“If rowing is that tough, maybe I should try it!”

Evan first heard about rowing through his friend Liam, who was always complaining about regattas and the sport's challenges. His frustration made Evan curious—if it was that tough, maybe it was worth trying.

Before COVID, Evan had played soccer, mostly as a goalie or defender, but after the pandemic, he was looking for something new. Coming from a mixed-race family, he had always appreciated sports as a way to connect with different communities. In the summer of 2022, he signed up for a rowing camp. It wasn’t easy. Balancing in the boat felt impossible initially, and getting back into shape was a struggle. But something about the sport kept him coming back. Being on the water was different from any other sport he had tried—refreshing, freeing, and unexpectedly addicting.

Why Rowing?
Unlike soccer, where his connection to the game often depended on whether the ball came his way, rowing demanded total synchronization. In a quad, every move had to be in perfect harmony with his teammates. It was more than just an individual effort—it was about trust, precision, and feeling completely in tune with the rhythm of the boat.

The Most Surprising Part
From the outside, rowing looked deceptively simple—just sit in the boat and pull. But the biggest challenge wasn’t strength; it was balance. Setting the boat, keeping it steady, and staying in time with his team turned out to be one of the hardest skills to master.

Lessons Learned
Rowing reinforced the importance of perseverance. If Evan missed even a day or two of practice, he could feel the difference. The sport demanded consistency, but the reward was worth it—every small improvement felt like a huge victory.

Advice for New Rowers
Evan’s biggest advice? Stick with it. In the beginning, it’s not about power—it’s about form. New rowers should take time to find the boat and teammates that suit them best. He had started rowing in a quad with mostly strangers, but through training and competition, they built a bond and improved together.

Looking Ahead
Now, Evan has his sights set on regionals. Last year, he placed first in the B final for the 14/15-year-olds, but he’s made huge strides since then. His goal is to qualify for nationals, aiming for an A-final time that will place his boat in the top 4 and secure a spot on the national stage.

Beyond competition, he enjoys the lighter moments of the sport—like scrimmages with teams like Vashon Island Rowing Club, where the atmosphere is more relaxed and fun. He still laughs about the time he raced a double with his teammate at the local Salmon & Seal regatta, both dressed as Spiderman. They placed second in both the race and the costume contest.

Next up? A Vashon Island scrimmage in two weeks. And after that, hopefully, a shot at nationals.