MSU Crew Reaches Out To Greater Lansing Kids
7/6/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Rowing
July 6, 2005
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The MSU Boathouse opened its doors to Lansing area children Tuesday for a week-long program that gives children ages 6-12 insight into the sport of rowing. The camp runs from July 5-8, giving groups of 30-50 children a chance to receive basic rowing instructions, experience a workout on a rowing machine, and spend 30 minutes rowing on the Grand River. The campers are members of a program put on by the Lansing Parks and Recreation Department throughout the summer.
The week-long program is put on by rowing head coach Matt Weise, assistant coaches Stacey Rippetoe and Christiina Tymoszewicz and rigger Scott Travis. Also in attendance were several members of the MSU rowing team and visiting Lewis & Clark assistant Jenny Simon.
Michigan State rowers took the opportunity to coach the children in the specially- constructed barge, made by connecting two eight-person shells with a board stretched between them, making the boat more stable and providing a place for the Spartan instructors to be readily able to help the students. The youngsters also competed in head-to-head races and games of Simon Says on the rowing machines to help them remember the more technical side of rowing. The children were also shown clips of Spartan rowers in action this past season.
While all the events on the day's agenda were fun for the camp's participants, the highlight for most campers was being out on the river.
"I liked rowing out on the river," Tiffanie Smith, one of the participants, said. "I learned that you always have to watch the person in front of you, or you'll hit oars and that's not good."
The camp counselors, also active participants in the day's activities, enjoy the benefits the camp gives to children that they wouldn't receive without being members of the summer program.
"For most of these kids, this is something they wouldn't get to do otherwise," Katie Sagash, one of the camp's counselors, said. "I know they all look forward to it from year to year. Some of the campers that are too young are so disappointed they can't go because they have to listen to the older kids talk about what a great time they had."
Working with the children also helps the MSU rowers remember where their passion for the sport first began.
"It helps me understand how far I've come," MSU rowing senior Kirsten Rasanen said "When I came here, I knew absolutely nothing about rowing and now I have enough knowledge that I can teach other kids.
"It takes you back to where the passion for the sport started."
Players Mentioned
