Rowing no longer just a sport for the elite
Alyson Magian wants you to start rowing.
As executive director of Community Rowing Inc. of Boston, she is on a mission to open up to the masses what was once considered an elite, preppie sport. Today, crowds are expected to line the banks of the Charles River to watch one of the most celebrated rowing races in North America, the Head of the Charles. Magian hopes some of those spectators will consider becoming participants.
''You can start rowing at any fitness level," says Magian, 42, who started rowing when she was 25. ''And as long as you fit in the equipment, you can be any shape or size." She is even willing to compromise on one of the most daunting aspects of rowing: the 5 a.m. wake-up call.
''The general public thinks that you have to get up early to go rowing. And that's not true," Magian says, ticking off a list of evening classes available to rowers. The Charles River is home to at least 25 rowing programs, including colleges and private clubs, Magian says. Community Rowing, a nonprofit founded in 1985, is open to the general public and now has about 1,500 members.
It serves about 600 youngsters (ages 12 and up) in afterschool programs, and also runs a special program for girls in the Boston public schools, called G-ROW. Adult members, except beginners, pay a $100 seasonal membership fee plus the cost of the classes. The outdoor rowing season on the Charles lasts from April to October. Most rowers use a 13-mile stretch that goes from Boston to Watertown. Although you don't have to row in the morning, it's certainly the busiest time on the river, with many rowers out on the water by 5:45 a.m. ''The water's calm, and there's no wind then," Magian says.
In winter, rowers have two options. They can train on rowing machines, which are also called ergometers. They can also row in indoor ''tanks," which are essentially rowing machines with oars that dip into small swimming pools.
The two basic kinds of rowing are sculling and sweep rowing. In sweep rowing, each person uses one oar in a two-, four- or eight-person racing shell. In sculling, each person uses two oars in a one-, two- or four-person scull. At Community Rowing, beginners must start with an introductory class in sweep rowing or sculling. In sweep rowing, beginners start on a teaching boat called a ''rowing barge" that won't tip over. They progress to narrower racing shells. In sculling, beginners start in wider sculls and progress to narrow sculls that are only 13-14 inches wide. It's not uncommon for rowers at all levels to tip over from time to time and ''take a swim in the Charles."
Magian, who came to Boston nine years ago from Manitoba, says she believes rowing is one of the best full-body workouts around. Because it is low-impact, it is a good sport for older adults.
Jane Morse, Community Rowing's board president, was 55 when she first decided to take up rowing. She says she was not in great physical shape. She is now 63, 25 pounds lighter and a national champion. Morse says she grew up at a time when competitive sports for women were scarce. Rowing gave her a chance to hone her competitive side while gleaning support from her team. ''It's the ultimate team sport," she says.
