Boathouse closes in on one-year anniversary
In a couple months, students will begin to bundle up for winter. And Iowa athletics teams must also shift with the changing season.
No longer can they train outside and take advantage of what nature has to offer many student-athletes.
For the Iowa rowing team, nature offers them the Iowa River. As the season changes and the Iowa River is no longer accessible, where do the rowers go?
Before the Beckwith Boathouse opened on Sept. 18, 2009, the rowing team had no place to call home during the winter months.
But now approaching its first anniversary, the boathouse gives the largest Iowa women's athletics team on campus its own facility — a space to a team that never had one.
Since its opening, the team has seen improvements in convenience, training facility, technology, office space, locker rooms, and, most importantly, rowing.
"As far as convenience, we have a lot more of our things grouped together," Iowa assistant coach Carrie Callen said. "A lot is housed in the boathouse."
Previously, the rowing team had to go to the Field House to see a trainer, go to their lockers, or take a shower. Now, the facility houses a conference room, locker rooms, and showers, giving the rowers more time between practice and class.
Senior coxswain Emily Melvold, the technology available and conference room provides a place for team meetings and preparation for races by looking up courses and statistics ahead of time.
"We have everything right there," senior rower Haylie Miller said.
One of the most beneficial improvements has been the addition of an indoor rowing tank, the first ever at Iowa.
The indoor tank gives the rowers the opportunity to have consistent blade work throughout the off-season, Callen said, something not available before the boathouse was built.
"When we transitioned back to the water after last winter, it was a smoother transition in terms of our blade work," Callen said.
Melvold cited having the ability to watch the rowers, see their technique, and know each rower individually is a benefit of using the tank. Competition is made easier because they already know each rower in-depth.
"When it comes time to practice on the water, you know the habits of the rowers," Melvold said.
Overall, feedback from the team and coaches regarding the facility has been positive.
"I definitely think it has piqued interest," Callen said. "It's amazing how many people know about it. They know that we have a new facility, and a lot of them want to see it. We love giving tours, because we love being there."
When the Hawkeyes embark upon the fall and winter seasons, they have a facility like nothing they've ever had before.
"They definitely see the university has made a statement that rowing is here, rowing is here to stay, and rowing is important to the Hawkeye family," Callen said. "We've been there it seems like a short amount of time, but it feels like home."
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