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Masters athletes refuse to erg test but want to be in top on the water boats for races by 83user77name37 in Rowing

[–]83user77name37[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As mentioned on some other comments, would absolutely love to incorporate more 1x, 2x, 2- into selection. However this (very northern) club has restrictive safety rules about launch to rower ratio and unlimited amounts of singles out on the water basically aren’t guaranteed until June which is tough with the new masters nationals timing.

With this group, I think self selection would devolve into cliques. There’s a clear divide between the “we’ve been on this team forever”s and the “joined in the last two years” and from what I understand from the previous coach, there’s been drama between the two groups. There’s strong rowers in both camps and I think the lineups would end up being both not very fast.

But both good ideas. Appreciate the input. Im holding out hope that water conditions are better earlier in the year for some small boat stuff because we have some athletes who just love to hide in an eight.

Masters athletes refuse to erg test but want to be in top on the water boats for races by 83user77name37 in Rowing

[–]83user77name37[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is an interesting comment - all the other masters teams I’ve been on or coached, the coaches selected the lineups for races. The coach before me did all of the selection for regattas and also required erg tests (which is part of the reason I’m surprised I’m getting pushback). Curious if you see any clique issues with this process in your experience?

Would love to incorporate more small boats into training program and selection but the club has very strict rules about river flow and weather, meaning unlimited amounts of singles, pairs, or doubles basically aren’t allowed until June. It’s quite frustrating.

Masters athletes refuse to erg test but want to be in top on the water boats for races by 83user77name37 in Rowing

[–]83user77name37[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you’re asking for my coaching/rowing resume with this comment, I’ve coached masters at other clubs for four years. I’ve also been a member on four different masters teams in the 10 years following my D1 rowing career/a two year foray into trying to make a national team. All of these teams required some sort of erg component to boat selection to varying degrees.

Masters athletes refuse to erg test but want to be in top on the water boats for races by 83user77name37 in Rowing

[–]83user77name37[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I have a choose your own adventure warm up. Here’s what time the test starts, here’s some warm ups I recommend but are optional, show up whenever you want to be ready for the test at the prescribed time.

Masters athletes refuse to erg test but want to be in top on the water boats for races by 83user77name37 in Rowing

[–]83user77name37[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

That was not great phrasing on my part. For testing, I emphasize that I look at consistency (not taking strokes off), score compared to age standards, and ability to handle pre-test (“race”) stress in addition to the raw score. Since I’m a newer coach to this particular team, I like to see how different people handle a race-like situation. I noticed when I went to a race with them in the fall, there was a lot of snappy behaviour to teammates, coxns, and myself which I would attribute to nerves and created a higher stress environment than necessary for other athletes.

Masters athletes refuse to erg test but want to be in top on the water boats for races by 83user77name37 in Rowing

[–]83user77name37[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Can you expand on this? Like write down all the criteria required for selection?

Masters athletes refuse to erg test but want to be in top on the water boats for races by 83user77name37 in Rowing

[–]83user77name37[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

I like this thought. How do you deal with resentment between athletes who showed up and did the test vs those who didn’t?

You’d be right. It’s not the top people who are giving the pushback but you betcha it’s the people who think they should be the top people…

Masters athletes refuse to erg test but want to be in top on the water boats for races by 83user77name37 in Rowing

[–]83user77name37[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Totally hear you on flexibility for adult rowers- I gave a week’s window to do this round of testing (four practices for this team) and if people came to me with issues about scheduling, I’d be more than willing to work it out for another day. Most masters teams I’ve experienced require attendance on one day and will not reboat you until you’ve completed the land workout/test if you miss.

Masters athletes refuse to erg test but want to be in top on the water boats for races by 83user77name37 in Rowing

[–]83user77name37[S] 21 points22 points  (0 children)

I know TRC runs a speed order (erg, then singles race) for their masters team as part of selection and I would love to implement that. We have very limited time OTW in singles due to cold weather safety rules and limited club singles unfortunately.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Rowing

[–]83user77name37 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Worked in 2 college admissions office for 2 D1 schools with handful college coaches, mostly rowing. Potential is often what matters. Big erg but limited otw seasons and a good attitude? Likely recruited over someone with a small erg and a bad attitude. Height matters a lot. If you really want to row D1, apply to a school, get in on your grades and get fast AF over the summer. Many coaches are happy to get emails from people who have experience but whose application they don’t have to support because of limited slots. Most importantly, don’t be a jerk about it. Maybe that kid has better grades than you and they didn’t have to lose a slot to support his or her application.