54 wrote: »

What would be good times for 500m sprints on ergs and on the water as novice? On the water being on quads and double?

The winning time for novice 1x at champs would be around 7:10 - 7:15.

To be at the races you'd want your erg times to be around 1:36 for 500m with a minimum 2k score of 6:40.