25 Tips to Make Novice Season Survivable       -      Tips from Novices for Novices

These are some tips that will help you survive your first competitive season.  We wish we knew these things when we were starting out.

NUMBER ONE RULE: Respect the coaches and other volunteers! They are all giving up their time to help us and aren’t being paid for what they do. 

We would not have a club without them!

Trainings:

  • Get your things ready the night before (including your school gear if you plan to get ready at the club before school).
  • Go to bed at a sensible time (Trust us you will regret it if you don’t).
  • Do your homework! You have to make your teachers like you somehow or they won’t let you sleep in their class.
  • Bring a 10mm spanner (One with a ratchet is a bonus).
  • If you bike to training in the morning make sure you have lights on your bike.

Wear appropriate gear:

  • Long socks (Ankle socks are not recommended)
  • Shoes that are easy to slip on and off (eg. Jandals, scuffs, etc)
  • Lots of layers (Multiple thermals; top and bottom, Jerseys etc)
  • No pockets on your top half
  • Nothing baggy/loose/long that could get caught in your slide
  • Bring track shoes just in case you have a land training


If you plan to get ready at the club after training:

  • Bring breakfast (make sure it is named)
  • Bring a towel and toiletries so you can shower
  • Make sure you have a way to get to school on time

Camps:

  • Bring appropriate training gear (and lots of it!)
  • Wear your jandals in the shower (accommodation is not 5 star)
  • Blisters happen so bring:
  • Plasters
  • Tape
  • Antiseptic Cream

​These extras are a must:

  • Multiple water bottles
  • Insect repellent
  • Sunscreen
  • Cap/hat you can wear in the boat
  • Extra blankets as well as a sleeping bag
  • Gear that keeps your body covered (away from the mosquitos)
  • Always wear shoes on the grass at the lake. Otherwise prepare to have multiple bee stings!



Regattas:

  • Pack your bag several days before leaving so you can ensure you have everything you need, this includes:
  • Your unitard and school cap
  • A navy thermal (It is unlikely they’ll let you wear any other colour on water)
  • Warm Clothes (We’re talking a lot of layers here)
  • Lots of socks
  • A towel
  • Blanket and Pillow (You do not need a sleeping bag at regattas)
  • Bring money for trips down to Twizel, we make multiple stops on the way where you can buy food.
  • Make sure you know when your race is! AND when you need to be at the boat park. It is your responsibility to be there on time!
  • If you get car sick sit at the front of the bus! No one likes vomiting in their lunchbox!
  • The bus trips are up to 11 hours long, so bring some form of entertainment eg. Cards, headphones, loom bands, etc.
  • If you arrive at the boat park and there is no coach there, you still need to get your boat ready. This means getting your number (usually the coxswains job – it is helpful if you know your number before approaching the number hut), putting your oars down by the water, adjusting your foot stretchers and warming up.
  • If you don’t have time between races to go back to the tent, make sure you bring something light to the boat park to eat before your next race.
  • When you’re not racing - be resting! Otherwise everyone will hate you when you’re too exhausted to race well.
  • Make sure you know what lane you’re in and talk to your coach about getting in to the start blocks before you go on water as well as what to expect during and before your race.
  • Have your 10mm spanner with you at all times.
  • Bring a blanket to the tent especially early in the season as it can be VERY cold.
  • Talk to the parents in the tent about when and what you should eat in relation to what time your race is.
  • Bring a day bag down to the lake with you. Use it to carry your blanket, extra gear, water bottle and anything else you think you might need.