Mission:

Overview:

Rowers that have prior rowing experience and are in good physical condition are encouraged to contact the Competitive Men’s Program Representative Michael Zgoda or Competitive Women’s Program Representative Fana Gebeyehu-Houston so they may be evaluated for this program.  The rower should also have a solid understanding of rowing technique and boat issues such as set, run and timing.  Age for competitive master's rowers ranges from 21 all the way to 70. Capital's Competitive Team is coached by two former elite-level rowers who won both Olympic and World Championship medals.

Objectives:

• Competitive level program
• Advanced boat concepts
• Competitive level conditioning
• Erg testing
• High level competition

Admittance into the competitive program is done on an individual basis with no set guidelines. The decision to accept a rower into the competitive program rests solely at the competitive coaches’ discretion. Interested rowers must submit a 2K erg score before try-outs, including 500m, 1000, 1500m, and 2000m splits. Team try-outs are held the first week of practice in late March and the last week in August, however the competitive team will also consider individual try-outs mid-season. The first 2000m erg test for the 2010 season is tenatively set for Sunday, March 28, 2010 at 9:00am. Please contact team reps for more information.

The Capital Competitive Men’s and Women’s programs enjoy a balance of racing and club spirit. Crews train hard but also pitch in to accomplish whatever needs to be done from loading trailers to repainting oars or helping out novice rowers. Being a part of the competitive program at Capital means joining a team of rowers that participate in community and club events as well as regattas and practices. Competitive rowers are expected to participate in a minimum of two Capital volunteer events per membership year.

Attendance:

The competitive rower is expected to attend all practices, regattas and erg tests unless the coach has given prior special exception.  The rowing season runs April through November.

Workouts:

Practices are held Monday through Friday at 5:20 am until 6:50 am of the rowing season (rain or shine).  Erg tests are given periodically throughout the year and generally occur on the weekends.

Racing:

Capital’s Competitive Men and Women row in both Sprint (1000m-2000m) and Head Races (up to 5000m or 3.1 miles). Regattas typically occur on the weekends and are usually within a few hours driving distance from DC. Capital's spring season culminates in mid-August at the US Rowing Master's Nationals which rotates location every year.

Equipment: Vespoli

• 8 man coxed sweep boats (8+)
• 4 man coxed sweep boats (4+)