**Please Note: Recruiting takes place only during beginning of each season (Fall, Winter, Spring) and mostly only during the Fall and Winter sessions. If you are keen on joining in the Spring, the executive board will take your case into special consideration.

Are you...
Athletic? Hard working? Driven to succeed?

Do you...
Thrive on challenges? Want to compete as an Iowa Hawkeye?

Iowa Men's Rowing is for you!

Iowa Rowing FAQ:

How much time does rowing take?

When is the rowing season?

What equipment does the club own?

Where do you practice?

Who can join? How do I join?

Do I need to be an athlete?

Are there tryouts?

How safe is rowing? Will I get hurt?

What should I wear when I row?

Is this team a recreational club?

How much does it cost?

Does the club provide the necessary equipment?

Where can I get more information?

What is a Coxswain and what does he/she do?

How much time does rowing take?

The team meets for two-hour practices Mondays-Fridays. Occasionally there are also weekend practices.  Additionally there are regattas that the team attends, which take place over weekends.

We divide the academic year into three seasons: Fall, Winter and Spring. The team practices on the water during the Fall and Spring seasons and indoors during the Winter season.

The club has twenty Concept2 ergs, three 8+ boats, four 4+ boats, one pair/double boat, one single boat, four sets of oars, and one launch.

We practice on the Iowa River (our boathouse is a part of the IATL) and in the Field House. When river conditions are unsuitable for practice, during the water season, the team practices on the Coralville Reservoir or on Lake MacBride.

Any University of Iowa undergraduate (male or female) can join. To join, contact any one of the officers listed on the Contact Us page for information on where and when practices are.

You don’t have to be an athlete before you join the team. You will be, however, expected to become one as you continue to attend practices and spend more time with the team.

Tryouts will be held if necessary if the team size exceeds the capacity of the equipment that the team owns. Prospective rowers should also be warned that rowing is a very demanding sport. Practices can be intense, so unless you are willing to put in the requisite amount of effort you may not enjoy yourself.

If you have never rowed before, that is most definitely not a problem. Almost everyone on the team was new to rowing when they first joined, and we are always willing to teach new members what they need to know.

Because it takes place on the river, the risk of drowning is always present. That is why every member must pass a swim test and agree to follow all safety regulations or face expulsion from the team (we take member safety very seriously). When done properly, however, rowing is as safe as football, basketball or any other sport and can be just as much fun.

Rowing is a physically demanding sport which involves the use of all main muscle groups. Serious rowers can expect sore muscles and blisters on the hands from the oar handles.

Shorts and a t-shirt are the norm at practices. Rowers may want to layer up, depending on what the weather is like. We row in the rain, so a light jacket might be handy at those practices. Loose clothes should be avoided (such as baggy shorts), as they may get caught on the seat slides. It is highly recommended spandex shorts be worn on the boat. Shoes are not worn in the shell, and in fact are left on the dock along with all other nonessentials, so don’t bring anything that someone might be interested in stealing!

Yes it is. The Men’s Rowing Team (Club, actually) is recognized as a sport club by the UI Division of Recreational Services and as a student organization by the UI Office of Student Life. It is not recognized as a team by the UI Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Regardless of which department recognizes us (or doesn’t), we’re still Hawkeyes!

Team dues are determined at the beginning of each semester. For the ’08-’09 academic year they will be $300 per semester for rowers and $150 per semester for coxswains. All novice rowers will be given a few weeks to decide if the rowing team is something that they want to continue to participate in, before dues are collected. Questions about paying dues should be directed to the team Treasurer.

The club will provide almost all the necessary equipment. The only things members are expected to get for themselves will be water bottles and uniforms from our supplier.

Rowing, also known as "crew," is an established sport with a long and rich history. A list of links to informative websites has been compiled and can be found on our Resources page.

What is a Coxswain and what does he/she do?

A coxswain is an essential member of the rowing team. Coxswains steer boats, give commands to rowers, help run practices and ensure the safety of the crew. Without a coxswain, it is impossible for a boat to be launched. Since coxswains do not row in the boat, it is preferred that a coxswain is small and light. No experience is required to be a coxswain on the team.

Contact us if you're interested!