Rowing: A Great Tradition in American Sports

Rowing: A Great Tradition in American Sports

Serene waters. Beautiful sunrises. Silent mornings. These are just a few things rowers cherish about the sport they love.

Rowing is one of the oldest sports in the United States. It was among the first to be included in intercollegiate athletic competition, finding its roots there in the Ivy League. It has for years been a principal professional and recreational athletic activity, one which requires tremendous amounts of stamina, endurance, strength and heart.

Today, however, rowing has largely faded into obscurity. It is virtually by those now connected to it in a quite direct way. While it still remains rather prevalent in private secondary schooling, Division I intercollegiate athletics and international competition, rowing is very rarely found even near the center of the conversation in world of sports.

But just because rowing is not currently paid a lot of public attention doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be.

First, rowers themselves are often among the most dedicated athletes in the world. They train with no hope of fortune or fame, fitting in workouts before dawn and after dusk in order to maintain full-time jobs to support themselves. They possess a level of cardio fitness comparable to that of runners and swimmers. Rowers also have a great amount of both upper and lower body strength. Rowing can be hard on the body, however, and may sometimes take such a toll that serious athletes are unable to reach their professional goals. Regardless, any rower you talk to will say that it’s all worth it. They are truly special people, and interesting as well.

Participants aren’t the only special part of rowing – the sport itself can be quite thrilling. In fact, on a high definition television screen, it may be comparable to a football game on your NFL Sunday Ticket. Races are best to watch live but can also be exciting on television. Watching boats duke it out at the starting line, hearing coxswains passionately inspire their rowers, witnessing one crew overtake another in the final meters of a competition – rowing is not for the feint of heart. In fact, it can be one of the most beautiful yet thrilling events in the world of sports today.

While the summer Olympics are a few years away, rowers all over the world are training each and every day. You may be surprised to find out that a regatta is taking place in your area. Go to a race one day, and you’ll understand the draw.

Meanwhile, start thinking about picking up rowing yourself. The movement itself is not difficult to get the hang of, and the physical and mental benefits of the activity are endless. Whether an athlete or a spectator, a novice or a pro, rowing – one of America’s most traditional sports – may very well be of interest to you.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/art-and-entertainment-articles/rowing-a-great-tradition-in-american-sports-1193175.html

Rowing can really be a thrilling sport to watch. Find out what sports programming options are available with Direct TV by checking out the DirectTV Packages available in your area.