Rowing Club Stretching Out – Bigger & Better Than Ever!

By: 26497 Ncdt (III) Matthew Noonan

One of RMCC’s two competitive on the water sports began its season this week. The RMCC Rowing club made its debut with a series of tryouts and from the 26 to the 28 of August.

Experienced members of the club were given the chance to get on the water prior to the tryouts in the first few days that the cadets were present at the college. Some members of the club also rowed recreationally at the club over the summer; however, no competitions were entered in due to the unique university schedule of RMCC.

Tryouts began on the 26th with an ergometer, or rowing machine, test of a 2000m sprint. An extremely important part of the tryouts an “erg test” allows the coaching staff to determine an athlete’s fitness level independent of the demanding need for concentration and steep learning curve of on the water training. Such a test puts athletes new to the sport on a more equal footing with returning athletes and improves their chances of making the team. The second day of tryouts followed with a similar indoor piece to the first. On the third and final day of tryouts all prospective club members were given the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, or to build new ones on the water. A fun and exciting experience rowing on the water is very different from rowing indoors on an exercise machine giving the coaching staff the chance to evaluate an athlete’s actual skill and experience.

After a lengthy determination process the club executive announced its choice of a new competitive club. Much larger than the previous seasons team the RMCC competitive rowing club now boasts a full roster of 16 rowers and 3 coxswains. These athletes, both new and returning are divided into a Men’s 8, Men’s 4, and Women’s 4. The Men’s 8, with the largest group of returning rowers is looking to build on the success of the previous fall season during which the crew did not place out of the top ten in any of its races. The Men’s 4 and Women’s 4, both of which are crewed by rowers new to the competitive season are looking for similar success.

The RMCC Men’s 8 includes a crew member from outside Canada for this upcoming season. Michael Friegang is a German exchange student who will be living and studying at RMCC this fall semester. A rower with previous experience from his home in Germany he brings helpful extra experience to the RMCC Rowing Club.

RMCC’s Rowing Club will not only be maintaining a competitive roster throughout the year, but, will also be maintaining a recreational portion of the club as well. The recreational club is open to all officer cadets, military members, and civilians in the Kingston area. It is a great opportunity to become familiar with the sport of rowing while increasing fitness level and having fun. In addition, for cadets who wish to make the competitive roster in upcoming years the recreational portion of the club offers a chance to build your skills and presents a venue where hard work and dedication to the club will be noticed. This greatly increases a new rower’s chance of competing for RMCC in future competitions.

The RMCC Competitive Rowing Club will not be fielding any competitive sculling boats this season due to coaching manpower restrictions.

Everyone in the RMCC Rowing Club is looking forward to a successful season and hopes to have many future stories to share with everyone here at eVERITAS.