Shaker Rowing Association Handbook - 2
OPERATIONAL INFORMATION
Shaker Crew is co-ed and had over 100 rowers participate in the Spring 2001 rowing season. Shaker Rowing Association currently operates three (3) seasons of rowing.
The scholastic Fall season will consist mainly of "Head Races". Head races are traditionally long races (usually 3 miles in length) and require a great deal of endurance and stamina. The Fall season of crew usually begins during the first full week of school in September and runs through the end of October. Winter training (indoor rowing, endurance, and strength training) will be expected to begin some time in January to prepare for the Spring rowing season and continue until water practice begins some time in March.
The scholastic Spring season will consist primarily of sprint races (usually 1500 meters in length). The Spring rowing season begins with the onset of water training in March and continues through the end of May or early June.
The Summer programs begin after the end of the school year is completed and run through mid-August. In addition to Shaker Junior (8th graders only) and Senior High School students, our Summer programs are opened to all Town of Colonie residents.
WHAT IS CREW?
Crew is the ultimate team sport requiring the highest degree of dedication and commitment. Eight (8) or four (4) rowers and one (1) coxswain (pronounced cox-in) must work almost flawlessly to make the boats move quickly through the water. Rowers appear as though they are moving backwards as their seats slide on a set of tracks within the boat frame. The coxswain's job is not only to steer the boat, but also to motivate the crew and keep them working together at a prescribed pace.
There are two types of rowing: sweep rowing and sculling. Sweep rowers use only one oar each while scullers have two oars. Shaker rowers participate mainly in sweep events, but on occasion may row in a few sculling events.
VARSITY LETTER POLICY