<p>From a friend who rows for the Carnegie Lake Rowing Association (he's a senior in high school too), I've gotten interested in rowing and I want to try it next year at Princeton. </p>
<p>However, I've got no rowing experience currently. What's the best way to join the team (I realize that I might not be ready physically to join in my freshman year). I was considering emailing the coach and letting him know I was interested, but wanted to ask here first.</p>
<p>Of course, I understand the ridiculous physical commitment it takes, but I'm really willing to work for it.</p>
<p>The crew team is atypical in that they usually fill a lot of their roster with walk-ons who have little to no prior experience, so you should be fine. Go ahead and email the coach if you want more info.</p>
<p>I’m Ray. I’m a varsity swimmer but I definitely want to try new things while I’m at Princeton, too! I’m a pretty small guy, so I thought maybe I’d be a good fit to be a coxswain. I e-mailed Coach Washburn about walking on the team. He was super friendly about it and encouraged me to stay in touch with him, especially during freshman orientation. </p>
<p>Maybe we might be on the team together! Anyhow, I look forward to it.</p>
<p>I thought I could give some insight into the crazy world of rowing; I’m a coxswain (although I did originally start as a rower) in High School. </p>
<p>You should have no problem walking on to the team (if you’re ready for some hard work) as quite a few people are walk-ons. Although there are the recruited coxswains and rowers, most people have never rowed before college.</p>
<p>Princeton itself has an amazing facility (the boathouse is beautiful), exceptional coaches (like Marty Crotty, Spencer Washburn, and many more), and a very talented team. </p>
<p>Rowing is a very small world, as well as a sometimes-quirky sport. Most people fall in love with it (in fact, some even call the sport a “cult”).</p>
<p>I was not recruited as a swimmer at Princeton. This year, I opted to take an internship at an international publishing company that conflicted with sport practice schedules, so I had to make a sacrifice :(. However, I do love swimming, and swim regularly at the gym on my own. I also teach swim lessons, so… who knows what I will do at Princeton. I know that sports are always a huge commitment, so I think club swimming might be better for me.</p>