TEN QUESTIONS WITH...

Describe your team's experience at last weekend's Head of the Charles Regatta.
In our race, in which we finished sixth, there were 38 collegiate-eight boats. It's unbelievably exciting to see that many boats winding down a river, separated by only a few seconds. Around 350,000 people lined the banks of the Charles River to watch the race. It's a very prestigious event and it's the world's largest head race.

What is a head race and how does that differ from the races your team competes in during the spring?
A head race is 5,000 meters - or about three miles - with the teams being started along the same path in 25 to 30 second intervals. Sometimes passing occurs; other times, boats hold their positions.

In the spring, the races are 2,000 meters long. Each team starts side-by-side. You are motivated in a different fashion in that you can see where your competition is in comparison to you.

Why do you feel your program has had so much success at the novice level?
For starters, our sport and program is unique in that we encourage and entertain opportunities for walk-ons. We've got 60-plus kids on our squad, and more than half of them had never rowed before they got to UB. That is typical of crew programs throughout the United States.

One of the advantages of training novices effectively is that we basically train year-round. By the end of the fall, they have had a lot of experience. After a year of rowing, many of the novices can be competitive at the higher level.

Because we treat the novices very similar to those with prior experience - in terms of fitness programs and training - they get strong quickly and as a result have reasonable success with them at UB.

Who is allowed to row in the novice division?
In collegiate crew, a novice is anybody who is in their first year of rowing at the college level. This is where we are really successful. We're looking for athletes who have previously competed in other sports in high school. Any sport with a cardiovascular base - meaning the athlete is fit and has a concept of training - translates well, allowing the athlete to do well quickly.

How do you and your staff determine which members are selected for each boat?
In most collegiate programs, the ultimate goal for an athlete is to make it on the first varsity boat, which is usually the eight. The next boat then is either a second varsity eight or a varsity four.

We use a variety of items in the selection process. We use ergometers to measure each athlete's horsepower, we do seat racing and of course we have the coaches' eyes to examine the technical components of the athletes.

Do each of the squads remain together in the same boat during each training session?
We don’t always train in the eights. Many times, we will train in small boats because the skill acquisition is better in that case. In the big boats, everything balances easier and mistakes can be hidden. In the smaller boats, you need to be a better rower.

What type of involvement do coaches have during each practice?
At all times, one of our coaches is with at most two crews. We are in a motor boat beside them, constantly giving them technical feedback on what we see. We also do video analysis so that the athletes can see themselves. The coach is really important in giving the athletes feedback and instructing them on a constant basis.

At the varsity level, I am more of a fine-tuner. I am also monitoring and delivering a training schedule.

How much dedication is involved is the sport as a whole?
We demand of our team - in particular the varsity - that they have six water sessions, four cardiovascular sessions and two weight-training sessions per week. That adds up to about 17 to 20 hours of training per week, which is what the NCAA allows. In the winter offseason, we are allowed eight hours of training per week. On the whole, it is very intense.

What is the reason behind the early-morning practices?
In reality, it is the only time of the day when we can get all of our athletes out on the water. I've been a coach here for two years - and during that time we haven't missed any practices on the water. The water is always good at that time. That's the only way you get better at this sport. The only time we can't row is when there is ice on the water.

Having coached in Canada for over 30 years, what differences have you noticed between rowing in the United States and Canada?
An average crew team at the Division I level can have over 60 people on it. In terms of student-athlete numbers, I believe it is one of the most popular female sports at the collegiate level. One of the things about rowing is that it attracts kids who are dedicated and committed. In that sense, I don't think the approach varies that much throughout different regions.

-The "10 Questions with…" feature is compiled by Geoff Nason.