hey guys! i’ve been involved in rowing for about two years but i’m really terrible at it. my 2k as of right now is at 8:55. i’m a 5’9" lightweight (and a girl) at 128 lbs. does anyone have any tips on how to improve so that i’m at a competitive level in two years? i’m a sophomore right now and i really want to get into harvard. should i even continue with rowing?
If you really enjoy rowing you should probably continue, and in all likelihood you will get better. Going from 8:55 to Ivy recruit-able 7:30ish is a pretty tall order, however. Talk to your coach about what to do to improve, or check out online resources, but the general recipe to getting better on the erg is lots of steady state on the erg (at the college level, the the summer stay in shape program will have you erging at least 100k/week). If you are not recruit-able, rowing is just another EC, and would have marginal impact on your chance of admission.
Thanks so much! This was really helpful
Freshman Olivia Farrar was the stroke for the Harvard lightweight eight at the 2017 Head of the Charles and rowed a 7:28 2k at Crash B sprints in 2016 so rennie17 is right that 7:30 ish is your goal. Keep chipping away at the time with the help of your coach. But don’t neglect your studies because even with good erg scores you will need to have the grades.
Olivia Farrar was the stroke for the Radcliffe lightweight eight. The women’s LW and HW teams row under the name Radcliffe, and the men’s LW and HW teams row under the name Harvard. My observation is that the teams, especially the women’s team, is very specific and careful about this nomenclature.
Your observation is correct.
I am a rower as well, but a guy, get a erg and do the daily workout on Concepts website. this coupled with a benchmark 2k once a month should help a lot. also dont neglect the weights or running. hope this helps
PS this is what works for the guys i dont know you change anything it will work better. thanks for reminding me i need to get back to work, i have a 7:45, wish that was good for guys 
good luck
Greetings Margeu, I just noticed this chat after almost a year. I am actually Olivia Farrar’s Mom. Happy to add that this past weekend, she stroked the Ltwt 4 to a win at the HOCR.
What I would .like to add to this conversation is not just the significance of an erg score, but more importantly, the importance of completing the hard work to improve your scores. It takes a lot of dedicaton to lower an erg score and the ability and willingness to do this work is every bit as significant to your being happy as a collegiate rower. Collegiate rowing is a different animal than high school rowing - two practices a day, starting early mornings, 20 hours a week. So, if rowing for Radcliffe is your dream, try approaching your training with a goal and belief that you are willing and wanting to put in serious work.
Hi! I appreciate the feedback (and kudos to your daughter)! I have decided that the rowing life is not the right fit for me. Thank you though (and this might help others who are interested)!