Rowing Club season begins

With a new coach and boat house, Cleveland State University's Viking Crew Rowing Club is more than ready for its upcoming season. 

Kate Hanseman has taken the position of new head coach of the Crew. She has four years of coaching experience, including eight years of coxswain experience.

The coxswain not only directs the rowboats, but also checks the rowers' stroke rates and yells out words of encouragement to the athletes through a microphone.

Hanseman says that the main goal of the team is to raise its numbers and improve its race times at every chance.

Hartwell Muller, a third-season member of the Vikings Crew, is just as optimistic about the upcoming season and new addition to the team.

"I am really excited about the returning rowers and the new coach," says Muller. "I think the coach will bring a new perspective with her experience to our organization."

A major regatta, or race, called the Head of the Cuyahoga Regatta (HOTC) is hosted each year by the Cleveland Rowing Foundation. The race is held on the Cuyahoga River here in Cleveland. High school, collegiate, and adult competitors across the United States are welcome to compete in the regatta races. 

Last year, more than 1,000 rowers were involved in the race.

Viking Crew will compete with other collegiate rowing organizations in this event,  facing off  in a series of several races against Case Western Reserve University, John Carroll University and other schools. Spectators are welcome to watch the HOTC on Sept. 17.  

The Men's Varsity Four Event, a 5k race, is one of the main races in which CSU Rowing is involved in at the HOTC. 

The Crew competes rowing 5,000-meter events in the fall and 2,000-meter events in the spring.

The sport uses your entire body and requires intense teamwork and discipline. The team meets as early as 5 a.m. for practices at the new Cleveland Rowing Foundation boat house located at 1785 Merwin Ave.  

Rowing is one of many club sports offered to students on CSU campus. There is a Club Soccer team called Futbol Club, Ultimate Frisbee Club, Cricket Club, and Kendo Club.

Any student can participate in these club sports. The rowing team accepts both women and men interested in joining the team. Rowers are taught how to row with proper technique, and first year rowers compete in a novice class, which requires no prior experience. 

For more information on CSU's Viking Crew Rowing Club, visit their Web page at www.csurowing.com.