<p>I was wondering what is it like for a guy to walk-on the sailing, or the lightweight crew team? First, is it possible to be a newbie walk-on for these two sports. Second, how much time you have to devote in these two sports on a weekly basis, respectively. Third, what kind of training would you recommend for these two sports? Fourth, what are some of the easiest sports to join as a walk-on (assume you are already a high school varsity athlete for that specific sport)?</p>
<p>For LW crew: yes, you can walk on and be successful (in fact, the second freshman boat is almost all novices); about 20 hours/week time commitment; good preparation: good swimmer, x-country runner, cyclist, speed skater, i.e. any endurance sport, but also volleyball players, basket ball players, etc. There are top international rowers who started crew in college.</p>
<p>Yes to both sports. The Harvard sailing team has their boathouse down by MIT, so one either has a long walk, or a T-ride each way. The sailing team likes tall, strong athletes for beginners as they can lean over the edge and balance the boats while the experienced sailors work the sails and rudder. </p>
<p>For crew, start erging on a rowing machine. You can look up results of the Crash-B Sprints to see what numbers the top lightweight and heavyweight rowers are achieving on the ergs.</p>
<p>To add to the first post, if you have strong legs that is a plus, too. It’s not just endurance. Your endurance will rapidly increase with crew workouts. I was never an endurance guy and 4 mile runs were like nothing after a month of crew.</p>
<p>Also, for lightweight crew 160 lb and around 6 ’ tall are the optimal weight and height.</p>
<p>Have fun!</p>
<p>But I’m only 5’9 and 160lbs, doesn’t that give me a huge disadvantage for trying out for these sports?</p>
<p>Yes, you may not make the cut to do lightweight crew sophomore year, but many people row novice crew freshamen year, make grat friends, and then go on to row club crew for their Houses. </p>
<p>As for sailing, if you stick with it you may have better chances, certainly as you learn technique.</p>
<p>If you’re going to start erg-ing on your own (indoor rowing,) make sure you watch a video of proper technique. It’s very hard to train on your own though. In 3 weeks of rowing practice, you’ll be in great shape–the added benefits of training in the summer on your own might be negligible. </p>
<p>If I was to train at all in prep for rowing, I would run 1-4 miles.</p>
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<p>You can’t be more than 160 lbs to be lightweight. If you are, you have to cut weight right before weighing. Being 5’9" might be a slight disadvantage. The best height for lightweight is 6’0".</p>
<p>It’s interesting because my novice rowing friends at Harvard told me that Varsity lightweight athletes voluntarily quit faster than the coaches make the cuts.</p>
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<p>Rowing is one of the most grueling sports there is. That doesn’t surprise me at all.</p>
<p>I am a 6’1", 157 lb three-year varsity tennis player interested in crew. How possible would it be to make the team?</p>