How a gap year can take your rowing to the next level
Getting recruited to a Division I school is difficult but when it comes to a late start sport such as rowing, the level of difficulty is on another level. By the time you fall in love with rowing, the clock is ticking. Whether you are a rower or coxswain, you must have sufficient race experience to distinguish yourself from your peers. This pressure to get your 2K, GPA and test scores to an elite level is just one reason why recruiting for rowing can be so overwhelming.
As you know, the largest obstacle in your way to reaching your goals in rowing is time. Even if you have the potential to be the best rower or coxswain do you have the time to reach the high standard required by your school of choice?
By taking a gap year, you can greatly improve your erg scores or learn race winning calls as a coxswain. Taking a year to be the best rower/coxswain you can be shows a high level of commitment to rowing that recruiters take notice of.
Simply put, a gap year can change the equation by putting time on your side!
If I take a gap year will colleges look negatively at my application?
The short answer is no. The best colleges do not look negatively at gap year students as long as they spent that year being productive.
“In over a decade of college counseling, I have never seen taking a gap year hurt a rowing applicant - instead they have often helped rowing applicants, sometimes a great deal.”
Ryan Sparks
What we know about gap year students:
Gap year students reveal consistently higher GPAs than their non-gap year peers through all four years of college
Gap year students tend to be more mature and responsible
Gap year students play more prominent leadership roles on campus
Gap year students take less time to graduate versus students who do not take a gap year
Gap year students are not alone! In 2020, gap years are more prevalent than an ever before
How will a gap year help me improve my rowing application?
At Sparks we have a strong history with National Champions, Olympic Champions, Ivy League Coaches and Olympic Coaches that know what it takes to be the best at rowing. For over a decade we've run rowing and coxswain camps that help members of our community thrive on some of the most prestigious teams in our nation.
Not only have we seen great results from our various camps, but our training products are currently being used by teams contending for Olympic medals.
Our expertise in experiential education puts us in the perfect position to craft a meaningful gap year. Because of this, you can be assured that we will customize a world-class program that directly caters to your needs.
What you can expect:
- A worldwide network of coaches, clubs, and training opportunities
- Immersion in a successful rowing culture so you know what it takes to win at a higher level
- Structured training
- One-on-one recruiting counseling
- Opportunities to gain racing experience at a higher level
- Insight on what makes a competitive applicant
- Access to elite coaches
- Opportunities for internships and academic programs
- Entire rowing community to lean on
If you are considering a gap year to improve your 2K or make better calls as a coxswain, you will need professional coaching. The worst thing that can happen to you is to see no meaningful change after taking a year off.
Partner with Sparks and we will connect you to world class rowing programs and coaches, expose you to cultural or academic interests while making sure you improve as an athlete.
Let us hand-craft a gap year that promotes a deeper understand of the sport of rowing. We will help coordinate flights, room and board, and all amenities necessary to make the year a success. All you have to do is show up.