Rowing club changes course

With the sun still below the horizon, the University of Montana Rowing Club glided out on the lake for their 6 a.m. practice Monday.

This routine is similar to past seasons when the rowing club competed in numerous events around the U.S. and Canada. The training this year occurs a few hours later now that the club has opted for a noncompetitive status in hopes of attracting more members.

"The 4 a.m. practices were a little extreme for most people," said Amanda Argona, UM student and club vice president.

While most student groups ask for a $5 club fee, the rowing club required $300 when competitive to cover entrance fees, lodging and transportation.

Now that they won't be traveling to so many events, it's become much more reasonable for students, Argona said. The club now asks for fifty dollars for the upkeep of the club's two sculling boats.

"It's very, very cheap compared to what some college teams pay," Argona said.

Four days a week, the club drives to Salmon Lake, an hour up Highway 200, to practice before class. Rowers set their 40-foot-long boat into the frigid water and wade in up to their knees before climbing in gently all at the same time, keeping the craft stable.

Monday morning had two novices out with the crew getting their toes wet for the first time.

"It's hard to keep your balance," said freshman Katie Schmidt as she wobbled out of the boat. "A little scary but it's nice out on the water."

Also new to rowing is Alex Jernstrom, a junior studying business management.

"It's relaxing out there," Jernstrom said. "Cold, but very peaceful."

Coach Diana Browning, a University of Colorado graduate and rowing team member, sat in the front of the boat, the coxswain's chair, and directed the rowers.

Browning said anyone can row; it's a matter of confidence on the water and learning technique.

The Portland Fall Classic is the only event the club plans to compete in this semester.

"We do pretty well," Browning said. "At the Portland Fall Classic we've gotten some sort of medal every year."

Club president Katie Matthew said the trip to the coast is always a great introduction to rowing competition.

"Portland is all about giving the new recruits a taste of what a race is like," Matthew said.

The early season practices focus on breaking in the novices, crew cohesion and showing how fun rowing can be, Matthew said, although sometimes the cold, early mornings can be a little rough.

Browning said they usually practice up until November or when the lake starts freezing. It's up to the students to determine how late in the season they want to be out on the lake.

For Argona, a particular rowing event in Alberta, Canada highlighted the adventure and excitement that comes with rowing.

"Last year we were crashed into during a competition," Argona said. "That sculler was really angry at us; it was his oar that got tangled up with ours, but he was trying to pass on the inside so he was in the wrong."

At the time her boat was just getting ahead of another women's team, they got in the mix up with the other boat and the women's team pulled ahead.

"So our coxswain called out for a power 10," Argona said. "That's where we pull as hard and fast as we can for 10 strokes then settle back into a steady pace. That got us ahead of that team again.

"It feels amazing to pass another boat like that," she said. "I'm almost glad that guy crashed into us."

hannah.ryan@umontana.edu