Welcome to Middle School Crew!

 

Hollis/Brookline area students in grades 7 and 8 are invited to tryout for our HB Crew Middle School program.  

 

This is an excellent opportunity to learn the basics of rowing, from our high school coaches, in a small group environment.  In order to provide individual attention, and keep all rowers safe, this program is currently limited to 12 rowers.   

 

We have a fall season and a spring season - you can choose to do either one or both.  We practice at Lone Pine Hunters Club on the Nashua River at 114 Rideout Road in Hollis, NH.  Practices are on 7 Fridays after school from 2:45 - 4:30.  In the fall, practice starts in early September at Lone Pine.  In the spring, practice starts at the beginning of April and takes place at the high school until the snow/cold allow us to get on the water at Lone Pine.  

HB Crew also offers a Summer Learn to Row  program that is a fabulous way to try out the sport and get ready for the fall season.  

 

Any questions or need more information?  Email info@hbcrew.org.

 

Tryout

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All rowers must tryout for the team and meet the coach’s requirements for participation.  The tryout is done on land and is an evaluation of physical fitness, not just rowing skill.  So, all are welcome!  Tryouts are the first week of school for the fall season and around the second week of March for the spring season.  With only 12 spots, space is limited.  Specific dates and times will be announced in school and be published on our website.  

Sample tryout for non rowers, or those new to HB Crew:

• try the ergometer (rowing machine) 

• 500 meter sprint on the ergometer

• Coach’s assessment of your attitude, aptitude and commitment

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Swim Test

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Safety is a top priority at HB Crew.  We need to be 100% comfortable that each team member has the ability to stay afloat, in the unlikely event that their boat tips over, until a safety launch arrives with lifejackets.  To this end, all new (novice) crew members are required to pass a swim test before getting in a boat. Passing the test covers you for your entire time on the middle school and high school Crew team.  To pass the test, you must be able to:

1. Enter the water, wearing a full set of crew workout clothes (i.e. polyester layers), and swim 50 meters (any stroke)

2. Tread water for 10 minutes while still wearing clothes

3. Demonstrate the ability to place a life jacket on while treading water

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Registration Costs

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If you are invited to register, tuition is $175 per season, to be paid during online registration at Regatta Central. A link will be provided with your invitation to be on the team.  Your registration fee pays for the many expenses associated with crew: launch registration & fuel, regatta registration fees, trailer transportation expenses, equipment maintenance, coaching compensation and day to day supplies.  

 

Uniforms

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There are no uniforms required for participating in Middle School crew.   Upon completion of the swim test, each team member is given a synthetic HB Crew shirt that can be worn for practices or regattas.  Tight-fitting leggings or shorts are necessary so that they do not get caught in the tracks. Black high school rowing shorts (trou) are available if you would like to purchase them.  

 

Regattas (Competitions)

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At this time, HB Crew is one of the few Middle School programs in the area so there aren’t many teams to race against.  This is changing as crew becomes more and more popular and Coach Lewis is constantly looking for opportunities to get you out on the water!  We strive for at least one fall race and one spring race, which take place on a Saturday or Sunday.  The regatta schedules are determined close to the start of the season and published on our website Events page.  

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Winter Training

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In 2017, we included three weeks of winter training for our Middle School rowers on Friday afternoons at the high school.  There was a huge interest so we anticipate doing that again in the future, depending on the coaches’ schedules.   Check our website for details in January.