If you’ve visited our area between mid February and early April you may have noticed an interesting sight on Lake Lure…crew teams. That’s right. Year after year, rowing and crew teams from across the country visit Rumbling Bald Resort to take advantage of our excellent training facilities and convenient proximity to Lake Lure. Many of these teams visit during their college or university’s Spring Break and with summer residents away, they find plenty of water time to hone their skills. We spoke with Nich Parker, Head Coach of Lightweight Rowing at Columbia University on his experience at Rumbling Bald Resort.
Nich has been a coach for 10 years but was first introduced to Rumbling Bald Resort as an athlete. During his four years on the team at Ohio State University, Nich came to Lake Lure to train and it was his time here that led him to choose it again as he transitioned to coaching. Nich loves the seclusion that Lake Lure brings to spring training saying, “you’re out in the wilderness, and for a school located in NYC, getting athletes in a completely different environment is ideal for focus and optimum training.”
Nich especially appreciates the ease of logistics training that RBR provides. During their time here, the athletes live in condos on the Resort so there is no need to facilitate travel plans, the athletes simply arrive ready to work. While they’re here, the athletes are also responsible for preparing their own meals. Nich feels this is an incredibly important aspect of his teams training, stating that the food his athletes use to fuel their body is just as important as the work they put in on the water.
Since much of the team’s focus is spent in training, they don’t have much time to explore the area outside of their annual senior dinner to Larkins’ on the Lake, but a few members of his team take advantage of the scenery and trail access for a walk or run at night before preparing for the next day. As for planning, Nich says it’s a very easy process through our groups coordinator who helps plan their use of the marina and boats used for coaching as well as the Resort’s on site massage therapist (mostly used for medical purposes as opposed to relaxation).
Above all, Nich loves that Rumbling Bald Resort and Lake Lure provides such an easy environment in which to practice especially when his team is training at such a high level. We love having the Columbia team back year after year and look forward to seeing them again next year.
Interested in bringing your crew or rowing team to spring training next year? Visit our website!
