Tonawanda Creek is covered in ice right now but in a little over a month the UB crew teams will be taking to the water to begin their spring practices for the upcoming season.
With their practice facility more suited to ice fishing than rowing, the UB women's varsity team and the men's club team have not been taking a break from their sport.
Just a few hours after UB's party crowd has returned to their beds, the men and women's teams are taking part in their rigorous off-season workouts. Not only is the women's team up and at practice by 6 a.m., but members are taking part in a physically demanding workout in Alumni Arena.
Although the exercises are very repetitious, variations and mixing exercises are implemented as much as possible according to the women's coaching staff. The dedication of the girls, through the more boring part of the season was also noted by head coach Rudy Wieler.
"I think once they get on the water they appreciate it even more, and they realize that they have to do their homework before they get to the testing," said Wieler.
The men's club team starts their daily workouts at 6:30 a.m. in the Richmond weight room, where they just got some of their own ergometers.
Joe Karakowiak is the coach of the men's team, and because it is a club, the team also has an executive board.
President Tony Clarke spoke of the importance of the winter workouts, and thinks that effective winter workouts should help the team succeed.
"Winter training sucks, everyone hates it by the end," said Clarke. "But we've had great attendance this winter so we're really excited to see how this year goes."
The athletes understand the purpose of winter training although it does get hard to continue with workouts throughout the long Buffalo winter. Each team does different workouts but some of the elements include tough cardio, stair climbing, and the ergometer or "erg" machines.
"It's both mentally and physically challenging, much more so than actually being on the water," said senior Sara Sheffer. "I think that if we put in the time right now and make it to the ECAC's this spring, that makes winter training that much more bearable."
The winter training and dedication to the team throughout the whole school year is something that the women's coaching staff sometimes uses as a deciding factor in selection as well as boat placement. And although the winter training may get repetitious, those who stick it out are much more successful.
"Generally speaking winter training is not a good time" said Tracy Clark.
Clark is finishing up her final season in her four years at UB. With a nearly complete college career, Clark is undoubtedly one who has "stuck it out" even though she doesn't exactly love the indoor winter practices.
When asked about goals for the season, Wieler spoke of a concept he has been stressing, "fast fun." Wieler obviously has a good understanding of his team, as well as the sport and strives to make the team not only competitive but also enjoyable for the players.
"I think the goal for us is to have fast fun, we don't want to have fun just by itself"
The women's team kicks off their season with Spring Training in South Carolina March 12-19 and then they travel to Ithaca March 27 to face off with the Bombers.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
