PHILADELPHIA - One of the rowing program's most coveted traditions is the annual winter break training trip to Miami, Fla. This year was no exception, as the Explorers and the new coaching staff made the most of getting on the warm, sunny Florida water for days of hard work and building camaraderie in anticipation for the quickly approaching spring season.

The Florida trip tradition dates back to 1988 and has been done every year since.

Both the men's and women's teams were on the water 13 times in the seven days, working in all combinations of boats including eights, fours and pairs. The Explorers also took part in two yoga sessions to mix things up, a fun experience for the mostly first-time yoga participants.

The trip proved a tremendous asset to team-building and conditioning once again. The Explorers will get to put their hard work to the test in just over a month, when both the men's and women's teams open up the Spring 2014 season with a quad meet with Saint Joseph's, Delaware and Drexel on the Schuylkill River on March 8.

Until then, the Explorers will continue to prep for the season and hope for a quick thawing of the local waterways.