Crew is rowing, a sport that has been around for a long time. Today, rowing clubs, high school, and college teams can be found throughout the US, with National, World, and Olympic opportunities.

NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. We are always looking for new recruits to join the family :) There is a position and place for everybody.

Membership contributions are paid each semester. Non-drivers pay $125 and drivers pay $100.

In a rowing crew, the coxswain (cox) is the member who sits in the stern or bow of the boat, facing the direction the boat is going

The cox is a very important member of the rowing crew. Here are some of their duties:

• Keep the boat and rowers safe at all times by properly steering the boat
• Be an extension of the coach when the coach cannot be present
• Provide motivation and encouragement to the crew as they row
• Provide feedback on the crew’s performance both during and after a workout or race
• Make any necessary tactical decisions
• Organize and direct the crew at all times, both on and off the water

Rowers provide the power in a boat. They are what makes the boat move. We race sweep boats. This means that each rower has one oar each. Each rower in a boat is numbered from bow to stern, 1, 2, 3, 4, …. The rower sitting closest to the stern is called the stroke. The goal is to have all rowers execute each stroke in equal timing, perfect precision and balance, and with even power.

No! We race in long boats called shells. They are manned by four or eight rowers, sitting backwards on moving seats that ride on tracks called slides with their feet tied into a pair of shoes mounted on foot stretchers. All of our sweep boats have a single oar mounted in a rigger in order to propel the boat as fast as possible.

There are 2 major types of races that we participate in:

1. Fall racing is characterized by races that are 5000m in length. These are called head races. Boats are started at intervals and race against the clock.
2. Spring racing is characterized by races that are 1500m-2000m in length. These are sprints and boats are raced side by side.

Winners are the crew that completes the distance in the shortest amount of time and time penalties may be assessed for any infractions on the course.

Regattas are races that rowing crews compete in.

All regattas typically have officials, referees, and course workers who help with starting, monitoring, and finishing races.

It’s always fun going to a regatta. Once you get there, teams usually hunker down in the same area where they load/unload and rig/derig their boats. Here you can see rowers from different schools and clubs stretching before their races, hanging out, and even napping in hammocks. There are also many tents and stands full of regatta apparel you can purchase from!

Determination and discipline are two words that any rower lives by, but here at UMD we also look for individuals who are trying to have a great time and want to be a part of our family.

Anyone can go to a regatta. Whether you race or not depends on your reliability in terms of showing up to practices and your 2k/5k erg times. Family, friends, and Alumni are welcome too!

Close regattas typically last all day and regattas that are further away last 2 days.

We have competed at regattas in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia

Yes! Every year at the end of the spring semester.

Of course! From socials and fundraising events to team dinners and game nights, there is always an opportunity to spend time with the team. We even have group study sessions to remind us that we’re students first!

Yup! Many rowers on our team also have 8ams so we make sure to put them in a car that can leave early after practice ends.

Nope! Not once :) 4s and 8s are surprisingly hard to flip over.