The accidental sporting hero is a well-worn trope of American cinema, but for Isaiah Harrison, this is a case of life following art. Just after the film’s title frame come the words “based on a true story” for out in the woods, by a lake in an isolated region of Idaho lives a once-in-a-generation rowing talent. Since the age of 12, Isaiah has set every C2 rowing world record, has won the Head of the Charles, achieved a Bronze medal in his first international race and now has his sights firmly on Paris 2024.
Why did you start rowing?
I started rowing because I wanted to watch Arnold in the film Predator. The film was showing at the local Crossfit gym and the rule was you had to row to watch it! Afterwards, I said to my Dad, “This isn’t so hard. What’s the big deal?” Dad purchased an erg for home and we started comparing the times I was doing with the U12 records and went on to set 8 records in my first year. It was pretty much that simple. Then for each age group, I started setting age-division world records, and a love for rowing grew out of that competition. My family has always been a very athletic family my Mom was an athlete during high school and college and my Dad is a Mountaineering guide.
What do you like most about being on the water?
I live 6 hours from Seattle and don’t really have the opportunity to row with others or being part of a team, so I have learned to love rowing alone in the single. I have always lived in the country, by a lake, and love being outdoorsy, so being on the water has always been part of my life. When I am out in the boat in the morning, feeling the water run underneath the boat, it is magical. I have a continual self-drive for improvement and have come to realise that rowing isn’t a sport of immediate pleasure. Instead, it’s all about long term satisfaction and improvement.
Have there been any challenges or setbacks?
Not having a regular team to train with has been both a blessing and a curse. It means my schedule is more flexible, but it also means that I don’t have folks to bang oars with every day, something I really enjoy.
Any training tips?
It’s important to develop a mixing pot of things. Vary your training on a repeating weekly cycle. Don’t reinvent the wheel – look at what others are doing and try to personalize and improve it. For me, I am an endurance athlete. I like long-distance swimming and do ultra-running with my Dad. I like to push myself to see how far I can go. I guess you need to find what kind of athlete you are and go with that.
What did it take to be the top sculler in the US?
The foremost, God’s blessing with where I live, my supportive family, and the opportunities I’ve had. My Dad is my coach and manager all in one. He motivates me and encourages me to be the best I can. Everything we have achieved we have done together. After that, consistent training, grit, good food, and lots of sleep. Oh, and genetics. Your genetic lot is something that can be overcome, but when it’s a natural fit, it’s a blessing.
What now? How will rowing fit into your other life ambitions?
Rowing is an integral part of my life. Most of what I do has some way that it can be connected with rowing, from school to work to my relationships with people around me. I love applying what I’ve experienced and learned in rowing to other aspects of my life. I read classical literature and am involved in debating, so I value my education. One day I’d love to own my own business and be involved with product development, something to do with rowing.
Why do you use foils? What do they bring to your rowing performance?
At the end of the day, I use the foils because I like them. I think they improve the stroke by simplifying it and allowing for more direct application of power during the drive. They provide stability and speed, and while I don’t think they are a ‘miracle cure’ when it comes to the rowing stroke, they do make boats faster.
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