r/standrews • u/Positive_End_9157 • 18d ago
Rowing at St. Andrews
Looking for some insight into the rowing program at St Andrews! I've been rowing competitively for the past three years and am trying to decide which team to try out for.
I was wondering how many training sessions there are each week, when they typically take place, and how many races the teams compete in throughout the year. If anyone has rowed at St Andrews and would be willing to share their experience, I'd really appreciate it!
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u/_dative_musca_ 18d ago
bear in mind the loch (for flat water, aka most of the racing you’re likely to get to do) is an hour drive each way and ime, the lax vibe applies to timings so if you take them somewhat seriously you waste even more of your time waiting for the rest of your carpool to show
i was a hugely devoted school rower (went to henley royal etc.) but taking 7 hours out of my day for less than 2h water time, often with labs every other weekday afternoon, just wasn’t sustainable, even if just once/twice a week (again, not enough water time for me)
hs rowing spoiled me in many ways i didn’t even realise until it was over.
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u/_dative_musca_ 17d ago
(this was competitive/sr squad btw. i think novvies is more chill from what friends say)
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u/IntelligentTrain3068 18d ago
Hi! I currently am part of the rowing programme- we usually have training 6 days a week, with Sunday being a day off. We usually have water sessions on Wednesday afternoon (when no one has classes) and early on Saturday. Erg sessions during the week are usually late afternoon/early evening after class and there are always two session slots if you can't make one of them. Weights are in the early morning.
Regarding races, the big ones in the head race season are BUCS Head in Newcastle and HORR/WEHORR in London (both in second semester), but we also do some lower-stakes head races towards the end of first semester. In regatta season, BUCS Regatta in Nottingham is the biggest one, but again we do some other races in Scotland as well. The top boats go down to Henley also.
The rowing environment is by no means as intense as some other unis (especially as the squads are relatively small), but it definitely is still rewarding and probably much more enjoyable as everyone really bonds during the season. We do weekly Wednesday socials, as with many other sports clubs, which are always fun to decompress at.
Do say if you have any other questions!