
Always the season to row: Fairfield’s Grace Polatsek
FAIRFIELD, Conn. — I am so grateful to have joined Fairfield University Women’s Rowing as a freshman. Rowing on a crew team is such a unique experience. It creates a strong team atmosphere and provides an excellent support system. In order to perform well, rowers have to be connected with each other. We learn to work together both on and off the water. Rowing is a true team sport. We mostly row Eights and Fours, consisting of 8 or 4 rowers and a coxswain, respectively. The coxswain is like a coach on the boat, steering and giving instructions while also motivating the rowers. Each rower is responsible for putting forth their best effort while trusting that her boat-mates are doing the same. Workouts can get hard and long. Showing up and seeing my teammates reminds me to take a step back and remind myself that I’m not the only person in the boat.
There are so many benefits to be had by rowing. It builds strength both physically and mentally. While many people think that rowing is primarily upper body, it is actually a full-body workout. In fact, the majority of our power comes from lower body strength. Mentally, you need focus, resilience, and confidence. You have to learn to take constructive criticism and have an open mind. Some of the movements take getting used to. There’s a lot in the sport that you don’t realize you’re doing wrong until it is pointed out. I have learned to appreciate feedback from coaches and teammates. It is crucial to getting stronger and faster as a boat and as a team.

Spring is my favorite season to row. While the sunrises we see at practice in the fall make the early mornings worth it, spring is entirely different. As the weather starts to warm up, we get to spend more time on the water. In the fall, we are learning and fine-tuning core skills: technique, timing, and the basics. There aren’t a lot of races in New England in the fall. Spring Head Races allow you to see how you line up against the other teams and help your team define strengths and weaknesses.
Rowing is a terrific sport all year round. Regardless of the season, we practice both individually and as a team. In the fall (on the water), winter (dry land), spring (on the water), and summer (independently), each rower is responsible for continuing training so that the team remains strong. Regardless of whether we are practicing as a team or following the Coach’s training plan on our own, each rower is committed to maintaining their fitness level. No matter what season, the water is beautiful, and it’s a great opportunity to row!
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