Is thirds for those who know how to play the sport but are not very good at it? Or can a person with pretty much no knowledge of crew just join thirds crew?
It can be either. Crew is a sport that generally nobody has experience with until they start participating in school.
@Derekim - Crew doesn’t have “thirds”. They have lower boats or novice boats. Can anyone join BS Crew? I would say that it depends on the school/program and coach but everyone is usually welcome to tryout. Rowing is a very demanding sport that requires a great deal of strength and endurance. If you’re able to run two miles without stopping and don’t mind having your hands ripped to shreds… that’s a start. Kids who run cross country, swim or play lacrosse usually transition well to rowing.
Rowing is so popular now that many boarding schools are actively seeking and recruiting Club Rowers because they make their top boats go faster. These are young athletes who train year round and will row in college. My best advice is to tryout and give it your all for one season and if you like it, find a club or rowing camp during breaks and summer so you can advance into a better boat the following year. Keep building…
Before school starts go to a gym and find an Erg. Don’t kill yourself ( right away) but do a 2K and get a feel for it. Write down your time and try to lower it every day you get on. Usually BS coaches will use this instrument of torture to identify raw talent in the novice group when a new season begins and if your time is decent it could land you in a better novice seat… or ( depending on the BS program ) better boat . All the technical stuff you’ll need to know before you race on the water will come later.
Crew is an amazing sport. Good luck!
Makes you want to run right down and sign up.
Andover has instructional crew in the fall and competitive in the spring. Space permitting anyone can sign up for instructional.
@Derekim - Do it if you have interest. Now is the time to try these things out.
Interest is key but go in prepared. Instructional/Novice rowing isn’t recreational. It’s not extreme canoeing with a bunch of kids out on the water splashing around having a goodtime. Even with four BS coaches out on launches during a practice… it can get hectic with novices on the water and safety is always paramount… that’s why your level of interest should be high.
Exhibit A: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1EoOlMkVjU&index=2&list=PLQrUWi5X12NnC4OIau-r3BxjBdj0dA0sQ
I find it extremely difficult to watch this video but it does illustrate my point 
There’s no fooling around in this sport and coaches can’t a lot spend time on kids who just want to try it or meet a sports requirement for a season… It’s a either you do or don’t sport. There are only so many boats in a BS Boathouse and you can’t stay in the same novice boat forever . You have to move up or move out ( as in find another sport ) because a novice seat in a boat is meant for someone who is willing to work hard and advance.
@Derekim - I was told NMH doesn’t do instructional crew in the fall. Will have to wait until spring.
Just in case I freaked anyone out with the other video ( I have no idea who those HS teams were ) … Here is what a typical BS ( First Boat) race looks like. This is Tabor, Andover, Exeter and NMH racing last spring. Enjoy!
Here’s another great example of a BS Boys First Boat race…
Salisbury vs Andover : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Iz4Fu7nfRs
Here is the 2015 Kent School Crew Video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KulfPPfv0Q
Enjoy
Are you excited about BS Rowing yet? 
Rowing is the best, callouses and all. Anyone thinking about rowing needs to read The Boys in the Boat. Though FormerCK was not recruited, he will be rowing in college. It’s in his blood now. As William Hundert said in the opening lines of “The Emperor’s Club:”
Nothing will shape your character, no, nothing will define your character better than crew.