Constructive Feedback

Recently, we have been recieving some complaints from our viewers. Although some are constructive (such as post more pictures!) others are not so. The most popular ones are as follows:

1. Change US Colors from Red White and Blue to Cheetah


2. Instead of selection camp, begin an underground fight club to determine team members.


3. Have a badminton tournament.


4. Change the US "mascot" from the eagle to a swan.

While these changes are interesting, some of them are just implausible! First of all, how could we have a badminton tournament without equipment. The mere thought of gathering enough people and raquets, not to mention birdies!, to play with is a logistical nightmare.

Although nothing would please me more than changing the colors to a more "intimidating" and threatening scheme, my complexion works best with red white and blue so I am afraid that I cannot change this either. However, I am working on adopting a cheetah from the African wilderness as the new team pet!

As far as the second complaint goes, I can neither confirm nor deny the rumors of what may or may not have happened this summer nor comment on the plans for this summer.

Finally, I would like to say that I CAN do something about the National Emblem of the United States. As of today, December 16th 2010, I have officially changed National Emblem from the Bald Eagle to the Swan. Your welcome.

PICTURE OF THE DAY:

Chandler Lally as a young tot.

In less than one week, about 25 of the country's fastest junior women rowers (at this time) will be headed off to good, old Austin, Texas. Founded in 1845 when it was annexed into the United States under James Polk (our nation's 9th president, nicknames James "Polka-Dot" Polk, or "Polka Dance Man"), Texas is a fine state. The rowing club (Texas Rowing Center) is located in near the scenic Lady Bird Lake and is rumored to have never had a windy day.

Last year, the junior women who came had a fun and packed long weekend of rowing, erging, and of course eating! Here is a picture of the Head Coach this year, Liz Trond, eating something at the team dinner last year:

Liz Trond sits down to a meager helping of food after an
arduous day of coaching.



What a charmer!

This year, Head Coach Liz Trond, Assistant Coach Kate Maloney, and Assistant Coach Sandy Armstrong will join HP Team Head Coach Cass Cunningham in assessing the power, endurance, and potential of the junior athletes invited. Last year was awesome, and no doubt this year will return the same amount of success.

Last year, many athletes were identified at this camp for the 2010 Junior National Team (10 athletes in total), and many went on to the 2010 Junior High Performance Team. Additionally, many newcomers came and showcased their talent, really raising the bar.

Rowing on the final morning in Austin, Texas.
What a fun morning filled with switches and hard racing!

Some goals to reach for this year are (assuming the measures for anerobic and and aerobic training remain the same):

• 400 watts (or better) on the 1" max power assesment; this translates to about a 1:36.5 split.


• 2:00 (or better) for 4 by 10 minutes with 2" rest.

This year, we're looking forward to rowing hard, learning a lot about nutrition and excercise, and EATING (not necessarily in that order)! In the 2009 camp, there was even a super cool nutrition seminar, and our meals were filled with whole wheat and nutritious foods.

1 day until camp!

Look! What a joyous family we are.....

It has been a while since my last post, but after a well-deserved break, it is time to start preparing for the 2011 FISA Junior World Championships in Eton, England. Last year, the United States had an extremely successful showing, bringing home gold in the JM8+, silver in the JW4- and JW8+, and a bronze medal in the JM1x! Additionally, the JW4x made the Grand Final for the first time in United States history! This could not have been possible without the support from our loyal comrades back in 'Merica.

While New England is beautiful this time of year, the occasional northeaster makes it a region that does not prove to be ideal for rowing. Perhaps it is because the sub-zero temperature makes one numb to the pain of arduous rowing sessions. So, in just four days, 24 of our nation's top junior women rowers will be headed down to Austin, Texas to enjoy rowing on what might be the calmest river known to man in the northeast area of Austin... maybe we'll even have the opportunity to taste some of the local specialties, such as the armadillo taco! All jokes aside, this will be my fourth time attending the High Performance Camp and it has been invaluable to my individual preparation for the Jr. World Championships. The southern hospitality I experienced really made my trip both informative and enjoyable.

A special congratulations goes out to Head Coach Liz Trond, who follows in the footsteps of Justin C. Moore. While some have argued that her flowing blond locks were a factor in her acquisition of this position, I can assure you that this is not the case, although it is an additional benefit. Alongside Trond, USRowing welcomes Sandy Armstrong and Kate Maloney as assistant coaches.