<p>Okay, sorry guys, bear with me here. I'm a prospective student from the Midwest (read: no where near a body of water let alone a crew program), and I have a lot of questions about rowing at Harvard. If there are any current students able to share, please do! </p>
<p>If an incoming student is interested in participating in crew at Harvard, but they've never rowed before, is there a place for them? When I visited the school I think that someone mentioned that they have a club team that is friendly to novices, but I can't be certain. It's something that I would absolutely love to try if I can-- I'm currently a runner and a tennis player but I'm not competitive enough to participate at a DI level, so I'm thinking about giving another sport a shot (this is all, of course, assuming I get in...).</p>
<p>What is an acceptable erg score for a varsity rower? Club? Is there anyone out there that can tell me more about the crew program in general?</p>
<p>If you look up the latest Crash B erg scores (2K) you will find the top 5
(Open Men) Harvard entrants had times of 05:59:8 through 06:06:9;
on the lightweight men side it was ~6:15 to 6:28.</p>
<p>I am not sure though if they would clock you with 6X500m splits (like the US team);
you would have to check with someone on the Harvard crew team.</p>
<p>…but why would you want to get up at the gadawful time in the
morning when others are just going to sleep :)</p>
<p>Harvard crew is probably more intense than crew at UPenn, but my friend’s boyfriend went to UPenn and tried out for crew even though he’d never done it before, and made the team. Crew is really big at my highschool and I think you just have to be really strong. I know there is a technique, but if you’re in really good shape, you may make it. :)</p>
<p>Harvard is traditionally a national power in crew. The men won the NCAA championship a few years ago, defeating big time schools such as those from the Big-10 and Pac-10. So it may not be impossible to walk-on at Harvard, but you’re going to have to be pretty talented to make the team.</p>
<p>Harvard Crew is indeed a powerhouse. The founder of Gentle Giant Movers, Larry O’Toole (6’6"), rowed for Northeastern and he continues to recruit rowers (there was Boston Magazine cover article about him some time ago0. We moved into a new house one year and all the movers were members of the Harvard crew. The following week they were off to the Seoul Olympics where they got the got medal. </p>
<p>For the occasional rower, there is Community Boating across the river.</p>
<p>OP- You can indeed go out for women’s novice (freshmen) crew with little or no experience. The workouts will be early in the morning (~ 6:30 a.m.) for the first few weeks- this process weeds out the uncommitted. There are both lightweight and heavyweight women’s teams, and many successful rowers began as walk-ons.</p>
<p>The crew men are 6’ or taller (most 6’3"+) for heavyweight crew, and the lightweight men are around 5’9"-6’1". For women, the heavyweights are of course taller (5’7"-6’0"), lightweights shorter. Obviously strength and muscular development are crucial factors.</p>