2010 Summer Corporate Rowing League -
see our Recruiting Video below!
NEW FOR THE SECOND SESSION? Contact Rob Quinn to join a team that is being formed right now! He is taking individuals until he is able to fill a team at $180 a person for the second session. The team will meet Monday nights during the 7:30 pm session.
2010
Captain's Manual (everyone is welcome to read it!)
The Fourteenth Annual Pittsburgh Summer Corporate Rowing season, as in past years, will provide a collegial forum to exercise on the water, improve rowing skills, network, eat and have fun. Summer highlights include opportunities to row against other organizations and the traditional post-practice feast (bbq, beer and more), all included in the participation fee!
You will have the opportunity to bond with your co-workers (teammates) while rowing on our three rivers as well as during the BBQ. Coaching is provided for all practices and safety will continue to be our number one priority while you are on the water. All levels of fitness are encouraged!
Team Fees
TRRA is asking all teams to collect their team fee of $1,800. This fee reserves one 8-person boat for your team and allows all your members to partake in the post-practice BBQ. It is up to the team to decide how the fee is split between their members. TRRA recommends having at least 12 members and an absolute minimum of 10. Team members will have varying conflicts throughout the summer so there is a need for more than 8 on your team. Teams with 12-14 have been the most successful in fielding 8 rowers consistently each week in past years. Remember that with more members on your team, individual fees go down!
The $1,800 must be paid at one time (by your first practice). The payment can be any combination of checks, cash and credit card numbers.
Captain Discount
TRRA recommends the $1,800 be split evenly between all participating members except for the team captain. TRRA requires that each team has a captain and there are many expectations for the captains (see the Captain's Manual) in order for the team to get on the water smoothly.
What Happens with "Extra" Rowers?
If your team has 12 rowers on your roster it is possible there will be a week that you have 9 people available to row. We welcome you to bring all available rowers down to your practice. Here are some of the options the extra person has for that week (we recommend cycling through the "extra"). That person can:
1. See if another team is short a rower (this happens very
frequently).
2. Use the indoor rowing machines and weight room we have at the boathouse.
3. Put on a pfd, get some quick instructions and take a kayak out on the river
for a nice tour.
4. Ride in a coaches launch. You won't believe how much you'll learn by doing
this until you've done it!
5. Head out on the paths of our beautiful island (Washington's Landing) by
foot (walk/jog) and get ready for the BBQ early!
Other Fees?
Regatta fees are not included in the program cost. While the focus of this program is not necessarily racing (please check out TRRA's teams if this is your desire), some teams choose enter at races that have corporate team categories. Some options are below.
Coxswain fees are not included. Information about coxswains is also below.
Events & Regattas (tentative)
Heinz Challenge - July 24th
Head of the Ohio - October 9th
Regatta fees not included in program cost. Dates and events subject to change or cancellation.
Coxswains
Some teams have their own coxswain, but we realize that many others do not. For 2010, TRRA will not schedule your coxswain for you, but we provide a lengthy list of contacts for people who would be willing to cox for you. Unless you find someone who is willing to volunteer for your team, coxswains expect to be paid for their time. TRRA recommends that you pay your coxswain $20 per practice, but you can work out the exact amount with your cox. Please keep in mind that you are responsible for paying your coxswain every week (collect your money ahead of time!).
Coxswains are expected to be at the boathouse 15 minutes before your scheduled time and they will (along with your captain) be responsible for coordinating with your coach for the night.
Definitions of Experience Levels
Experienced Night (Thursday)
All rowers on the team should have at least
two corporate sessions of experience (one full summer). There should be no
beginner rowers in these boats in order to allow the best atmosphere for those
teams that do not need the beginning coaching (and want to go fast!).
Intermediate Night (Tuesday)
We encourage teams that have individuals with varying levels of experience
to choose Tuesday night. This is a good night for an experienced team that
may need a little extra time to focus on technique (though we focus on technique
every night!).
Beginner Nights (Monday & Wednesday)
We encourage teams that have individuals on their teams that are
beginners to choose Monday or Wednesday night sessions. If a team has experienced
rowers also the going may be slow at first, but those experienced rowers will
be valuable in helping the beginners on your team to learn the sport as quickly
as possible. In the end, your team as a whole will improve the most if you
choose one of these sessions in this circumstance.
Participant Criteria
| Age: |
21+ |
| Skill Level: |
Beginner and Intermediate |
| Participation Level: |
Recreation and Fitness |
| Prerequisite (one time only): |
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| Prerequisite (req'd annually): |
Practice Format
| Team Numbers: |
Teams must have at least
8 Rowers and 1 Coxswain. It is highly recommended that teams have
12 rowers to account for varying team member schedules during
the summer. |
| Practices: |
Your team will select
one night each week to practice. Practices will be coached. Teams
are paired by experience for practice with two boats per coach. There
will be a progressive curriculum that will account for the goals and
overall experience level of participants. |
| Frequency: |
One night each week. |
| Attire: |
There is no need for
special attire for rowing. It is recommended that shorts or sweats
be relatively snug fitting as loose material easily catches in the
rowing seat wheels. Bicycle shorts or tights are ideal. Any running
shoes or sneakers will be fine. |
| Location: |
Unless otherwise announced,
practices will be at the Lambert
Boathouse on Washington's Landing. |
| Barbecue: |
There will be a rower's barbecue after every practice. Food and beverages (soda and beer - courtesy of Penn Brewing) are included in the program fee. Traditionally one team accepts responsibility for cooking and cleaning up on a rotating basis. |
| Participating Teams |
Each year, about 30corporate teams participate including: Allegheny General Hospital, Alcoa, Medrad, Livestrong, Oakmont Capital, Mercy Hospital, Outcome Technology Associates, American Eagle, FedEx, Highmark, GSK, Evenement, Katz, Pitt Dental School |
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For Summer Rowing League teams, if your team would like to purchase additional practices and coaching on the water, in rowing tanks or on ergometers, please feel free to contact TRRA. |

