While the '06 members of the men's heavyweight and lightweight crew teams and the women's crew team will continue to row nearly everyday this summer, their regimen looks to be much less intense then it typically is during Fall, Winter and Spring terms.
Led by Coach Kevin Cotter, the lightweight men's eight, the women's eight and the heavyweight men's four have been going out on the water together. Men's heavyweight assistant coach Todd Pearson has remained on campus to coach the men's heavyweight eight.
All three teams will participate in the same two regattas this term -- this weekend's Festival Regatta in Lowell, Mass. and the Canadian Henley in St. Catherine's, Ontario.
The Festival Regatta could feature opponents varying from amateur rowing clubs to other university teams, according to lightweight Bob Blake '06. Blake said that he is not exactly sure what to expect in Lowell, but that he is definitely looking forward to racing.
The Canadian Henley, which will be held from Aug. 2 to Aug. 6, looks to be the premier race for the teams this summer.
Rowers have been raving about the stress-free practice environment. "It's been a lot more relaxed and a lot less stressful," Blake said.
The summer rowing season is devoid of morning practices and mandatory indoor workouts and lifts, and the teams' water workouts are somewhat less strenuous then they are during the year, according to heavyweight Dan Donoho '06.
"Workouts are a little less than usual, and practices are shorter so that people have more free time," Donoho said.
The additional free time has enabled individuals to train on their own, Donoho said. "Most guys row or lift in addition to practice."
The women rowers have also been supplementing their water workouts with individual indoor workouts, according to Amy Higgins '06. These workouts are part of the training plan developed by the women's head coach, Molly McHugh, Higgins said.
Having a different coach during the summer has helped to create a more relaxed atmosphere, according to Kelly Michaelsen '06. "We have a different coach in the summer and the atmosphere around practice is much more relaxed," Michaelsen said.
Because a number of boats are being coached by Cotter, many of the different teams have been able to race each other during practice. "We do race pieces against the heavies and lights with staggered starts so that we're actually racing each other," Higgins said.
All of the rowers are looking forward to the time they'll be spending on the Connecticut River this summer. "The river is so beautiful in the summer," Higgins said.
"For me, the summer is a time to remind myself why I love to row at Dartmouth," Donoho said.
Some '05 rowers have remained on campus this summer, and are training in addition to working or taking classes.
"In terms of lightweights, it's just really '06s," Blake said. However, a number of '05 heavyweights and women are practicing as well.
Still, the summer is a time to enhance class bonds among teammates.
"The '06 women's team is really developing a lot of camaraderie because for the first time it's just our class in the boats," Higgins said. "I think that's the best part of summer rowing."
