Frequently Asked Questions

Why Row?

There are many advantages of competitive and recreational rowing compared to other sports. The benefits include:

Full body workout using all of the major muscle groups (legs, abdomen, back, arms)
Low impact on joints.
Wide range of muscle and joint movement for greater flexibility.
High calorie burner per unit time and distance for greater efficiency.
Simultaneously builds strength and aerobic conditioning.
Indoor and outdoor rowing is versatile.
Being part of a team is fun, social and rewarding.

Why Scull?

The major difference between sweeping and sculling is that in the former each rower has one oar and in the latter two oars. In addition to sweeping, the SCRC emphasizes the sculling experience in smaller boats. The advantages include:

Small boats encourage better stroke mechanics because imperfections are more obvious;
Scullers have a better sense of boat balance and can more easily set a boat;
Colleges coaches seek out scullers because they can row both sides of a sweep boat;
College coaches do not have to correct bad habits previously acquired in large sweep boats;
Sweep rowing may be detrimental to developing bodies because of complications associated with asymmetical muscle development.

Read more about the Advantages of Sculling.

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What to Bring to a Regatta?

SCRC Parents Regatta Survival Tips

If you are rower or parent, here is a handy outline of what to bring...

SCRC Parents Regatta Survival Tips

For additional information on how to prepare for a regatta, see the Races & Results webpage.

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What Should I Eat Pre-Event and During Competition?

Sport Dieticians of Australia recommend comfortable meals with sufficient energy and hydration, and a diet low in fat and fiber and high in carbohydrates.

Read more about Recommended Meals and Diets.

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Vocabulary

USRowing's Glossary of Rowing Terms

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Safety

Do I need to wear a life jacket?

Youth under the age of 13 must wear personal flotation devices (PFDs), which SCRC provides. PFDs can be worn at any age, if the rower or parent has a concern.

Do I need to complete a swim test?

Yes. Every member of SCRC and every high school rower needs to prove his/her swimming ability. We must have written record that a certified lifeguard has observed your ability to:

Swim 150 yards
Remain afloat for 5 minutes
Put on a PFD while treading water

If you have current swim, lifeguard, or scuba certification documents, copies of these can be submitted to fulfill the swim requirement.

Where can I get a swim test completed?

Since we have not pool facilities at our location, participants are responsible for getting the swim test taken care of on their own. We suggest you try the local YMCA pool.

When is the swim test due?

A copy of your swim test must be submitted within two weeks of the first day of the rowing program in which you are participating.

What can I do to stay safe on the water?

1. Read the Safety Manual, located in the weight room. (Also, please sign it, to verify that you have read and understood its contents.)
2. Always listen to your coaches. They know the river, they are watching the weather, and your safety is their first concern.
3. Stay out of the middle of the river, to the inside of the buoys. Barges and motorized craft travel in the center of the river.
4. Beware of dams at either end of this pool of the Allegheny River! If you have any question about how dangerous these can be—and where to turn around, ask your coaches.
5. Stay within sight of the launch (the boat that the coaches follow you in) and with your group of rowers.
6. No talking while you are rowing. Only designated coxswains or bowspersons of a boat may speak.

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Equipment

Who owns the boats and oars?

Many are the personal property of Dori and Laci Tompa. The others are owned by members of SCRC, who allow us to use them. (This is in addition to those owned by W.T.) Rowers are borrowing these boats, which is why it is so important that we are careful with every piece of equipment.

How much are boats and oars?

An eight costs upwards of $20,000. Oars are $250 each. The cost of repairing a boat that becomes punctured can be $2,000.

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Membership

What does my membership in SCRC pay for?

For juniors, coaching at each session. For adults, coaching is provided on a limited basis.
Use of boats and oars and their storage
Cost of minor repairs to equipment
Use of indoor equipment
Use of facilities—dock, club house

What extra costs should I budget for?

Racing fees, which include the race entry fee that the sponsoring organization charges, hotel, some food, coaches’ costs, and transportation. For week-long races (nationals), this has cost about $400. The cost for the Head of the Ohio is about $80. Dori will provide an estimate of the costs/race prior to each race.

What are my membership responsibilities?

Help with fund raising.
Being part of a work crew that maintains our club
Volunteering to teach newer rowers and participating in community service that the Club performs (e.g. Row for the Cure)

Why do we do fund raisers?

Memberships pay for approximately 20 percent of SCRC’s costs. The balance is paid through fund raising.

Part of our fund raising is selling items like Entertainment Books and pies. We try to incorporate incentives for you to sell, such as offsetting your membership fee by the amount you sell over a certain minimum.

The bottom line is that, without, additional funds, the cost of membership would be $3,000 per year per rower.

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