My original thought was to have this sculling development camp in Philadelphia, where I currently coach. I think this location in Massachusetts will be great for a number of reasons, though:
1) We can offer housing. In Philly the plan was to draw on mainly local kids, which would have been great - don't get me wrong - but at Essex the camp can really draw from a national pool and give everyone the same experience, since there are very few local kids who wouldn't be living in the dorms. Part of the whole experience of a summer camp is living together and this gives everyone that chance. Along with housing, we can offer a meal plan.
2) The weather. Let's face it, Philadelphia in the summer can be kind of hot and humid, especially when you're in the city. The average high in this part of New England is about 80 degrees.
3) The river. Yes, the Schuylkill is beautiful and historic - but it's also only 3 miles long and can be full of pissy masters rowers at times... The Merrimack has 8 miles of wide, flat water that's largely protected by high undeveloped banks. It's an ideal place to row.
4) The location. Philadelphia is a great city and being downtown absolutely has its advantages. But we'll about 40 minutes from Boston by train, and as good as the Phillies are going to be this year (and sorry Mets fan, even with Santana I still think the Phils ARE the team to beat AGAIN), the Red Sox are World Champions. Not to mention all the other normal fun Boston stuff. And we'll be only half an hour from the beach, plus an hour from Cape Cod, Maine (lobster mmmmm), all kinds of other cool stuff.
Are there downsides, besides not being on Boathouse Row? Sure... the facilities at Essex are still very much under development, since it's a very young club. You don't get a famous name on your rowing resume. At least, it's not famous yet... you'll have a chance to help change that this summer
No comments:
Post a Comment