The best and most basic thing you can do at this point is build up your cardio base – long runs, 45-60 minutes on the bike, etc. at least 3-5 times a week. That’ll put you in a good position when you start erging and are heavily relying on your aerobic system to provide your body with energy. I’d also do some core work (10-15 minutes worth at least) a few times a week after you finish whatever cardio stuff you do. You can never go wrong with planks but any core workout that focuses on your back, obliques, and abs will get the job done. This will help build up those muscles which will in turn help to decrease your susceptibility to injury.

You’re nowhere near the same level as the high performance/elite people at your club so don’t worry about that. No one else cares so you shouldn’t either. The elite rowers were in your position once too so if anything, you should really introduce yourself and ask for any advice they have about training as a novice or if they’d mind watching you on the erg for a few minutes and critiquing your form. I can pretty much promise you they’ll be more than willing to talk to you for a few minutes if they’ve got the time. We all want to see the sport grow and that really only happens through interacting with one another and helping out people that are new to the sport. Being clueless kind of goes hand in hand with being a novice but if you’ve got more knowledgeable and experienced people training right beside you, you can really give yourself an advantage (and boost your own confidence a little) if you approach them and pick their brains on anything you’ve got questions on. You’re almost doing a disservice to yourself if you don’t do that.