Hold on to your longhorns. Indoor rowing in Austin is going Texas-sized.

Texas Crew is holding its fourth-annual Erg Rodeo on February 2, 2008, the Gregory Arena in Austin, Texas. Rowers from the junior to the masters level will compete in a variety of race categories for their chance to take home a little bit of Texas.

“Apart from the fact that it is a well organized and very competitive event, Erg Rodeo has a very Texas feel to it,” said Texas Crew President Chris Morley.

Winners in the masters and junior events will receive bucking bull trophies, with overall division winners in the masters, open events, coxswains and juniors receiving commemorative Erg Rodeo belt buckles.

The first Erg Rodeo event was held in the Texas Crew boathouse in 2005 but has since outgrown the venue. With the 200 to 300 participants expected to attend this year’s event, Gregory Arena, which is situated on the University of Texas campus, will serve to host the indoor rowing competition.

“For many years, the only real option for our athletes, and many Austin rowers, to compete in an indoor event was S.W.E.A.T. in Dallas,” said Morley. “We wanted to hold an erg competition in Austin to gain publicity for our club and rowing in Texas, and to offer an opportunity for competition and fun for Austin's large rowing community.

“We do things bigger in Texas. Erg Rodeo is no exception.”