Daughter wants to walk onto womens rowing team, whats the deal with this? Is it hard? Also what does she need to do to join? Can she walk-on now?
Joining the UCLA women's rowing team as a walk-on is entirely possible, even for those without prior rowing experience. The program is open year-round for interested athletes, emphasizing a strong athletic background and a commitment to rigorous training.
Difficulty and Expectations
While no rowing experience is necessary, the process can be quite challenging. Key expectations include:
- Athletic Background: Ideally, candidates should have participated in a varsity sport during high school.
- Commitment: Expect demanding tryouts, including a two-week trial period with physical testing on rowing machines. Morning practices require a significant time commitment.
- Scholarship Opportunities: Walk-ons may eventually earn athletic scholarships, as many Olympic rowers began their careers this way.
To initiate the walk-on process, your daughter should:
1.
Contact the Coach:
Reach out to Summit Gillespie at sgillespie@athletics.ucla.edu to express interest and inquire about tryout schedules. 2.
Complete the Questionnaire:
Fill out the official UCLA Rowing Walk-On Questionnaire to provide her athletic history. 3.
Attend Meetings/Tryouts:
Stay informed about upcoming informational meetings or tryouts, typically held at the start of the academic year. 4.
Prepare Physically:
While not mandatory, familiarizing herself with rowing machines and improving overall fitness can enhance her chances during tryouts.
She can start this process immediately by contacting the coach and completing the questionnaire.