• You must be a student at Augusta State University.
• You must maintain a GPA of 2.0 or better
• Athletic Ability - a previous background in sports is desirable but not a requirement. Previous experience rowing at the high school level is also not a requirement. The majority of our team members have had no prior experience. An average physical condition with good health would be the necessary basis for starting in this sport.
• Weight Categories - Collegiate rowing has two categories of competition, lightweight and heavyweight. Lightweight men must weigh 160 lbs or less. Lightweight women must weigh 135 lbs or less. All other weights greater than these will qualify a rower as a heavyweight. Coxswains generally weigh 120 lbs or less.
• Rules and Practices - We conduct practices in a club setting but in a varsity level manner. You are expected to be at practice and obey team rules. In order to be competitive against other schools, the minimum time commitments for practices are 3 times a week, 2 hours per practice. As soon as your boat / weight class and teammates have been determined, practice times will accommodate class times and work schedules.
• Dues - No dues are required.  The club is funded by Student Activities at ASU.
• Travel - Most regattas will require travel. For regattas, the teams leaves the Friday morning before the regatta and will usually return before Sunday evening. Races are as close as Atlanta and as far as Knoxville. Exceptions are made for boats that are very successful or are invited to championship races in Philadelphia and Boston to represent Augusta State at the national level.

DOES AUGUSTA STATE OFFER SCHOLARSHIPS FOR ROWING?
No, we are a club sport with partial funding from the university.

HOW MUCH EXPERIENCE DO I NEED?
None, in fact the majority of past students have no experience with this sport.

HOW ATHLETIC DO I NEED TO BE?
Past experience playing other sports is a plus, however, not having an athletic background is ok. Afterall, most people have never participated in this sport and we train them to be rowers anyway.

WHO TYPICALLY JOINS THE TEAM?
Any student at Augusta State. We provide an equal opportunity for everyone.

HOW DO I GET STARTED?
In August, we will start bringing in students to teach them basic technique. Any Augusta State student is welcome. There will be a grace period for students to see if they would like to do this. No one is ever "cut" from our team. After the grace period is over, usually around the end of August, you will be considered apart of the team.

WHO CAN I EXPECT TO COMPETE AGAINST?
Forget about the "peach belt conference". We compete against club and varsity teams from all over the eastern seaboard. Occasionally you will row against teams from across the country. The majority of these schools are division I programs. Few students take advantage of the opportunity to represent Augusta State in this way.

WHEN DO I COMPETE?
Rowing is a year round sport divided into two seasons. The fall season starts in September and ends in November. These races are against the clock over a distance of 5000 meters. The spring season starts in March and ends in May. These races are sprint races over a distance of 2000 meters against as many as six schools at one time.

HOW LONG ARE THESE BOATS ANYWAY?
A two person boat can be about 30 feet. An eight person boat can be as long as 60 feet.

WHO STEERS THE BOAT?
The coxswain or "cox" for short steers the boat. These individuals generally weigh less than 120 lbs to keep the boat competitive.

I HEARD THAT ROWING IS AN ELITIST SPORT?
No, this is a common misconception/stereotype. Rowing originated in the U.S. among the Ivy League schools. That is where this misconception comes from. Any Augusta State student from any background can participate in our club.

WHY SHOULD I JOIN?
Why not?? Joining ASU crew is an opportunity of a lifetime!

Return to Home