13th Edition 04/14/02

Learning rowing

With Jane Jacobson (Seattlelinks) and Charlotte Hollings

Two weeks ago our dear Jane was visiting a rowing camp. She wanted to reforce her skills. For me it was very interesting because I was looking for something similar and I didn't found it. I am sure rhis report is for our dry rowers very interesting too. First I asked directly in the camp (Charlotte Hollings was very helpfull) and then I asked Jane.
Do you offer courses also for beginners as me? Charlotte: "We do teach beginners as well as experienced rowers. All of our coaching is done in singles so that you can go at your own pace, starting with wide-bottomed stable shells and moving up into more racing-type shells as you get comfortable". How many hours is the training per day? Charlotte: "We offer three coached sessions a day. The first two begin with a talk and demonstration before going out on the water and the first is videotaped. After	"rowing on beautiful flat water"
breakfast we review the video before heading back out for the second row. The third row is a little more casual, with no talk or demonstration beforehand but coaching is available for those who want it". Can I practice alone? Charlotte: " We don't allow people to head out on the water by themselves but there really isn't much time for that anyway, we'll keep you pretty busy!"

"this is the dock"

And the most important question. How much?

Charlotte: "Our rates include everything - meals, accommodations, coaching, equipment usage and video critique. All you need to bring is yourself and clothes, we pretty much take care of the rest. Our rates vary depending on what room you choose. We have four different levels. Usually our sessions are 3 and 4 days but if you want to stay a week, we can do that too. The week session cost is computed by adding a 4-day and a 3-day and subtracting 15%. The per person price for a week would range from $1173 to $1440.75, the 3-day sessions range from $660 - $795 and the 4-days from $720 to $900".

But I am sure that you want to know about Jane's experiences

Hi Jane, and..How was your week in the camp?

Jane: "The camp was great! We saw otters, Osprey, Eagles every day! It was peaceful to row with so few people and to be coached! There were two families other than the 3 of us from the Seattle area. There were novices (people that had never rowed before) to the level I'm at. I'm sure more advanced level rowers attend the camp too, this is just what we had the week we were there".

"On a typical day we would get up and row at 7am (had to earn our breakfast!!) come back and have breakfast. We would then watch all of our videos while the coaches explained what we did good and what needed improvement. Charlotte and John were very patient coaches! After the video we would to row for another 2 hours. We would then come back for lunch. After lunch we had a 2 hour break. My girlfriends and I would go see the sights. I have to say, pretty quiet in Virginia!! After our break we would go row for another 2 hours, then come back for dinner. So it was row, eat, row ,eat, row, eat...good huh? :-) What a life to do that. Sometimes in the evenings the coach would give a talk or we'd read or watch a movie. The Inn was like being at home. All of our meals we ate together with the coaches. There is a swimming pool at the Inn, if you happen to go there in the summer".

"just admiring the nice water!"

"The water was just down the road, and we would get there by a bus that the coach drove. The boats that I used for the week were a Peinert and a Drew Harrison, they were both racing shells They have a variety of boats to chose from. All levels, of course!! At home I have a Bay 21 (which is a Pocock). My boat is not a racing shell, but I can work well on technique and train in it. They sent us home with the video tape they did of us while we were coached. The idea is to add to it and improve!! "