Season Overview
The Marietta High School Rowing team offers both Fall and Spring seasons, with rowing in both providing a significant advantage. Fall focuses on developing technical skills and physical conditioning through fewer, longer races. Spring is the primary competitive season, featuring a higher number of shorter, side-by-side sprint races that lead from local to national competitions. While it's preferable for students to participate in both fall and spring rowing, we understand that many rowers are involved in other fall sports, meaning it may not be feasible for them to be a part of our fall rowing program.

Coaching Responsibility
The number one focus of the coaching staff is the safety of the rowers at all times.  The staff will ensure all school, boathouse, and team policies are communicated appropriately and applied on an objective basis to all team members.  Altogether, the coaching staff will work to positively develop all students who demonstrate a willingness to work hard and show a commitment to the team.

Team Structure
Our team consists of both women’s and men’s groups, with rowers categorized into freshmen, novices (first-year), lightweight (under 130 lbs for women and under 150 lbs for men), junior varsity, and varsity. Boat lineups are flexible and can change based on team chemistry and individual performance.

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Boats and Lineups
Rowers have the opportunity to compete in various boats, including coxed 8’s (eight rowers with a coxswain), coxed 4’s (four rowers with a coxswain), and occasionally singles or doubles.
 

Boat lineups are a crucial aspect of coaching and are determined based on several factors. A boat that seems slow on paper might perform unexpectedly well, while a lineup that looks promising might underperform. Therefore, lineups are not based on personal preferences or biases but on objective criteria, found here.

 

Practice Schedule

Practices begin in January after winter break, running Monday through Friday after school and on Saturday mornings. Attendance is crucial throughout the season. Regular participation is expected, as absences or tardiness without a documented excuse (e.g., a doctor’s appointment) can result in losing your seat or position to another rower or coxswain. Both indoor and water practice line-ups are planned in advance, and any absence can disrupt the entire schedule and impact the team.

While some scheduling conflicts may arise, especially due to overlapping athletic seasons, practices generally cannot be adjusted to accommodate individual conflicts. Rowers must carefully consider their commitment to the team and understand that their choices affect not only their future but also their teammates. Conflicts related to other sports will be handled on a case-by-case basis by the head coach.

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Commitment and Growth
Rowing is a demanding sport that requires significant athleticism, cardiovascular endurance, and commitment, with mastery of the rowing stroke typically taking two to three years. It fosters a close-knit, supportive team environment and helps rowers develop skills in teamwork, time management, and focus.