The Intensive Training program (ITP) is intended for members who want to dedicate themselves to intense conditioning and training, above and beyond the Open Rowing program's workouts. On ITP practice days, workouts will be more demanding than in the open rowing program and will promote a competitive training environment. On other days, ITP rowers will participate in aerobic fitness-focused workouts with the Open Rowing program. The goal of this program is to grow a pool of rowers who will be competitive at regional and national competitions, in primarily masters events.

Participation

All rowers wishing to participate in the ITP are expected to meet a minimum skill and fitness level as determined by the coaching staff of AARC. In addition, rowing fitness will be assessed throughout the season through erg testing and on-the-water evaluation. It is expected that the coaches will determine an appropriate skill and fitness level that will balance the stated objectives of completing intense workouts and creating a competitive multiple-boat environment.

ITP rowers are expected to commit to a minimum number of weekly workouts. On average, rowers must participate in at least 3 ITP-specific on-the-water workouts each week. Participation in mixed ITP/Open rows does not count towards this requirement. Continued absence may have an adverse effect on fitness, skill level, and boating selection. Extended absence may require the rower to participate with Open rowing for some period before rejoining the ITP program, or may preclude continued participation with ITP, at the discretion of the ITP coach.

Initial assessment for the Intensive Training Program occurs at the beginning of the spring season, and will include both periodic erg testing and on-the-water testing, in order for the coaching staff to gauge the level of skill and fitness of all interested individuals. Procedures for the testing are publicized to all members in the month prior to such tests. From the initial interest and assessment, the coaches determine the ideal size for the program and select the individuals who meet the established criteria. Initial selection for the ITP program will occur at the end of April 2007. At any point in the season, members who wish to join the Intensive Training Program are encouraged to speak with the Director of Sweep Rowing or designated ITP coach to determine if their skill and fitness level are appropriate for ITP.

Participation of a given individual in the Intensive Training program is at the discretion of the coaching staff, which carries out the program guidelines established by the AARC board. If the coaching staff identifies an individual who is not consistently meeting the skill, fitness, and/or commitment level required for the ITP, the coaching staff reserves the right to switch the rower to the Open Rowing or Basic Skills programs at any point in the season.

Practices

The ITP training plan incorporates 6 ITP-specific weekly workouts (generally medium and high intensity, demanding and competitive in nature), in conjunction with other workouts that are shared with the Open rowing program. ITP-specific practices are held Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings and evenings each week (see Club Calendar for specific days), and practices held in conjunction with the Open Rowing program are Tuesday and Thursday mornings and evenings, plus Saturday mornings. All ITP members are welcome to attend both morning and evening Open/ITP practices.

Practice times may vary with available daylight at the discretion of the Safety Committee; please see the Club Calendar for current practice times.

Coaching

The ITP-specific practices are coached by individuals with particular knowledge and dedication to the ITP training program. Practices held in conjunction with Open Rowing (the mixed rows on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays) will be coached by either the ITP and/or Open rowing coaches for that particular day, who will be following the training plan outlined for both the ITP and Open Rowing Programs.

See the ITP Training page for more information on workouts.

Line-ups

Starting in May, three mornings and evenings each week (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays) will be designated as Program nights. On these nights the coaches will prioritize the formation of boats to ensure that each program can row with members of the same program, and complete the workout for that day. Depending on the number of rowers present, Open Rowing members may be asked to row in the ITP boats, or conversely, extra ITP members may be asked to row with the Open rowing boats. On the remaining two evenings of the week and Saturdays, the Open Rowing and ITP programs will be mixed into line-ups for rows, with no distinction between the two groups. The coaches always retain the option of placing Open Rowing members in a Basic Skills program boat either due to the number of rowers present or a need for technical improvement. It should be noted again that preference will be towards rowing in program specific lineups and mixing cannot necessarily be expected. Coaches will try to limit mixing on the program nights.

Check-in: Rowers must check in for practice no later than 5 minutes before the start of practice to allow the coaches time to form line-ups for a timely start to practice. Rowers who arrive late will be fit into boats as possible, but may not have an opportunity to row.

Formation of line-ups: ITP-specific practice line-ups are made at the sole discretion of the ITP coaching staff. Set boats are not allowed. Rowers should expect the line-ups to vary from "loaded boats" (boats reflecting the coach's evaluation of individuals' rowing abilities) to "random boats" (boats reflecting a mix of rowers with no particular purpose) to "even boats" (boats constructed with the intention of side-by-side competition). At any given evening practice, the boat lineups must take into consideration the total number of rowers, and the number of rowers in each program that are present. It is occasionally necessary for coaches to ask rowers to fill out boats in other programs to ensure a proper rowing experience for all members. At any given practice, there may be extra ITP members that do not fit in the lineups. These rowers are strongly encouraged to complete the workout on the erg or to participate in the morning or evening ITP/open practice for that workout and to fulfill their 3-rows per week requirement.

Morning ITP Rowing practices are for set boats only and as such rowers will need to coordinate in advance to be sure there will be enough rowers present. To begin rowing in the mornings, (see Calendar for Morning ITP days) contact the morning program assistant at aarc-info@umich.edu.

Regattas

For local and regional regattas that AARC attends as a club, the regatta committee will announce deadlines for interest sign-up for the specific regattas. Any AARC member from any program interested in participating in a given regatta can sign up. The coaching staff will then create line-ups from interested rowers, based on events available, number of events desired, and skill level. 

For regional and national competitive regattas, try-outs are organized and run by the coaching staff. The coaches strive to send as many boats as possible to a given regatta and to accommodate all interested rowers in the line-ups. Procedures for try-outs are publicized to all club members well in advance. AARC recognizes there are many different methods to training and conditioning for rowing; therefore, try-outs for these regattas are open to any rower in AARC, regardless of their program participation. Final selection for the line-ups is the decision of the coaching staff. Practice schedules for these boats are set once the crew is selected. These boats practice frequently (3-5 times per week) and require a certain level of commitment. The coaches and rowers work together to select practice times that allow the entire boat to practice together, meaning that some practices may be held at non-standard times. 

Equipment

The Intensive Training Program uses all club sweep equipment. Boat usage assignments are made by the coach at each practice and are worked out with the coaches of the other program, to best utilize the equipment for the size/ability of the rowers and coxswains at any given practice. In creating a competitive environment and preparing for masters competition, ITP rowers should expect to use fours frequently. See the Equipment page for more information on AARC equipment and procedures.

Coxing

All members of the Intensive Training program are required to take part in coxing duties, and must comply with the coxing requirement and schedule. The coxing coordinator keeps track of coxing duties in order to distribute them as evenly as possible.

Fees

Annual Membership Fee = $50 (paid by all club members)

ITP Fee for Full Rowing Season = $400
ITP fee for April = $55
ITP fee for May = $55
ITP fee for June = $69
ITP fee for July = $69
ITP fee for August = $69
ITP fee for September = $58
ITP fee for October/November = $58

Monthly Club Sculling Increment = $15

Please read and be aware of our Refund Policy prior to making the commitment to our programs.

Registration

Registration for AARC Membership and all AARC programs must be done through the SPORG online membership registration system. The appropriate SPORG forms can be accessed by clicking the red "Register" buttons on each page. 

Registration for AARC membership and registration for individual adult rowing programs must now be done on separate forms. Every rower (except for participants in learning programs) myst complete the Membership Form and pay the Membership fee once a year. Every rower must then complete the forms for the programs that he or she wants to participate in for the appropriate months or season. Please pay as many fees as possible using one SPORG "basket;" this minimizes our administrative costs, and we can pass the savings on to you.

PLEASE NOTE: All rowers are required to pass a swim test, which must be signed by a Red Cross certified lifeguard or swim instructor. This is standard policy for USRowing affiliated clubs. The test must be completed by ALL rowers BEFORE getting into a boat. Details available on the Swim Test Page.

If you have registration questions, please email info@a2crew.com.

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