Frequently asked questions

 Rowing is a sport where team members (the Crew) row a lightweight boat, called a shell, as fast as it will go. At LRA, either four or eight rowers, each with a single oar, power a shell, which is steered by a coxswain (pronounced cox'n).
 

Success is measured not by the ability of one or two superstars, but by the willingness of everyone in the boat to work hard and in unison. Learning to make a boat go fast takes time, dedicated training, and both physical and mental discipline.
 

As a parent once put it, "The beauty of Crew is that you do not have to be a behemoth or 'natural athlete' to excel. It is a sport where dedicated training, good coaching, and teamwork all come together. Balance and precision are much more valuable than brute strength.  It is great opportunity for college scholarships. And finally, it is a beautiful sport to watch. A bunch of healthy and happy kids who are proud of what they are doing is wonderful to see. And it is a 'sport for life'. Once it is in your blood, either as a Crew member or a parent, it does not go away." 

Lyman Rowing Association was started as a small rowing team in 2005 as a club sport at Lyman High School.  We have grown throughout the years and now not only run a successful high school team, but a powerful middle school team.  In the 2018-2019 season, our middle school team officially became Seminole County Rowing a subsidiary of LRA.
 

As a club sport at Lyman High School, the team members provide the financial support for the team and its activities (racing, travel, purchasing equipment, coaching, etc.) by way of dues, fundraising and community, corporate and individual donations.  LRA receives no funding from Lyman HS or Seminole County Public Schools;
 

LRA is a non-profit 501c3 tax exempt organization made up of rowers, parents, and coaches.  As a 501c3 organization under the IRS codes set forth for charitable organizations we are allowed and will provide each sponsor with a (tax deductible) letter of support noting their generous donation to the athletes of Lyman Rowing Association. 

 As a novice, rowers will spend time learning the fundamentals of the sport - terminology, how to carry and care for the equipment, and of course, how to row.  Rowers will quickly learn tie management skills to be sure to prioritize school, homework, practice, and family/social life.

  Crew is a full year sport running from August through May and split into a fall and spring seasons. During the fall season, the focus is on developing cardiovascular fitness and increasing strength and endurance, while continuing to make technical improvement.  The races, regattas, of the fall season are called Head Races.  Head races are a time-trial competition on a 5K course for high school and 2K course for middle school.
 

The spring season is our primary competitive season. As such, practice time is geared to technical refinement and specific race preparation. Competitions begin in January and continue through May, with practices held weekday afternoons and some Saturdays and competitions held most Saturdays throughout the spring season.  Spring season regattas are called sprint races.  Boats race side by side on a 1500m course for high school and 1000M course for middle school.  This style of racing is what you want during the Olympics.