About Mount Crew

Girls interested in crew usually have many questions - and their parents usually have even more!  This page provides answers to frequently asked questions for girls who are thinking about trying out for crew at the Mount and their parents.

What is crew?  |  Will I make the team?  |  Typical crew schedule  |  Parent information  | Directions to the Mount Boathouse

What is Crew?

Crew, or rowing, is a sport where a group of athletes (the crew) pull on oars in unison to propel the boat (the shell) over a set distance - the fastest boat wins. 

Novice training involves rowing on ergometers (indoor rowing machines), running, and strength training 6 days a week.  Once the river thaws in mid-February, rowing outdoors begins.  The spring season runs from January through Memorial Day weekend. 

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Will I make the team?

Rowers are evaluated in three areas: physical (how fast do you run, how hard can you row); technical (how well do you apply your strength to making the boat go fast); and attitude (are you a team player, do you strive to improve).  Novice cuts will be made in February based on these three factors. 

Rowers vary in their height, weight, and build.  Two classifications exist in rowing for high school women: lightweight (130lbs or under) and open (no weight limit).  Rowing also requires a team member called a coxswain.  This person is usually very small, as they do not row, but they are responsible for steering the boat and encouraging the crew.

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Typical Crew schedule

Fall is the recreational season and runs from September through Thanksgiving.  Varsity practices are held four days a week, with races on the weekends. 

Typical fall schedule:

Typical winter schedule:

Typical spring schedule:

 Mon / Wed / Thurs

5:30–7:30pm

 Mon – Fri  

5:30–7:00pm

 Mon

OFF

 Sat  

10 – noon

 Sat   

10am–noon

 Tues – Fri

5:30–7:30pm

 Race day  

time varies

 Sun

OFF

 Sat 

10am–noon

 

 

 

 

 Sun (practice) 

10am–1pm

 

 

 

 

 Sun (races) 

8am–6pm

Winter / spring is the competitive season for crew and runs from January to June.  Practices, both varsity and novice, are held 5 days a week.  Regattas are held on Sundays from mid-March to June. 

Crew also practices during spring break, two or three times a day.  All rowers are expected to attend spring break practices.  Family vacations should not be scheduled during this break!

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Parent information

Mount Crew is funded mainly by the Crew Parents Association.  Rowing fees are collected at the beginning of each season.  These funds are used to purchase or rent equipment (boats, oars, boathouse space).  A detailed annual budget is prepared by the coaches and reviewed and approved by the Crew Parents Association in the fall.  Fall fees are $300 per rower, winter / spring fees are $650 per rower. 

Uniforms consist of a unisuit and a long-sleeve Lycra top.  The uniform design is the same for all Mount Crew rowers, so the uniform is a one‑time purchase; uniforms cost ~$120.  Mount Crew also offers the option of purchasing a pull-over Gore-Tex crew jacket for an additional ~$200. 

The Crew Parents Association is also very active during the year.  Parent Chairs lead fund-raising activities, such as cocktail parties and clothing sales.  In addition, the Crew Parents Association is responsible for the Mount Crew tent, which is set up along the shores of the river during all spring races.  The tent provides a meeting place for Mount Crew parents, as well as a viewing area of the regatta.  Food and drinks are also available at the tent. 

Volunteers are always needed – there is a job to suit everyone!

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