Jayhawks Shift Preseason Training to Florida

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Winter means intense training and conditioning inside the Kansas Boathouse as the Kansas rowing team prepares for its spring season. For the next eight days, however, the Jayhawks move those preseason workouts to the warm waters of Tampa, Florida for its annual winter training trip.

“It’s definitely a good environment for our athletes to mentally prepare for what they’re doing,” stated KU head coach Rob Catloth. “There are no distractions down there and it’s a beautiful area with great water. Basically, we will use this to get the athletes rowing better and ready to perform at a high level for the spring.”

The extended stay gives the KU coaches an opportunity to hone in on the fundamentals of rowing before the spring season begins. Lots of sunshine and beautiful temperatures will welcome the Jayhawks upon arrival, but the KU rowers will be in full business mode to ensure they get the most out of the trip as possible.

“We will put in two-a-days each day we are down there,” said Catloth. “Last year we rowed close to 300 miles. I don’t know how many we will get this year, but the focus is all about getting miles in and building good technical habits.”

With the spring season right around the corner, Catloth explained that this training trip isn’t about simulating racing, but rather about making sure the Jayhawks are fundamentally sound and forming good technical habits.

KU will return to Lawrence on Saturday, Jan. 17, and will open the spring season March 14 at the Louisville Invitational.

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