Old+Dominion+University+Rowing+Club

The Old Dominion University Rowing Club, commonly known as [|ODURC], is open to all members of the University and experience levels vary for all participants. ODURC is a co-ed association. Practices are held five days a week from 5am-7am at Lafayette Park in Norfolk, Va.

History
The Club Team was formed back in the 1980’s by a group of dedicated rowers who shaped the team into who they are today. The Rowing Club is one of the oldest recreation club teams at Old Dominion University. Since then, the team has grown and evolved into one in which new or experienced rowers can take part in a sport that influences teamwork, dedication, and family. Alumni of ODURC commonly continue rowing with the neighbor Master's Rowing program, [|Hampton Roads Rowing Club], after they graduate from Old Dominion University.

Location
The Old Dominion University Rowing Club’s boathouse is located at 1650 Willow Wood Rd. in the Sigrid & Trafton Robertson Rowing Center in Lakewood Park. The boathouse is a 10 minute drive from campus where students can commute to via car or bicycle. The team practices on the Lafayette River which is utilized by High School teams, Master's Teams, as well as ODU's Varsity Team.

Regattas
Although ODURC is a club team, its main goal is to place highly amongst other crews in the area. The team participates in rigorous practices year round and begins their competitive Spring Season in March. Along with sprint races in the Spring, the club races in head races during the Fall season. All races vary from a 2000 meter course all the way to the 5000m course. The Club Team participates in regattas all across the East Coast including ones in Northern Virginia, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. The team participates annually in the Knecht Cup Regatta, Occoquan Sprints Regatta, and the prestigious [|Dad Vails Regatta]. In 2008, the team qualified for the prestigious [|CAA Rowing Chamionship] in Oklahoma and took home the gold medal.

Team Colors/Oar
Old Dominion University Rowing Club’s colors consist of royal blue and silver. The oar is adorned in royal blue with a silver crown as its logo.

Boats


The team races “sweep” boats, commonly referred to as shells, which employ the use of one oar rather than two. The main form of race boats for the team consist of “Fours” or boats with four rowers and a coxswain. The team also uses “Eights” which consists of 8 rowers with a coxswain. The team also utilizes pairs, singles, and doubles during the competitive racing season.

Head Coach and Rowers
Ben LeBrun was recently named the Head Coach of the ODURC for the 2011-2012 school year. LeBrun’s rowing career started at an early age when he began to row in the sixth grade. Since then, he has rowed competitively for Cornell University for 2 years and he is also an active participant in the Hampton Roads Rowing Club. The team consists of both men and women varying in ages. As of Spring 2012, the Old Dominion University Rowing Club has a total of 16 rowers who row competitively.

=Notes= 1. ^ ODU Rowing Club Retrieved 2012-03-13 2. ^Hampton Roads Rowing Club Retrieved 2012-03-13 3. ^ Dad Vails Regatta Retrieved 2012-03-13 4. ^ODU Rec Sports Retrieved 2012-03-13 5. ^CAA Rowing Chamionship Retrieved 2012-03-13