US Squad and Racing

[lt.wolf]

Will there be a “ masters “ day of Smallest ? Chances of snow are 40 percent.

[boston_1x]

Straightforward fall speed order re-brand. Very Dutch. They have their "NK" (national championship) in March, right after a few big head races. Definitely part of selection process... should have funding implications for the winter.

This could be interesting re letting college athletes with small boat skills create a July-August-September-October build/peak cycle focused on this November race.

Could spill over positively to the HOCR, HOSR Champ 1x/2- events & create some depth in those races.

[socalstroke]

Worth trying I guess but at first glance I don't see a big enough incentive to drive collegiate registration, particularly outside the NE. Small boat events to date have not gotten any traction.

[eeoyre]

Be interesting if it provides some pathways for ACRA athletes to get noticed earlier.

[ROWBOTTOM]

I like the idea that you graduate from college knowing this is your next check-in. Not so far away that you couldn't start thinking about it as a sophomore or junior. Maybe after IRAs take a few weeks off, then plug into one of the HP centers, maybe score a part-time internship if its a place like Boston.

Agree for people getting out of college, some visibility on how this connects to paying the bills would help.

[lt.wolf]

I believe some programs have a limit on the number of regattas/ races they can attend and the number of travel days they can take.

[fullmetal]

I like the idea that you graduate from college knowing this is your next check-in. Not so far away that you couldn't start thinking about it as a sophomore or junior. Maybe after IRAs take a few weeks off, then plug into one of the HP centers, maybe score a part-time internship if its a place like Boston.

Agree for people getting out of college, some visibility on how this connects to paying the bills would help.

The HP selection procedures are not a mystery...they're public and posted online. There are USRowing-hosted seminars for U23 teamers on next steps. Social media exists, and athletes talk to one another about how the process works. I don't know if Fall Speed Order being rebranded makes a difference.

[sandor]

I like the idea that you graduate from college knowing this is your next check-in. Not so far away that you couldn't start thinking about it as a sophomore or junior. Maybe after IRAs take a few weeks off, then plug into one of the HP centers, maybe score a part-time internship if its a place like Boston.

Agree for people getting out of college, some visibility on how this connects to paying the bills would help.

The HP selection procedures are not a mystery...they're public and posted online. There are USRowing-hosted seminars for U23 teamers on next steps. Social media exists, and athletes talk to one another about how the process works. I don't know if Fall Speed Order being rebranded makes a difference.

Are they simply trying to get more 2- entries by appealing to college rowers?


Looking back, there always seems to be 3-4 dozen 1x entries, but the 2- is lacking most years

https://www.regattacentral.com/v3/regat ... s?org_id=0
https://www.regattacentral.com/v3/regat ... s?org_id=0
https://www.regattacentral.com/v3/regat ... s?org_id=0

[OldBlue]

It’s not like this concept hasn’t been run before. In 2013, 2014, and 2015 the IRA/ECAC in partnership with Mercer ran the “Collegiate Small Boat Championships” for women the first weekend in November with over 100 entries the first two years, between 30 and 40 singles, 30 and 40 doubles, and a like number of Pairs. After cold and windy weather issues in year two the enthusiasm for the project waned in year three and the entries fell by 50%. The task ahead of this new venture will be to create and sustain the desire to participate, and get the colleges in particular to pay for their athletes to compete. If athletes choose to row unattached they will not be eligible for financial backing from their teams, (things like entry fees, transportation, housing food, and coaching).if they row for their team it will be considered countable competition.

https://www.regattacentral.com/regatta/ ... 9&org_id=0
https://www.regattacentral.com/regatta/ ... 5&org_id=0

[crewu]

Imagine IRA crews racing against club rowers for a collegiate national championship again.

When do the eligibility questions start?

[OldBlue]

Crewu,
No different than SIRA, HOCR, Crew Classic where clubs and Varsities are commonly in some of the same events. All depends on how compelling a case USR, the elite pathways can make the opportunity feel.There is significantly more small boat rowing at the collegiate level now than there was 12-14 years ago. Here’s an opportunity for USROWING to potentially have relevance. I for one hope they don’t fumble the ball.

[crewu]

Except all those regattas define what an eligible college student is in their own way. What is USRowing's definition? How do they come up with the definition? Who gets input. If you are going to declare something a national championship you need to be on top of these questions.

[fullmetal]

They say they've consulted with the NCAA and obtained approval. I think logistics of putting yet another regatta on the calendar is an issue for colleges -- maybe athletes compete as Unaff on their own dime, but they'll have to miss training and school. Worse for the west coast athletes.

My thing is that USRowing already tried to put a fall championship on the books and failed (masters head race, anyone?), and this feels like another attempt at having a fall championship. No one outside of the HP rowers are ready for a meaningful championship in November. Maybe there is no meaning and it's just a name. Yes, I think small boat skills need to be incentivized and valued, but I'm not sure this is going to make it happen.

[sandor]

Fall Speed Order has always been small boats.
But now who is the national champ? the 1x winner at the summer national championship or the fall?
2x national champions a year is a great way to increase medal hauls over a short career

This just feels like a re-brand of the speed order & official? NCAA approval for college athletes to roll down, pay their $40 and compete.

Regatta Central seems to have a poor data set on the older entries (ie says 40 entries, but only 10 athletes listed) but i wonder how often college athletes raced as unaffiliated/club entries in the past.


I'm confused because there seems to not be much meat behind the "pomp".

[lt.wolf]

Could we return to a proper fall speed order, an 8k stake turn race at Princeton for both singles and pairs?