TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR ROWING PARENTS

 

  1. DO NOT IMPOSE YOUR AMBITIONS ON YOUR ATHLETE:  Remember that rowing is your child’s sport.  Every athlete has a different background and ability.  Improvements and progress occur at different rates for each individual.  Do not judge your child’s progress based on the performance of other athletes and do not push them based on what you think they should be doing.
  1. BE SUPPORTIVE NO MATTER WHAT:  There is only one question to ask you athlete – “Did you have fun?”  You need to be your athlete’s biggest fan.  They feel pressure from all the other athletes, they are nervous about how their peers perceive them and they want to do well for the team, themselves and the coaches.  The coaches will inspire but they will also correct and if necessary be upset at a performance.  Your job is to always be impressed and proud.
  1. DO NOT COACH YOUR CHILD:  Although you may have been a super rower when you were in high school, or college the science of rowing is changing all the time.  Only the coaches know your athletes training regime and training plan.  Your athlete will have a focus, something to achieve, to learn in each race.  Do not confuse your athlete by giving him different goals, expectations, corrections, or extra workouts.   The coaches are responsible for all technical aspects.  Do not offer advice on technique or race strategy.  Learning and getting faster is a process. The rower must trust the coach and go through this process at races as well as at practice.   If parents try to coach the trust/bond is broken and the process breaks down.  Do not confuse your athlete.
  1. SAY ONLY POSITIVE THINGS AT RACES: If you are going to be at a race you should cheer and applaud the effort, and the dedication.  You should respect the nerves and the fear.  Never criticize your rower or the coach.
  1. ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR CHILD’S FEARS: Although teenagers many of these athletes are new to rowing or put pressure on themselves to perform well every time.  New events, a first race, a big race can all be nerve wracking.  It is appropriate and even helpful to be nervous.  But do not put more pressure by belittling or yelling.  Assure the athlete that you will be proud of them for trying and for their doing the best they can.
  1. DO NOT CRITICIZE THE OFFICIALS:  Officials are mere mortals and they are doing the best they can and “calling them like they see them”.  You cannot reverse a call made by an official.  There is no point in yelling, arguing or insulting the official privately or publicly.  If the coaches deem it necessary they are able to discuss any concern with an official.  If need be a formal protest can be made.  Mostly you should go with the flow.  Every official is different.  Sometimes calls go with you, sometimes against you.  It all works out in the end.

  2. RESPECT THE COACH: The bond between coach and crew is a special one, and one that contributes to your athlete’s success as well as fun.  The coach must be the brain of the crew so the rowers can see clearly and not get caught in a muddle of a thousand thoughts at the start.  Do not criticize the coach.  Do not change a race plan or strategy.  The coach and the crew know what they are working on day to day and what they are working towards.  If you have questions please direct them to the coach not to the athlete.
  1. DO NOT OVER SCHEDULE: It is important to understand that to be diverse in talent and interests is a potential positive and that all kids vary in what they like to do.  However if an athlete is spreading himself thin trying to row, do orchestra, the play, school work, French club etc. then the benefits of the team and team camaraderie will be lost.  Although other interests are fine the athletes that show the most dedication to the sport, team and throughout the season will reap the most benefits from the team, the coaches and have the highest success rate in achieving their goals.
  1. THE ATHLETE WILL HAVE GOALS OTHER THAN WINNING: Giving an honest effort regardless of what the outcome is, is much more important than winning.  A swimming Olympian once said, “My goal was to set a world record.  Well, I did that, but someone else did it too, just a little faster than I did.  I achieved my goal and I lost.  This does not make me a failure.  In fact I am very proud of that swim.”  Making a rowing shell go fast is a process.  There is a lot to learn in areas of technique and training.  A rower or crew focuses on the goal of a particular day, event or race whether it is even splits or perfect catches.  If the race goal was accomplished then it was a good row and they will be able to move on to the next step inching them closer to their season goal. 
  1. DO NOT EXPECT YOUR ATHLETE TO BE OFFERED A DIVISION I SCHOLARSHIP OR GO TO THE OLYMPICS:  (But do not squash his/her dreams either)  To make it to the Olympics is about a 1 in 4,500 chance.  To even get close to DI or Olympics takes talent, desire, and commitment.  There is so much more to rowing.  Rowing teaches self-discipline and sportsmanship; it builds self-esteem and fitness; it provides a health and fitness outlet that can be used throughout a lifetime and it builds friendships.  Rowing builds good people and that is most important.