Meet the Team: Rachel Wong, Director of Renton Rowing Center

Rachel Wong

Rachel is one of our newest staff members at the GPRF and we couldn't be happier to have her on board. Rachel is a long-time rower, coach and resident of the PNW, with connections to the rowing community throughout. She recently raced at HOCR 21' with athletes from LWRC.

How long have you been part of the GPRF?

I started officially working with the GPRF a little over a month ago, but have been good friends with many GPRF and PRC folks for several years now so the GPRF has been in my orbit for a while!

How does your position impact the GPRF?

My position working with the Renton Rowing Center helps to welcome the Renton community into the GPRF. Seattle has such a strong, long-standing tradition of rowing, and I am excited to help Renton grow and be an integral part of the culture of rowing in this area. By bringing rowing to a historically underserved community, I really believe we can be a great example of GPRF's mission and values.

Where and when did you start rowing?

I started rowing in the Fall of 2013 when I joined the Seattle University Women's walk-on team and fell in love with the sport right away.

What is your favorite memory of rowing?

One of my favorite memories of rowing is when I got to watch the Seattle Scullers athletes race for the first time with their own equipment at Head of the Charles in 2018. After putting in so much time and energy into getting the club up and running, it felt amazing to watch some of our most dedicated athletes come down the course with those bright green blades!

Who inspires you the most in the sport?

I get the most inspiration in rowing from all my youth athletes who I work with and have coached over the years. Their openness and willingness to learn from their failures pushes me to get out of my comfort zone. Professionally and personally, I have taken the best lessons in my life from my youth athletes who demonstrate their values through their actions every day.

Who inspires you the most in life?

My biggest inspirations in life are all the people who have taken time to mentor me and trust me to take on new challenges -- they know who they are!

How has your rowing experience changed during COVID-19?

As an athlete, I am fortunate enough to have been able to continue rowing through most of COVID-19. As a coach and an administrator, I have had to make so many adjustments to the way I conceptualize what makes a rowing program worthwhile and valuable. It has really helped me realize that the social component is one of the most important things we can offer to our athletes, and that maintaining a supportive and healthy community should always be the number one priority.

What advice would you give to someone considering rowing for the first time?

My advice to anyone considering rowing for the first time is always the same -- embrace the failure! Everyone starts at square one in learning to row, and everyone fails in a lot of different ways. It can teach you so much about yourself if you're willing to listen to the lessons in each failure.

What's your favorite workout?

I'm a sucker for a solid 30-minute steady state piece. There's nothing like zoning out and seeing where the water takes you.