Spring Break Training 2017

The rowers are back in class after a week of intense spring break training! It has been quite an eventful week for the rower; between two-a-day practices, volunteering,  fundraising, and racing! 

Training

Spring break training was certainly not a trip to Cabo for the team. The rowers sacrificed warm weather and clear skies for early mornings and windy evenings. However, despite challenging conditions, the team made significant increases in speed across all crews. The team enjoyed stiff inter-team competition in fours, which translated into great technical rowing in eights.  The team managed to fit more than 10 practices into their spring break, and the progress made was showcased as the team hosted USF on Saturday.

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USF Scrimmage

For the first time in recent years, the Central Florida Rowing team hosted the University of South Florida's men's rowing club for a scrimmage on Lake Jesup. The scrimmage featured strong rowing in the contested events - Varsity 8+, Varsity 4+, and a combined 2nd Varsity 4+/Novice 4+ race.  Central Florida won each race with dominant finishes in all 3 events.  *Please note that race distance was longer than 2000 meters.

Men's Varsity 8+
CFR          6:59.9
USF           7:35.2

Men's Varsity 4+
CFR          7:39.8
USF           8:07.8

The CFR Varsity 4+ asserted a commanding lead 1000 meters into the race. The crew has remained unchallenged since November's Head of the Hooch.

Men's Second Varsity 4+/Novice 4+
CFR 2V4           7:56.99
CFR NLWT      8:14.85
USF 2V4            8:23.86
CFR NHWT     8:26.78

The starting line of the 2V4+/N4+ race.

The finish of the 2V4+/N4+ race.

After racing concluded, both teams overcame their school rivalries and joined one another at IHOP for a post-race breakfast meal! The scrimmage begged the inauguration of an annual "War on I-4" regatta! 

Volunteering

Rowers from the Central Florida Rowing team volunteered at the UCF women's home regatta, which took place March 17. While the UCF women raced against UConn, Jacksonville, Nova Southeastern, and Stetson, the Central Florida Rowing team manned the finish line and results table, to ensure the smooth operation of the regatta. 

The morning was filled with UCFast racing and the UCF women won 5 out of 6 races. An official recap can be found here: http://ucfknights.com/news/2017/3/17/rowing-home-water-win.aspx

Central Florida rowers Jonathan Ponader and Forrest McClellan work closely with a USRowing referee to officiate the finish line of the women's regatta.

Fundraising

In addition to practices and volunteering, many members of the team participated in our Rent-A-Rower service. The rowers tackled 4 yard work projects over the course of their spring break, and ultimately committed over 20 hours to these projects! 

If you are interested in renting rowers, please click the button below!

Rent-A-Rower

Back In Action

The team returns to racing action this week as they travel to Gainesville, Georgia, to compete in the John Hunter regatta. The following week, the team will travel to Sarasota to compete at the Florida Intercollegiate Rowing Association state championship!