Has anyone here been on the crew/rowing team?

<p>I was thinking of joining the crew team in the fall. I am an incoming freshman, and while I'm not THAT athletic, I do enjoy running and working out. I was also in marching band and color guard for a year, if that counts as a sport? Well, marching band and color guard got me accustomed to early morning practices. </p>

<p>Our school says that no experience is required, since a week before move in they have a clinic where they basically teach you how to row. I really want to do it, it looks super cool, and like it would be a lot of fun (I know it'll be a lot of hard work!)</p>

<p>I'm afraid though, that since it'll be freshman year, I might get too overwhelmed and not be able to manage everything. I thought I did pretty good junior year in Marching band, we had practices every Saturday the entire day, and 3 times a week after class the entire year from 3-6:30 for orchestra. I know this might take more commitment though.</p>

<p>Thoughts/opinions? Anyone have any experience or stories to share?</p>

<p>Joining the rowing team in college was one of the best decisions I ever made. Do it.</p>

<p>I think it depends on which classes your taking and, like everything when it comes to first time college experiences, how good your time management skills are. From the looks of it, you seem to have some experience with the time schedule of a sports person. But just think about what your schedule will be like and add in the practices. (It also depends if this is a club or intramural team) I’ve known people to pull off sports, clubs, classes, the whole shebang in the first semester and come out unscathed, and others who just eased into it. They all enjoyed their experience because they knew what worked for them. </p>

<p>Personally, I think if you’re just doing crew, it’ll be perfectly possibly. Being involved in an extra curricular like a sport is a great way to meet new people, stay active (which can prevent/alleviate a lot of problems), and just step out of your comfort zone. I say go for it!</p>

<p>Just be aware that most crew practices are usually at 5:30 in the morning! Are you a morning person? Willing to get up in the dark and cold? With that in mind, it is an awesome sport and well worth you giving it a try. The worst thing that could happen is that you quit…no big deal. Good luck!</p>

<p>My practices were in the mid afternoon, which I was actually not as fond of (would have preferred morning practices). Check with your schools team about the time practices are.</p>

<p>I say give it a go. Try it for a few weeks and see if you like it first of all (very intense sport). Then if you stick to it and you are managing time poorly, then maybe consider dropping it.</p>