Looking for a virtual team to join

[Nigel756]

Hi all:

I'm interested joining a virtual rowing team but I have two questions.

First - how do I do that? I've looked around the site and don't see a place to sign up.

Second - How do I choose a team? Do different teams have different goals, membership expectations, philosophies? and if so how do I find out what they are?

Okay - that's more than two questions. In any event, thanks in advance for all responses.

[PJM]

Hi there!!
I belong to TEAM TimbukTOO.You can join any of lots of various virtual rowing teams.They are located to join at your profile.Go to edit my profile..scroll to a section about teams/university standings.There is a drop down menu and there are all the teams there.Then you simply click on the team of your choice and it will show up on your profile and you will be automatically added.You choose a team by your goals, interest and in some cases age.We would be happy to have you row with us..we have personal goals and lots of motivation.If you need more input ..send me a PM and I will help you!!
Welcome to the world and community of virtual rowing.It is awesome!!

Pat
PJM
Team TimbukTOO

[Kona2]

Hi Nigel,

I'm sure you'll get a few responses as all the virtual teams are always looking for more people! Join Luna-Tics! Our outrageous goal is to row enough meters to get to the moon and back, and support each individual in attainment of their goals. We are also a team that is mixed gender, and many team members use rowing as a cross-training opportunity.

Teams do have different goals, different philosophies and different expectations. The team captain and/or team forum page (if one is there) will share that info. From my experience, the teams that are in the top 50 seem to have the most communication and organization to answer the questions you have. This does not mean that you won't find either of those attributes in the other teams - it just depends on how much you want to search. You could also go back through the January Virtual Challenge forum and read some of those blurbs!

As you can see in the teams section where you've posted, there are team rooms for several teams: Luna-Tics and TimbukTOO are two of these. On the first page of the postings there, you should see mission of the team and a person to contact. I would encourage you to look through the postings and see if what you read there is something you want to be part of -- the team rooms are where we post our motivational stats, encourage each other towards individual goals, and help each other with some of the technique questions.

You can also ask Dena H at the Concept 2 contact us page to put you in contact with a team captain.

Right now, the only people that we can "see" as part of a team are those who are on the year round teams. If a team member is a virtual member, we cannot see the number of meters this individual is posting unless it is a virtual challenge. If you go to the University/Club standings on your log in page, you'll see teams listed from 1 to thousands. Since I am a member of the lunar mission team (Luna-Tics), I'll use that as an example. We are team number 13. If you click on the number 13, you will be directed to a page that shows all the team members - and in most cases, we say something about our goals in our profiles. The Luna-Tics mission is to collectively row enough meters to go to the moon and back - although we may stop in space here or there.

No matter what team you choose, I think you will find that the overall virtual and/or year round experience provides you motivation to reach your goals - and past what you thought you could do. Many of us signed on for the January Virtual Challenge and found that while we initially thought we would row 100 or 200 K, we were doing 300 and 400K just because of the team encouragement.

Part of this is that as a member of the team, you have some inter-team competition that you want to help - as well as some intra-team vying for position! It's all good. I know Luna-Tics would love to have additional members. If you are interested, Kristine Strasberger is our captain and her contact info is on the team page when you drill down from University/Club Standings.

Hope this answers your questions.

Jan S.

[PJM]

To add a little here..
There is a team of Vegetarians who row together but will add you if you want to join.
There are the Ancient Mariners..you have to be 60 or older.They have 3 boats in their organization.
The Free Spirits are a huge group who have rowers who log quite a handsome number of meters.
There are the Team Canada, The Eh Team..Canadian rowers but have had others join.
You can tell by their names..some are actual rowing clubs..but the Virtual Teams are made up of rowers who may have never met..communicate by e-mail or here at the forum.
Jan gave you a great sum of what the virtual rowing community is all about.
If you are highly competitive..you can tell what teams are by their position in the rankings
If you are a quiet rower but want group support..well the sky's the limit..there are many boats to crew with.
If I wasn't a TimbukToo-ian I would be a LUNA-TIC..we have our loyalties and try to remain with a team an entire season.
No matter what team you row with..it is just important that you row..or do some form of exercise.It is so good for you on all levels..
Rowing is a way to get so much out of a short workout or a long one.
Happy rowing and hope you enjoy the ride!!

Pat