Looking FOR Those who will Win
Every year, UNC Men's Rowing recruits 30-40 new student athletes ready to represent the Tarheels on the national stage. We primarily look for students with previous athletic experience, but don’t expect anyone to come in with rowing experience. Below you will find a breakdown of everything a new rower should expect throughout their novice year, from recruitment to training to competing for a national championship at the end of May.
The First Few Weeks
You and other new rowers will attend an interest meeting, meet your older teammates, learn how to get to and from our on and off campus training sites, meet the coaching staff, and start to take your first strokes. We take it slow at the beginning to let you get accustomed to your new schedule while still offering daily coached sessions to help you improve your fitness and mechanics. The more you practice, the faster you'll become.
On September 8th the novice team will do a timed 4k piece on the rowing machine, after which we will officially select the 2023-2024 novice roster. Selection will be based on attendance, athleticism, and attitude displayed over the first few weeks.
Fall/Winter Training and Racing
You should expect to train a minimum of 5 times per week during the fall season. Training sessions include time on the water, training in the erg-room, and time in the weight room. All Novice practice sessions (other than Saturday AM) take place in the afternoon. We teach you proper aerobic conditioning, strength training, recovery, and nutrition. See the fall practice schedule below.*
*Some of you may have labs/classes during that time. Not to worry! You will be able to figure something out with your coaches.
Every rower has one year of eligibility as a novice as soon as they compete in their first race. First-year rowers will compete against other first-year rowers. Novices will race three times over the fall season at 'head' races in High Point (NC), Chattanooga (TN), and Charlottesville (VA). The Varsity Team races at all of those events, as well as at the Head of the Charles in Boston.
!NEW!
“Gear Day” is on 9/21
Once you make the racing roster you will receive a UNC Rowing Backpack that includes the following items:
UNC Rowing Training and Racing Tank-tops
UNC Rowing Racing “Trou”
A UNC Rowing Travel Polo Shirt
A UNC ROWING Lightweight/Hooded UV-Shirt
Spring Training and Racing
Much like the Fall season, just a lot more exciting with side-by-side sprint racing. In January before classes resume, the team travels to Vero Beach, FL for a week-long training trip. We spend the rest of the winter training indoors to build fitness for spring racing. As soon as we return from our Spring Break training trip (location TBD), we start the main part of the racing season. We race in Philadelphia (PA), Oak Ridge (TN), Gainesville (GA), and more. The season culminates at the American Collegiate Rowing Championships from May 16-May 18.
TL;DR -- Why Row?
As a rower, you will...
Have access to the Stallings Athletic Training Center for UNC Olympic Sport Athletes
Travel up and down the eastern seaboard
Race in Philly, Boston, Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee
Winter Break Training Trip in Vero Beach Florida
Spring break Training trip (TBD)
Earn team merch/gear/swag/etc
Compete on the national stage as a Tarheel
