Rowing: Everyone Together Now
Boston, MASS - We are now halfway through the school year. Many sports had their season during the fall, and one of these sports was rowing. I would like to look back on the rowing season by asking rowers to describe it in only one word.
Calum Scott ’26 used the word “bridging”.
Eowyn Mello ’26 describes the rowing season with “teamwork”.
Similarly to Mello, Sophie Van Riel ’24, the team captain mentions “camaraderie”.
Rowing seems to have brought people together through the required teamwork.
Scott says, “The Headless Halloween Regatta, although I am certain that many people will put this down, was quite memorable. Various events led to an exciting, up-in-the-air misadventure.”
To his surprise, Mello and Van Riel find the same event memorable. Mello describes, “Dressing up as characters from Frozen for the Headless Halloween regatta and receiving medals afterwards (and the race experience in general).”
Van Riel adds, “The Halloween Regatta. This is a regatta at the end of the season where we get to dress up and compete against other crews. This season we rowed an 8 and dressed up as frozen characters. We placed first in our age group and got to demonstrate how much we grew as rowers and pushed ourselves.”
The rowing team had many memorable moments during the season but the event that struck out the most was the Halloween Regatta. The team was able to show what they achieved this season.
Scott describes, “On Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, we would leave school at 2:45 on long-block days and at 2:55 on standard days. With Mr. Maysky driving, we would arrive at CRI and meet our coaches. Following a brief meeting, we would take out different boats depending on the number of people attending that specific practice and make our way down to the water. Then, we would row.”
Mello adds, “We mostly spent time rowing on the Charles River, but sometimes if it was raining we would have our practice inside and row on the erg. For the Halloween Regatta, we practiced on how to maintain high speed and power while rowing and we got to decide a team costume theme!”
The team leaves classes early to practice for their rowing regattas. They practice no matter what the weather is. Despite all the hard work they have to put in, they enjoy doing so.
Van Riel describes, “I think one of the best aspects of rowing is the diversity in age groups. I think there is a sense of community regarding older rowers teaching and influencing younger rowers. I think this builds the Newman community because we try to always encourage intergrade relationships. We encourage all levels of rowers to join our crew so we can learn and grow together.”
Scott adds, “Rowing, and extracurricular activities more generally, help to build the Newman community by bringing together different individuals who, due to cohort, grade, or class, would not have otherwise met each other. The same can be said for clubs.”
Mello agrees, “I think rowing builds the Newman community because it requires everyone to work together in sync, and it allows for friendships to grow between students, even if they aren't in the same grade.”
Many sports help from the Newman community. One of these is rowing, which encourages relationships between different age groups.
Van Riel says, “I have done crew since my freshman year, where my team captain sparked my passion for crew. The most rewarding aspect of being a team captain was that I got to spark excitement for the crew for the younger rowers that are new to the crew. I loved seeing everyone grow and learn throughout the season.”
Overall, joining the rowing team is a good way to meet new people and strengthen the Newman community. The people that participated make memorable memories during the season.
Available in the Winter 2024 Print Edition
