For several years now the Sagamore Rowing Association (SRA) has offered a winter conditioning program to its youth membership. The program provides the opportunity to maintain and improve rowing fitness off the water during the off-season. This helps the rowers stay in shape and be more competitive during the on-water season.

SRA attempts to continue to get out on the water until icing conditions occur or the water is too cold for someone to fall in and get back on the boat. The thin shells of the boats can easily be damaged by ice and very cold water. Also hypothermia starts to become a factor when the water gets too cold. When these conditions are apparent SRA turns to land and indoor training to stay in shape for the on-water season.

The winter training program began in November and should continue for at least another 4-6 weeks until the weather gets warmer in March. The winter training program covers a range of activity: weight lifting, erging (using indoor row machines), and circuit training. The Youth Winter Training Program is designed to prepare participants for the spring racing season. The goal is to improve strength, flexibility and endurance.

There are two different training circuits this winter. The traditional arrangement consists of the team meeting from Monday through Friday at the SRA boathouse on the Western Waterfront from 4 to 5:30 p.m. each day. Participants also come down on most Saturday's for training from 9 to 10:30 a.m. The cost for this program is $350. Head Coach Troy Smith's main goal is for each participant to get in shape. He said, "Not everyone has the same skill level so I have everyone working at their own speed. Typically everyone uses the indoor rowing machine four days a week for about 45 minutes to an hour. We also do two days of free weights. To increase flexibility and for fun we sometimes try basic yoga. Many of the kids also like to do yoga on their own time too."

SRA rowers who have not rowed competitively but are planning on doing so for the first time are strongly encouraged to participate in the program. Smith said the program is accepting new kids all the time. He stated, "Nearly every week I have a new kid joining the program. I want kids to come down to the boathouse and get the full experience of our rowing program. They can only get the full feel by coming down to the clubhouse and seeing firsthand what we do all year and what the boathouse looks like." Coach Smith is also always ready to share his rowing experiences which spans more than 10 years. He rowed for three years at the University of Nebraska where he also coached for one year after graduation. After a brief stint at St. Anthony's High School he began coaching at SRA in 2001.

The other program being offered for the first time is being run by Coach Peter Bisek. Coach Bisek has been a member of SRA for many years. From 1989-2000 he coached at Friends Academy. He also helped start their program. After a two-year stretch coaching at Huntington High School SRA asked him to help Head Coach Troy Smith with the youth program, which had become so popular it needed more coaches.

Bisek is administering the circuit at Evolution Fitness Center located on Main Street. The program runs Monday through Friday from 4 to 5:30 p.m. each day. In addition to erging, participants do a variety of activities including weight lifting, aerobics, and can use all the other equipment that the gym offers. They can even use the boxers' punching bags. Also, twice a week, they workout with Lisa Soldano, a professional personal trainer. The cost for this program is $750.

The idea for the program at Evolution Fitness came about because last winter was so cold and hence the metal boathouse was unusually chilly. With the help of some parents Coach Bisek worked with Steve Gourlay of Evolution Fitness to create a training program. Bisek said, "Working indoors at Evolution Fitness is a very comfortable and enjoyable experience. The kids love working out at Evolution Fitness. We also have many of the advanced rowers participating in this program who are trying to take their training to the next level."

Some of the participants have become dedicated to year round training not just for fun or to stay in shape, but also for the competition. The year round training is valuable, especially since many major universities and colleges throughout the country are offering substantial scholarships to talented rowers. The SRA is regularly contacted by good schools seeking talent for their crew teams. Coach Smith said that sometimes they get athletes to join that are juniors and seniors who know that they will never be good enough to play a widespread sport like basketball at a college level. He added, "We once had an athletic female who joined as a senior. She was competitive and just from one year of rowing she received a full ride to college."

For more information about rowing or boating please contact me at 922-0555 or JaimeVanDyke@gmail.com. Please also visit www.sagamoreyc.com or look up SagamoreRacing on Yahoo!Groups on the web.