Issue 109 - July 1998

Project Oarsome - Summary

Male rowers

Rowers and rowing

• All enjoy racing, this gives the 'buzz'
• All are fit, and have self discipline because of their rowing
• All prefer to be on the water
• Training is very time consuming and time is the main reason for drop-out

Sport in general

• Sports in which it is easier to participate are more popular
• Sports with more television coverage are more popular
• Young people participate less in sport due to computers

Coaches and coaching

• Ideal coach is enthusiastic, fun, patient, a good rower with a sense of humour
• Certificates at different levels of achievement

Promotion of rowing

• More equipment for juniors and make it bright coloured
• Televise rowing in an exciting way
• Take rowing machines into schools
• Make rowing more interesting with fun regattas

Female rowers

Rowers and rowing

• All enjoy racing, this gives the 'buzz'
• All are fit and well organised because of their rowing
• All like sculling and being part of a team
• Rowing is expensive, hard work and time consuming

Sports in general

• Sports that are more interesting to watch are more popular
• Young people participate less in sport due to computers

Coaches and coaching

• A coach should provide structured goals
• The ideal coach would be enthusiastic, a good rower, patient, firm, and good at explaining

Promotion of rowing

• Rowing should be introduced at schools, by rowing machines or taking groups rowing
• Update rowing with fun regattas and levels of proficiency
• Have enough equipment for juniors

Male non-rowers

Rowers and rowing

• Have seen rowing in the Olympics and know of Redgrave and Pinsent
• See rowing as 'cool'
• Would try rowing on water

Sport in general

• Football is the favourite sport to watch, but not to play
• Young people play less sport now due to computers

Coaches and coaching

• Not bothered about certificates
• Would want to try rowing by 'giving it a go', rather than by being coached

Promotion of rowing

• Promote rowing in schools
• Promote rowing to spectators by more televised rowing and advertising live events

Female non-rowers

Rowers and rowing

• All had watched televised rowing
• Would try rowing on water
• Rowers have muscular arms Sport in general
• Sport is good for meeting people, getting out and not watching television
• Young people play less sport now due to computers

Coaches and coaching

• Best to follow a scheme
• Coach should be friendly

Promotion of rowing

• Have a good junior programme and its reputation will spread by word of mouth
• Posters with 'happy people'
• Take rowing roadshows into schools
• Promote rowing as an excellent sport for improving health

© Copyright Regatta Magazine, 1998.