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    Rower Academy

    The Truth About 2k Erg Scores: What College Coaches Really Want

    By roweracademyAdmissions, Motivation, Recruiting, Rowers
    Does the Confusion About Recruitable 2k Scores look like this in your head? Then let us structure and simplify it for you. If there is one question that keeps high...
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    February 4, 2026
    Love0

    From Fear to Opportunity: Mastering Rowing Recruiting

    By roweracademyAdmissions, Motivation, Recruiting, Rowers

    For many high school rowers, the biggest obstacle standing between them and their collegiate dreams isn’t physical—it’s mental. At Rower Academy, we constantly encourage our athletes to operate out of…

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    February 3, 2026
    Love0

    Communicating with College Rowing Coaches: Dos and Don’ts

    By roweracademyAdmissions, Motivation, Recruiting, Rowers

    You have put in the meters on the erg. You have blistered your hands on the oars and kept your grades up in the classroom. Now, you are facing a…

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    January 29, 2026
    Love0

    Erg Scores and College Recruiting: What You Need to Know

    By roweracademyRecruiting, Rowers, Rowing Training

    Every rower knows the erg. It’s the machine we love to hate (and if anyone tells me they love it… I don’t believe them). But, it’s also one of the…

    Read More
    January 26, 2026
    Love0

    Rowing Machine Altitude Calculator

    By roweracademyMotivation
    Altitude-Adjusted Erg Calculator: How Much Faster Could You Row at Sea Level? Introduction If you train or test on the rowing ergometer at altitude, you’ve probably wondered: what would this...
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    October 23, 2025
    Love0

    Rower Academy Erg Pace Calculator

    By roweracademyRowing Tools
    Unlock Your Rowing Potential with the Ergometer Pace Calculator If you're serious about rowing—whether on the water or on the ergometer—understanding your performance metrics is key to improvement. The Rower...
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    October 1, 2025
    Love0

    Saying Less and Meaning More

    By roweracademyCoxswains, Making Calls, Technical Calls

    syl·la·ble /ˈsiləb(ə)l/ noun a unit of pronunciation having one vowel sound, with or without surrounding consonants, forming the whole or a part of a word; e.g., there are two syllables…

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    January 19, 2021
    Love1

    Creating Character in Coxswains

    By roweracademyCharacter, Coxswains, Leadership

    Creating Character in Coxswains Through the Full Embrace of the Pursuit of Their Craft “Coxing is a role of importance and leadership, unmatched in sport. It is a job that…

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    August 27, 2020
    Love0

    RA Coxswain Coach Dan Gilbert Interview

    By roweracademyCharacter, Coxswains, Leadership, Videos

    “No one wants to row with jerks… in the end, the only thing you get to takeaway from the whole [rowing] experience, is your character” – Dan Gilbert In this…

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    August 14, 2020
    Love0

    Rower Academy | Beating Paralysis Through Analysis

    By roweracademyMotivation, Rowing Training

    Beating Paralysis Through Analysis.  Focusing on Process Over Outcome      As we often talk about in rowing, you can overthink the rowing stroke, you can overthink your training, you…

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    August 12, 2020
    Love0

    The Rower Whisperer

    By roweracademyCoxswains, Making Calls

    Our coach loved 15-minute pieces in a 5,4,3,2,1 structure starting at an 18 rating – we did them all the time – and I was in for another day of…

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    July 1, 2020
    Love0

    Coxing in a Square

    By roweracademyCoxswains, Making Calls, Technical Calls

    There is good silence, like the beat of rest in a well-executed call, and there is bad silence. Bad silence not only vacuums coxing from your brain, it erases the…

    Read More
    June 15, 2020
    Love0

    The F Word

    By roweracademyCoxswains, Making Calls

    “Brighton……..Brighton, way’nuff please!” the megaphone crackled. “Brighton Coxie, I’d like to speak to you.” I didn’t know what the referee wanted, but I knew if a USRowing referee wants to…

    Read More
    June 1, 2020
    Love0

    Use This Drill to Guarantee a Strong and Efficient Finish (Video)

    By roweracademyRowing Technique, Rowing Training, Videos

    The Feet Out Drill (feet out of the foot straps), will help promote proper technique and greater efficiency throughout your rowing stroke.  Coach Walton shows us how to do feet out…

    Read More
    March 20, 2020
    Love0

    The Three Pause Drills You Should Do to Improve Your Rowing

    By roweracademyRowing Technique, Rowing Training, Rowing Workout, Videos

    These three pause drills (finish pause, arms away pause, and body over pause) will help promote proper technique and greater efficiency throughout your rowing stroke.  Coach Walton shows us how to…

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    March 18, 2020
    Love0

    The Two Rowing Drills You Should Do Before Every Workout (Video)

    By roweracademyMotivation, Rowing Technique, Rowing Workout, Videos

    These two staple drills, the “pick drill” and “feet out drill” will help promote proper technique and greater efficiency throughout your rowing stroke.  Coach Walton shows us how to do these…

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    March 5, 2020
    Love0

    Coaching for the Future to Find Success in the Present

    By roweracademyMotivation, Rowing Training

    Click Photo or click HERE to read the article Coaching for the Future to Find Success in the Present – article by Mike Wallin “Remember, these are 15-18 year old…

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    March 3, 2020
    Love0

    Fix Your Rowing – Shooting the Slide (Video)

    By roweracademyRowing Technique, Rowing Training, Rowing Workout, Videos

    Coach Walton starts by showing us bad technique, disconnecting the core at the catch, pressing the legs, and leaving the handle behind at the front end.  He then goes on…

    Read More
    February 24, 2020
    Love0

    Fix Your Rowing – Too Much Layback (Video)

    By roweracademyRowing Technique, Rowing Training, Rowing Workout, Videos

    Coach Walton starts by showing us bad technique, laying back too far with the body at the finish.  He then goes on to detail three drills which help correct the…

    Read More
    February 21, 2020
    Love0

    Fix Your Rowing – Lunging at the Catch (Video)

    By roweracademyRowing Technique, Rowing Training, Rowing Workout, Videos

    Lunging at the Catch Coach Walton starts by showing us bad technique, lunging with the body and diving into the catch.  He then goes on to detail two drills which…

    Read More
    February 21, 2020
    Love0

    Fix Your Rowing – Lifting with Your Back (Video)

    By roweracademyRowing Technique, Rowing Training, Rowing Workout, Videos

    Coach Walton starts by showing us bad technique, lifting with the body and overusing the back out of the catch.  He then goes on to detail two drills which help…

    Read More
    February 21, 2020
    Love0

    Fix Your Rowing – Grabbing at the Catch (Video)

    By roweracademyRowing Technique, Rowing Training, Videos

    Coach Walton starts by showing us bad technique, grabbing with the arms at the catch and overusing the biceps. He then goes on to detail three drills which help correct…

    Read More
    February 18, 2020
    Love0

    Athlete Training Journal (Video)

    By roweracademyMotivation, Rowing Training, Videos

    Coach Walton discusses the value of keeping and updating your athlete training journal. https://youtu.be/8PjQDa07DBw  …   To view the rest of this content (including any pictures/videos), please use our member…

    Read More
    February 7, 2020
    Love0

    NCAA Eligibility Timeline

    By roweracademyAdmissions, Eligibility, NCAA, Recruiting

    If you are interested in rowing in college, you not only need to be of a high athletic standard, you also need to be of a certain academic standard as…

    Read More
    February 5, 2020
    Love0

    Managing Your Training and Racing Anxiety (Video)

    By roweracademyMotivation, Videos

    Coach, Luke Walton discusses anxiety in training and racing. Luke covers how and why anxiety/worry creep into our psyche, how it results in “paralysis through analysis,” and how taking action…

    Read More
    February 5, 2020
    Love0

    Excuses

    By roweracademyMotivation, Videos

    Rower Academy Founder and Coach, Luke Walton discusses how we use excuses as a mental crutch and what we can do to get past them. After conducting an objective critique…

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    January 31, 2020
    Love0

    The Three Numbers That Matter (Video)

    By roweracademyACT, Admissions, Motivation, Recruiting, SAT, Videos

    At the 2019 Head of the Charles Regatta, Rower Academy caught up with Ed and Susie Piegza, whose sons (a Cornell Lightweight Alum and a current Penn Heavyweight) both worked…

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    January 21, 2020
    Love0

    The Secret to Rowing Success (Video)

    By roweracademyMotivation, Videos

    A conversation with Rower Academy Coach and Founder, Luke Walton about the secret to rowing success and how being consistent, managing expectations/emotions, and limiting the damage on the “bad days”…

    Read More
    January 16, 2020
    Love0

    “Drive Your Process” – Dan Walsh (Video)

    By roweracademyMotivation, Recruiting, Videos

    Rower Academy caught up with 2008 Olympian (Bronze Medalist), Coach, Mentor, and Hudson Boat Works Team Member, Dan Walsh at the 2019 Head of the Charles Regatta. The video captures…

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    January 10, 2020
    Love0

    Deeming Ourselves Worthy (Video)

    By roweracademyMotivation, Recruiting, Videos

    A conversation with Rower Academy Coach and Founder, Luke Walton about the college rowing recruiting process, the hang ups athletes often face during the process, and how best to create…

    Read More
    January 9, 2020
    Love0

    Detach Yourself From Outcome and Opinion

    By roweracademyMotivation

    A message from our Founder, Luke Walton “Something I have learned over my years: Not everyone will share a common vision or belief in your life goals.  And, as it…

    Read More
    December 11, 2019
    Love0

    USRowing 2019 Olympic Development Mini-Camps

    By roweracademyNational Team Rowers, U19 Rowers

    “In response to the successes of the regional Summer Olympic Development Programs, USRowing is offering weekend-long ODP Regional Mini-Camps this fall and winter that will be hosted in five regions around…

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    September 10, 2019
    Love0

    What is a Pre-Read?

    By roweracademyAdmissions, Pre-Read, Recruiting
    Even if the college rowing program you’re being recruited by has supported admission spots, it does not mean that the coach can use a spot freely on you without first...
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    September 3, 2019
    Love0

    Questions You Should Ask On Your Unofficial/Official Visits

    By roweracademyAdmissions, Ivy League, NCAA, Recruiting

    While you are on a campus visit, consider asking questions about these topics to learn more about the school, athletics program, and life on campus. You also can get suggestions…

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    September 2, 2019
    Love0

    Important NCAA Recruiting Terminology

    By roweracademyEligibility, NCAA, Recruiting

    The NCAA recruiting process has a language that’s almost all its own. To help you better navigate the unique terminology of the recruiting process, Rower Academy has provided you with…

    Read More
    August 30, 2019
    Love0

    NCAA Recruiting Communication Rules & Timeline

    By roweracademyNCAA, Recruiting

    2019/20 DI, DII, DIII Recruiting Calendars   NCAA member schools limit recruiting to certain periods during the year. Recruiting calendars promote the well-being of college-bound student-athletes and ensure fairness among…

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    August 30, 2019
    Love0

    Timeline and Steps to Meet NCAA Eligibility Requirements

    By roweracademyACT, Eligibility, NCAA, Recruiting, SAT

    If you want to row in college, at the bare minimum, you will need to be deemed eligible to do so by the NCAA. The NCAA recently updated and published…

    Read More
    August 27, 2019
    Love0

    UPDATED: 2019-20 NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete

    By roweracademyEligibility, NCAA, Recruiting

    The NCAA just released its updated 2019-20 NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete.  Click the picture or the link below to access the full 40 page PDF.  Learn more about the NCAA,…

    Read More
    August 27, 2019
    Love0

    Time Management – NCAA Divisions I, II, and III

    By roweracademyEligibility, NCAA

    The NCAA is comprised of three divisions (Division I, Division II, and Division III), “created in 1973 to align like-minded campuses in areas of philosophy, competition, and opportunity.” As a…

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    August 18, 2019
    Love0

    Rowing is a Sport of Acceleration

    By roweracademyRowing Technique

    At the front end of the rowing stroke, the goal is to achieve a quick catch. Too often, rowers hear the word “quick,” and replace it with the word “hard.”…

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    August 14, 2019
    Love0

    Flexibility

    By roweracademyRowing Technique

    If tension in your hamstrings, glutes, and low back prevents you from achieving the body over position after the finish, you can be sure that you will not be rowing…

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    August 6, 2019
    Love0

    2019-2020 ACT Test Dates and Registration

    By roweracademyACT, Eligibility, NCAA

    The ACT is a nationally administered, standardized paper-and-pencil test that helps colleges evaluate candidates. Further, the ACT (and/or SAT) is an NCAA eligibility requirement for any high school student athlete who…

    Read More
    August 2, 2019
    Love0

    2019-2020 SAT Test Dates and Registration

    By roweracademyEligibility, NCAA, SAT

    The SAT is a nationally administered, standardized paper-and-pencil test that helps colleges evaluate candidates.  Further, the SAT (and/or ACT) is an NCAA eligibility requirement for any high school student athlete who…

    Read More
    August 1, 2019
    Love0

    “I know they have rowing, but…”

    By roweracademyAdmissions, NCAA, Recruiting

    Rower Academy is always working hard to bring you the best resources to assist you in becoming even more educated about the various Colleges and Universities and their rowing programs….

    Read More
    August 1, 2019
    Love0

    A Message From Our Founder

    By roweracademyMotivation

    The founder of RA, Luke Walton, is not only a 2004 Olympic Rower but a proven coach of High School Athletes. He has equipped countless students with the athletic skillset…

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    August 1, 2019
    Love0

    The Only Stroke that Matters…

    By roweracademyRowing Technique

    If you do not complete a stroke to the very best of your ability, then you can be sure the next stroke will be compromised. Chasing strokes (i.e. rushing to…

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    July 30, 2019
    Love0

    Workout Wednesday 07/24/19

    By roweracademyRowing Workout

    These pieces are to be completed at the designated rating. Each stroke rating is held for 1000m. When shifting up, push a little stronger with the legs and allow a…

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    July 24, 2019
    Love0

    Rowing Recruiting & Athletic Scholarship Statistics

    By roweracademyAdmissions, NCAA, Recruiting

    Market Watch ran a story on Nov 7, 2018, entitled “Here are the best sports for a college scholarship.” The story featured Patrick O’Rourke, a certified public accountant in Washington,…

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    July 23, 2019
    Love0

    Horizontal Motion in the Rowing Stroke

    By roweracademyRowing Technique

    This is a relatively straight forward concept. The machine and the boat only register effort across the horizontal plane. Therefore, any body movement that manifests in energy being sent to…

    Read More
    July 23, 2019
    Love0

    Workout Wednesday 07/17/19

    By roweracademyRowing Workout

    Steady state pieces, holding between 18-22 Strokes per min. Work to make the stroke as connected and strong as possible. Focus on suspending between the feet and handle. Rowing is…

    Read More
    July 17, 2019
    Love0

    The Finish of the Rowing Stroke

    By roweracademyRowing Technique

    No matter how strong your arms are, they are not stronger than your legs and core. As such, the majority of the force, power, and speed achieved during the drive…

    Read More
    July 16, 2019
    Love0

    Workout Wednesday 07/10/19

    By roweracademyRowing Workout

    Three 3k pieces, with the intention of going as quickly as possible across the distance. 24 strokes per minute is tricky, and this workout has a tendency to blow athletes…

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    July 10, 2019
    Love0

    Body Over, Before Releasing the Knees

    By roweracademyRowing Technique

    Achieving the body over position, before releasing the knees and sliding towards the catch, ensures that the body is in the strongest position to take the catch and will also…

    Read More
    July 9, 2019
    Love0

    Luke Walton, RA Founder – PAC 12 All Century Team

    By roweracademyMotivation

    ‘Pac-12 Sports Report’ reveals Men’s and Women’s All-Century Rowing teams Press Release, May 10, 2016: “The teams, comprised of 22 rowers and 3 coxswains, were voted on by a panel…

    Read More
    July 4, 2019
    Love0

    Workout Wednesday 07/03/19

    By roweracademyRowing Workout

    #WorkoutWednesday Steady state pieces, at 18-20 strokes per minute. Aim to row a consistent split on both pieces, one that you can hold at 18-20 strokes per minute. Efficiency is…

    Read More
    July 3, 2019
    Love0

    Workout Wednesday 06/26/19

    By roweracademyRowing Workout

    6k Prep. 30 minutes light steady state means 30 min light steady state. Whatever your traditional steady state split, take 2-3 seconds off it and focus on mechanics and efficiency….

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    June 26, 2019
    Love0

    Good Posture Comes From Hip Angle/Position

    By roweracademyRowing Technique

    Good posture is extremely important in rowing. Good posture comes from a solid CORE and good FLEXIBILITY. It may sound a little too simplistic, but your ability/inability to touch your…

    Read More
    June 25, 2019
    Love0

    Workout Wednesday 06/19/19

    By roweracademyRowing Workout

    4k pieces, with the intention of going as quickly as possible across the distance. 24 strokes per minute is tricky, and this workout has a tendency to blow athletes up….

    Read More
    June 19, 2019
    Love0

    Catch, Then Drive – Technique Tuesday 06/18/19

    By roweracademyRowing Technique

    Assuming you have achieved a solid body over position after the finish of the stroke and before you begin traveling up the slide to the catch, you then release the…

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    June 18, 2019
    Love0

    Workout Wednesday 06/12/19

    By roweracademyRowing Workout

    #WorkoutWednesday with #RA Steady state pieces, at 18-20 strokes per minute. Aim to row a consistent split on both pieces, one that you can hold at 18-20 strokes per minute. Efficiency is…

    Read More
    June 12, 2019
    Love0

    Move with the Boat Around the Catch – Technique Tuesday 06/11/19

    By roweracademyRowing Technique

    At the front end of the rowing stroke, you must allow the blade to bury and allow yourself to feel connection with the boat (pressure against feet and handle) before…

    Read More
    June 11, 2019
    Love0

    “We Learn More About Ourselves in Defeat Than We Do in Victory”

    By roweracademyMotivation

    RA founder, Luke Walton (pictured above) after the Cambridge v Oxford Boat Race loss in 2006. In Luke’s own words: “We lost to a worthy opponent that day. This picture…

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    June 9, 2019
    Love0

    NCAA Academic Eligibility Requirements for HS Students

    By roweracademyEligibility, NCAA

    Being recruited to row in college requires more than an impressive 2k score.  You’re called a “Student Athlete” (with the word “Student” first) for a reason.  And performance metrics other…

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    June 5, 2019
    Love0

    Proper Oar Handle Grip – Technique Tuesday 06/04/19

    By roweracademyRowing Technique

    Tension is a boat speed killer. Tension that starts in your hands will travel up the arms and manifest in locked down shoulders and neck. Once the tension sinks into…

    Read More
    June 4, 2019
    Love0

    Under 19 U.S. National Team

    By roweracademyNational Team Rowers, U19 Rowers

    USRowing’s Under 19 National Team represents the U.S. at the World Rowing Junior Championships each year. USRowing selects, trains and manages the teams that represent the U.S. in international competition,…

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    June 1, 2019
    Love0

    NCAA Eligibility – “Certification” vs “Profile” Account

    By roweracademyEligibility, NCAA

    Getting started with your recruiting process can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to the NCAA.  Knowing when and where to start and which steps need to be taken along…

    Read More
    May 31, 2019
    Love0

    Ivy League Admissions Procedure

    By roweracademyAdmissions, Ivy League

    The Eight Participating Ivy League Institutions (with links to their Admissions Departments) Brown University       Harvard University Columbia University     University of Pennsylvania Cornell University      Princeton…

    Read More
    May 29, 2019
    Love0

    Luke Walton, RA Founder – What Does Rowing Mean to Me?

    By roweracademyMotivation

    Our Founder, Luke Walton (pictured in seven seat above), delivered this speech to the current oarsman, parents, and alumni as the guest speaker at the annual Cal Crew Heavyweight Men’s…

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    May 29, 2019
    Love0

    Registering with the NCAA Eligibility Center

    By roweracademyEligibility, NCAA

    If you want to row in college, creating an account with the NCAA Eligibility Center is the first step to becoming an NCAA student-athlete. DIVISION I OR IIYou will need…

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    May 25, 2019
    Love0

    Rowing is a Push and Hang Sport – Technique Tuesday 05/21/19

    By roweracademyRowing Technique

    Rowing is a push and hang sport. Not a pull sport. A good rowing stroke is dominated by the legs (which initiate the drive phase out of the catch) and the…

    Read More
    May 21, 2019
    Love0

    Understanding the College Rowing Recruiting Process

    By roweracademyRecruiting

    When it comes to rowing in college, getting recruited to the school of your choice is the goal. The recruiting process is complex, directed largely by the student-athlete and his/her…

    Read More
    May 20, 2019
    Love0

    Rower Academy – Founder’s Statement

    By roweracademyMotivation

    OUR FOUNDER – LUKE WALTON UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO BUILDING BETTER STUDENT ATHLETES AS THEY PREPARE TO ROW IN COLLEGE “I am the oldest Walton son and the first to be…

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    May 15, 2019
    Love0

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