Coach Kevin Sauer might think so, despite rowing's grueling side. Your heart rate goes high and stays high all the way through. But that does not mean crew is only for those with bulging biceps and ripped abs, he said.
Small people can do it.
And unlike almost all other NCAA varsity sports, no experience is required. They'll usually see something in an article or flyer about rowing, and then they'll come out. Eighty to 90 percent pick up crew in college. Not only can rowers pick up the sport in college, they can excel in at as well, as shown by the recent success of two former Cavalier athletes after only three years of collegiate rowing. Russ McManus won a silver medal at the 1991 Pan American Games, and Kristin Reed picked up a gold medal at the 1994 Under-23 World Championships.