Are you a seventh- or eight-grader looking for a new sport? You’re invited to join Walter Johnson Crew on June 3-4 for a quick introduction to rowing (otherwise known as crew). This is a brand-new addition to our regular Learn-To-Row program that takes place in late summer! If you’re interested, let us know by completing this online form and we’ll let you know more.
Even if you’ve never held an oar in your life, this is a great time to learn crew. In fact, unlike in other sports, most rowers get started in high school with no prior experience. Successful rowers have come from sports like soccer, track, cross country, swimming, volleyball, and lacrosse. Regardless of your body size or current athletic ability, there’s a place for you.
While rowing is intensely competitive, it’s also a lot of fun. And if you join, you can expect to get in fantastic physical shape. You’ll develop upper and lower body strength as well as endurance and agility. But winning in crew also requires a very high level of teamwork, camaraderie, and cooperation. It’s all about your boat working together like a well-oiled machine! And let’s not forget the coxswain, who steers the boat and gives instructions to the rowers. For this role, it helps to be smart, on the lighter side, and verbal. Our coaches are always looking for new coxswains!
WJ Crew is a great Walter Johnson tradition that is getting better all the time. In recent years we’ve had success at races in our region as well as nationally. Starting on day one, you’ll find yourself part of a close-knit community that includes freshman through seniors, as well as their families and supporters. (Your parents will quickly learn that keeping a crew team going takes a lot of hands pitching in!) Rowing on a high school crew team can be a big time commitment, but most kids find time to keep up their grades while being on the team.
Need more encouragement? Take a look at the comments on our home page from a WJ Crew member, and check out this video about the making of The Boys In The Boat, an upcoming PBS documentary based on the well-known book, which also features a former WJ Crew rower who now competes in college. We hope to see you soon on the water!
