Being a rower makes having a life, let alone a love life, difficult. Looking around at my fellow rowers, it’s apparent that many of them have found relationships within our own community. This trend isn’t surprising; after all, the sport of rowing has a knack for monopolizing time and conversations, so finding someone who isn’t immersed in the same world is somewhat uncommon.
Considering the demanding schedule of a rower – early morning practices, late-night sessions, and full weekends spent at regattas or on the water – such commitments leave little room for conventional relationship dynamics, making it challenging to find someone who not only understands but embraces your full-on lifestyle.
It’s against this backdrop that, for rowers, a non-rowing partner emerges as an elusive figure in a pool of rowing-centric relationships.
In my own experience, being in a relationship with a non-rower has presented its fair share of hurdles. From negotiating training schedules to explaining the physical toll of rowing leaving me too exhausted to give back, there have been moments of frustration and misunderstanding. Yet, despite the apparent challenges, there are undeniable advantages to be found in the pursuit of love outside the boathouse. The challenges are offset by the unique perspectives and experiences that my partner brings to the table.
In the context of rowing, having a partner who isn’t immersed in the sport can offer a welcome respite from the intensity of training and competition. Being able to set your mind away from an upcoming erg test or race and chatting about something completely different can be hard with fellow crewmates. Having a coffee date with someone outside of the sport allows you to relax your mind away from the upcoming hardship without risk of the topic even coming up.
As Olympic champion Alex Gregory aptly stated in a recent post, “Balance isn’t just okay—it’s the secret ingredient that unlocks your potential.” This sentiment rings true in the realm of relationships as well – finding someone who respects and supports your passion for rowing while also offering a fresh perspective can be a game-changer.
The ability to completely remove yourself from the sport when you aren’t training is something that I personally found difficult at uni. I was living in a house of rowers, my job was coaching rowing, and my hobby was of course, rowing. As a high-performance athlete, this situation can work in your favour, with everyone around you supporting your needs as an athlete. However, days where you had a bad session or got moved out the crew you were aiming for can be really tough mentally. Having someone to remind you that there is a whole world away from rowing is refreshing and important.
While the allure of a rowing partner may seem enticing, there is value to be found in seeking companionship outside the sport. By cultivating diverse social networks and maintaining a healthy balance between athletic pursuits and personal relationships, athletes can enhance their overall well-being and performance both on and off the water.
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