Coming off several wins in California, the Alabama rowing team has made adjustments to prepare for this weekend’s regatta.

The Crimson Tide will have the home advantage against SMU and Eastern Michigan on Saturday for its first home regatta of the spring season. Although Alabama coach Larry Davis said he is content with the team’s wins in California, he is still passionate about polishing a few things before Saturday.

“They seem to have their heads in the right place, and we are making some adjustments we have been working on over the last couple of weeks,” Davis said.

(See also “Rowing team heads west“)

The team usually does two-a-day workouts regardless of their racing schedule, Davis said. The workouts include conditioning and training that emphasizes adjustments that need to be made.

“We saw what we have been able to accomplish the first couple of races, and so beyond the conditioning we do over spring training, we are working on some of the things we feel are weak points that we need to get better at,” Davis said.

Weak points have been the main focus over the last week for the Crimson Tide.

Alabama’s Varsity 4 and its Second Varsity 4 boats won their races in California against Sacramento State and San Diego State, both recording season-best times. On its last day in the Golden State, the team picked up another four wins of the six races against Saint Mary’s.

“I think that if we continue to make the progress I’ve seen and the adjustments that we wanted to make, I think we have an opportunity to win every race we row,” Davis said.

(See also “Rowing team to face Michigan State“)

Davis said the team looks forward to the home crowd this weekend and that fans should, too. The Whiskey River Band will play for fans watching from the sidelines at the Park at Manderson Landing. Giveaways will also take place as the team celebrates Senior Day and raises breast cancer awareness through its Power of Pink regatta.

Although Alabama easily adjusts to unfamiliar turf, Davis said any chance to row at home is always a bit more exciting.

“If we go out and row at the level we are capable of, we should even have a few more wins than we did in California,” Davis said. “We certainly have to go do our job. The kids we are rowing against are not just going to give it to us.”

SMU will come into Saturday’s competition with several wins under its belt from last weekend against Drake University. Eastern Michigan will travel to the dual-team regatta with losses in mid-March. However, the Eagles have had a few weeks without races to prepare for this weekend.

The one-day race hosted by the Crimson Tide is set to begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday.

(See also “UA rowing team awaits new boathouse“)