The following is a list of frequently asked questions geared towards incoming freshman and current Case students and faculty. If you require anymore information, please send us your information and question via our Interest Form. Click on one of the following subject areas to view FAQs about the area.
Dues and Membership
- Q: What if I join and I decide that rowing isn't right for me?
- Q: You have to realize I'm a broke college student, I can't afford joining the club, can I?
- Q: What kind of collegiate competition do we face at regattas?
- Q: Where does Case Crew row?
- Q: Is there any traveling involved?
- Q: What costs are covered by my dues?
- Q: I'm an incoming freshman student, when can I meet the club and sign up?
Scheduling
- Q: I have a busy schedule, what is the practice schedule like?
- Q: I hate waking up early in the morning. Will I have to if I join?
- Q: I don't know if I'll be able to row because I have to focus on my schoolwork. Any advice?
Rowing/Training
- Q: I've never rowed before in my life, I'm probably no good, right?
- Q: I have never rowed before and would like to learn. Will someone have time to teach me?
- Q: I've used the rowing machine at the gym a couple of times. Can I go straight to the varsity team?
- Q: I'm an incoming freshman who has never rowed before, but I know I'm going to join. What can I do to train over the summer?
Dues and Membership
Q: What if I join and I decide that rowing isn't right for me?
A: You'll love rowing, don't worry about it. But, if for some reason you don't enjoy it, have you considered becoming a coxswain? If you are of small stature (under 5'5" and under 150 lbs.), this could be an excellent solution for you and the team. A coxswain, an integral part of a crew, steers the boat and motivates the rowers. You can still be a part of the team PLUS your membership dues are lower than that of rowers.
However, if coxing isn't the path you would like to take, we do not demand dues before your first time on the water. We will let you row with us for free for a month before we ask for dues. You should have plenty of time to decide whether rowing is right for you before joining the team.
Q: You have to realize I'm a broke college student, I can't afford joining the club, can I?
A: Compared to other athletic clubs at Case, our dues are more affordable. The actual dues vary from season to season, however you can expect dues to be $170 per semester for rowers and $110 for coxswains.
Q: What kind of collegiate competition do we face at regattas?
A: The competition will vary from regatta to regatta however we regularly compete against Duquesne, John Carroll University, Carnegie Mellon, Ohio State, Cleveland State, Baldwin-Wallace, University of Dayton, Michigan State, University of Cincinnati, Xavier, and University of Pittsburgh to name a few.
A: We row on the Cuyahoga river in downtown Cleveland, right outside of tower city. The trip to the boathouse takes about 15 minutes by car and 30 minutes by RTA Rapid. You can find directions to our boathouse here.
Q: Is there any traveling involved?
A: Certainly! Crew is the best way to get off of campus for a couple of weekends. Last year we traveled to cities like Pittsburgh, Toledo, Columbus, and Charleston, and a select few even got to travel to Boston to participate in the Head of the Charles regatta.
Q: What costs are covered by my dues?
A: For both the Fall and Spring Semesters, dues cover boathouse access, voting rights, use of Case Crew's boats, oars, and other equipment, entry fees, and most travel costs (with the exception of gas and food).
Q: I'm an incoming freshman student, when can I meet the club and sign up?
A: We will most likely have a booth at the Fall Student Activities Fair which is held the weekend before the first day of classes. Come visit us and you will be able to meet the coaches and members and sign up for an information session.
Scheduling
Q: I have a busy schedule, what is the practice schedule like?
A: The practice schedule will vary based on whether you are a novice or a varsity oarsman as well as the season. Refer to the table below for a typical amount of practices per week based on men's or women's team; varsity or novice; and season.
|
|
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
Varsity |
Men |
5 water practices before classes and weekends 1 lifting 1 ergometer |
7 gym practices w/ergometer & weight workouts in the evening |
6 water practices 1 lifting |
|
Women |
3 - 4 water practices after classes 1 - 2 ergometer workous after classes |
5 - 6 gym practices w/ergometer & weight workouts after classes |
3 - 4 water practices after classes 1 - 2 ergometer workouts after classes |
Novice |
Men |
3 water practices after classes |
7 gym practices w/ergometer & weight workouts in the evening |
6 water practices 1 lifting |
|
Women |
3 water practices after classes |
4 - 5 gym practices w/ergometer & weight workouts in the evening |
(schedule-dependent) |
Practice frequency and times change every semester as we try to work with class schedules as we recognize that school comes first before rowing.
Q: I hate waking up early in the morning. Will I have to if I join?
A: No one likes waking up early in the morning at first, however if you join the club as a novice, you won't have to worry about waking up before the sun rises. Novices practice in the afternoon after classes. We hope that by the end of the your novice year, you'll love rowing so much that waking up in for early morning practices won't matter as long as you get in a boat.
However, in the past, the novice teams have practiced in the afternoon. So you may not have to worry about waking up early AT ALL.
Q: I don't know if I'll be able to row because I have to focus on my schoolwork. Any advice?
A: One of the best pieces of advice that people give regarding college is to get involved. It is understood that college is a time for intensive-learning, however some people forget that it is more. It is a time to grow, meet new people, find new interests, and have a good time. Find some group, club, sport, activity or interest group and participate. Case Crew is an excellent supplement to anyone's college experience.
Rowing/Training Questions
Q: I've never rowed before in my life, I'm probably no good, right?
A: Guess what, most of the current members have no rowing experience prior to college. The reason is that rowing isn't as widely available at the high school level, as say baseball, basketball, or swimming. Actually, most rowing programs expect a large number of unskilled, first year rowers, known as novices, to join the team. During the first season, the novices are taught the basics and at the end of the season they compete against other novices from other schools. Faculty and staff are also welcome to join the team.
Q: I have never rowed before and would like to learn. Will someone have time to teach me?
A: Definitely! Coach Fraser Hewson coaches the men's novice (first year rowers) team while Coach Chris Sheridan coaches both the women's varsity and novice teams separately. With many years of rowing experience under their belts, they will spend hours teaching you how to become an experienced oarsman yourself. You will find that many of our current members would love to extend a helping hand to teach people how to row as well.
Q: I've used the rowing machine at the gym a couple of times. Can I go straight to the varsity team?
A: That will all depend on your form. One thing that people often overlook is that rowing on a rowing machine is different than rowing on the water. In 9 out of 10 situations, people who taught themselves how to row on a rowing machine without any coaching or reading develop inefficient and sometimes injurious technique. Nonetheless, the coaches will spend some extra time with you to determine your placement. After all, you could be a natural!
Q: I'm an incoming freshman who has never rowed before, but I know I'm going to join. What can I do to train over the summer?
A: Since the fall season is the distance racing season, it would be beneficial to do a 30 - 45 minute jog, 60 - 90 minute bike, or some other sustained cardio exercise 4 times per week plus a lifting workout once a week with an emphasis on the lower body (squats, power cleans, leg press, leg extension, leg curls, etc.).