The first stage of the try-out process is basically a fitness test. All candidates will be asked to do a 4 minute erg test and a 30 second erg test. In addition, candidates can choose to do two exercises from a variety of one-minute fitness tests: push-ups, sit-ups, crunches, burpees, ball slams, planks. Basically, most folks have opted to do the 1 minute push ups, but many have alternated other exercises in lieu of the sit up. Some fitness experts feel that the old fashioned sit up exposes athletes (particularly senior athletes) to back problems. Accordingly, the other exercises can be substituted for the sit up. Crunches are the preferred option.
The initial screening process also involves a 500m OC-1 test. OC-1 testing has many variables: wind, water conditions, the type and condition of the OC being utilized, and experience paddling an OC-1. For this reason, it is difficult to achieve an "apples to apples" comparison of test results. However, individual OC-1 testing is probably one of the best ways to measure individual paddling skills. All candidates can expect to do OC-1 time trials at the subsequent Team USA training camps where conditions will be relatively the same for all participants.
Once the first round of time trials have been completed, candidates will be invited to two three day camps. One is planned for late January in Florida. The second camp, we hope, will be at a warm weather West Coast location in early March. Currently, the vast majority of our Sr. C candidate pool hails from the eastern part of the country. If we can attract a significant number of West Coast candidates, we’ll hold camps on both coasts. The three Team USA crews (Mixed, Open, Women) will be selected after the three day camps. The final crews will participate in a five day camp in Melbourne, Florida from April 28 through May 3.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact one of the Team USA Senior C Coaches:
Mixed Crew: Garf Cooper ecooper98@aol.com
Women’s Crew: Robin Parker parker_robin@yahoo.com
Open Crew: John Dyer jgdyer3@gmail.com