Novice/Walk-On Information
 

Below are answers to frequently asked questions for potential OU rowing student-athletes. View more information about the sport here.
 
Do I need experience to try-out for the team?
No. We have a "novice" team designed for first-year rowers, including many with no prior experience. You will spend a year with this team learning the sport with many others who are also new to rowing. We also have a "varsity" team for those who have rowed in high school or who have finished their novice year.

What do I need to do to try-out?
There will be an informational meeting the first week of school in the fall. This year’s meeting will be held on Monday, Aug. 27 at 6:00 p.m. at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. More information is availalbe here. At the meeting, we will hand out some paperwork, talk about the team, introduce the coaching staff and some current rowers and further explain the tryout process. If you cannot attend the meeting, please email Coach Gresson. 

If I don't know how to row, how will you decide who makes the team at tryouts?
Tryouts will last four days beginning Tuesday, Sept. 4, and running through Saturday, Sept. 8. You will spend time learning how to row in a boat as well as on rowing machines (ergometers). We will also do different activities to determine your athletic ability. We are looking for overall athletic ability and a positive attitude. Most of all, we are looking for individuals who show the most potential as a rower and team player.

Are there different positions on the team?
Yes. There are port and starboard positions for the rowers. Port side rowers use an oar that is attached to the left side of the boat and starboards use one attached to the right side. There is also the position of "coxswain". The coxswain sits in the stern (and sometimes bow) of the boat, and is responsible for steering, calling commands, assisting with technique, and providing motivation for the rowers during racing and practices. If you are less than 120 lbs., you may want to consider becoming a coxswain.

How big is the team?
There will be approximately 50 rowers on the novice roster.

What are practices like and how often are they?
After the initial try-out period, practices will start out 5 days a week, about 1½ to 2 hours a day. Once we get closer to our first fall race, we will begin practices 6 days a week and continue with that schedule for the rest of the year. Practices vary slightly depending on the time of year, but they usually entail rowing on the water, rowing on the rowing machines (ergometers), running, lifting, and flexibility/body core exercises. During the fall semester, we will come up with a practice schedule that will accommodate your class schedule.

Where does the team practice?
Water practices will take place at the Exchange Boathouse along the Oklahoma River until the new OU Boathouse is constructed. Land practices will take place on campus in the intercollegiate athletic facilities. OU shares its home course on the scenic Oklahoma River with the United States training center. Located in Oklahoma City’s Boathouse District, it is one of the world’s premier sites for rowing.

How long is the rowing season?
There are actually two seasons. We begin training for the fall season in September and race in October and November. The fall races are longer, usually about 3 miles in length. When we return from the winter break in January, we begin training for our championship season, which runs March through May. The majority of racing is 2000 meters or about 1 ¼ miles.

Does the novice team get to travel too?
Yes. The novice and varsity squads travel together to most competitions around the country. We typically travel with 4 to 5 boats of athletes, as there are different events and boat classifications.

How much will it cost?
As an intercollegiate student-athlete at OU, almost all of your costs associated with rowing will be covered. You will only be required to pay for a nominal fees associated with registration with the NCAA. We will cover the costs of uniforms, travel, and other expenses related to being a student-athlete.