How do we define ‘winning’?

Back in May 2023, JRN published a thought provoking article titled “Are Regattas Losing Rowers?” There are often limited entries to events and the total costs of competing are high. This impacts both those athletes that may not get the opportunity to represent their club or school because they are not in the ‘first’ crew and also those that have to limit their entries to races due to budget restrictions.

Let’s be realistic – everyone wants to win their races.

All those long hours in the gym or on the water are done for a purpose. If your budget is limited, you will pick key races to enter, or maybe your coach will limit the races that your crew can enter. However, looking to the long term, no matter what level you compete at, it is important to recognise that you get more from rowing than just winning a ‘pot’ or medal.

Health and Fitness

Starting with the most obvious. All that training on the water gets you outside in fresh air, which studies show is good for your physical and mental wellbeing. The commitment to training keeps you healthy and flexible. Progressing from school, to university, to work will mean adapting training schedules to other commitments, but the long term effects on wellbeing are positive.

Teamwork

The majority of athletes row in crew boats and, often without realising, they learn the importance of teamwork. In rowing there is no single goal scorer, there is just the crew working together in synchronisation to achieve a shared goal. Your crew mates might not be your ‘best friends’ but you do learn how to work with other people – this is an important skill.

Feedback

At the end of a session, there is the coaches debrief. Another useful life skill is learning how to receive feedback and also how to deliver constructive feedback. With the help of a coach, crews learn to give each other feedback in a positive manner, another great skill that is useful in the work environment.

Managing Stress

During times of great stress, a paddle on the water can help to clear the mind. Whether that is with teammates that help by just being there or perhaps it’s just some physical exertion to release tension. Some people find a row during peak exam season can help to refresh the mind leaving them ready for more effective study. The Mental Health Foundation state that 65% of people find that being near water improves their mental wellbeing.

Flying the Nest

Moving on from school to universities with a rowing club, rowers have a sport they can join and contribute to. Arriving at university can be quite daunting, so heading over to the rowing club gets you outside in fresh air and meeting new people. Having friends on other courses and in other years can ease settling into university.

On leaving university many start work away from family and friends, but as a rower no matter your level of experience you can still join your nearest club. Some rowers have found that while they are establishing their career, rowing becomes more of a pastime. Even so, is still a great way to start integrating into your new environment and developing a new social life.

The main message is that being an elite rowing champion is fantastic. However, it is the process of learning and competing at all levels of rowing that offers much more to your long-term future.

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Dawn Sutton

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