In this article we will explore some very easy steps you can take to modernise your fleet of rowing boats – focusing on three key areas.
Wesley College have benefitted greatly from a thoughtful and strategic approach to their fleet of rowing boats
School Rowing programs are the perfect framework for students to learn the importance of process to achieve an outcome, while challenging themselves in a sport that rewards resilience, hard work and persistence. The specification and suitability of the boats the students row in will impact their athletic development, injury rate, and overall experience.
The Ultimate Rowing Fleet
Traditionally, rowing boats were passed down from the Senior First crews to junior athletes within a boatshed. In 2024 this is certainly not the case, with World Class Coaches understanding the importance of boat shape, stiffness, and size in achieving desired outcomes for rowers.
As a major supplier of equipment to Rowing Schools in Australia, here are some tips we consider "best practice" in guiding decision making around fleet management in school rowing programs.
We will cover three key contributors to the Ultimate Rowing Fleet;
#1: Appropriately sized boats is a non negotiable
The good old days of putting junior rowers in boats designed for 100kgs rowers are over! Having year 8 students bobbing around like a cork in the ocean is not conducive to enjoyment, technical development, and ultimately, retention.
International boat manufacturers offer a broad range of mould shapes in all boats classes that are tailored to the target different crew average. Even where crew weight ranges for shapes overlap, there will be subtle differences in boat shapes to ensure the height of the rowers seat is correct, and that the angle of attack of the blade to the water is optimal. There are several positive outcomes from optimising the size of the boat;
Students can be set up correctly in the boat avoiding injury
Students feel a sense of control over the behaviour of the boat
Students have the opportunity to understand the feedback loop between their movements and the behaviour/performance of the boat. This results in the time they spend training (and let's face it, rowing is a huge commitment) accelerating their development and understanding of how to move a boat.
#2: Maximum return on investment
We all know rowing is a magnificent sport. No doubt many of you reading this are still involved in rowing because of your love for the sport that would have begun at School! The problem is the equipment is very sophisticated and expensive. To add to this, old rowing boats are a complete money pit!
Putting year 8 students in $40,000 quads is completely unnecessary and also detracts from the money that can be put towards either; getting more students in modern equipment, or ensuring senior rowers that have committed to the program for 3-4 years have the equipment they need to be competitive at State and National Championships.
We have partnered with many rowing programs to develop a boat turnover plan that is optimised towards the best possible outcomes using the Capital Budget allocated, and to ensure the equipment the students row in is appropriate and as modern as possible.
#3: Long Term Strategic Fleet Rotation
The final key factor, and where you should begin, is with a long term plan. There are four key steps to planning the rotation of your fleet to achieve the best outcomes for your students;
Assess the current fleet you have, and plan to dispose of what is unsuitable in specification or costing you a fortune in maintenance costs. Using online classifieds such as Rowtrade can turn boats that are sitting there into cash that can be used to upgrade your fleet
Ensure you know what Capital Budget is available to spend. If you have a rowing program that has seen significant growth in size and you are struggling to service the student population then you need to address this in your capital requests
Partner with a boat supplier. We constantly see the best outcomes when we work closely with a program for multiple year- everyone wins! The key benefit here is from our loyal customer discounts and knowledge of the products we sell. We work with program leaders to ensure they have exactly what they need when they need it
Be clear on the Your's and the School's vision for the program and create a 5-10 year plan that reflects this vision.
Having a boat supplier with staff that "have been there and done that" as rowers, coaches and program leaders is crucial to ensuring you receive the most suitable equipment for your needs. It is our goal to ensure we understand your needs and work alongside you to ensure you realise the full potential of your program!