Green Lake vs. Brentwood

11 October 2014Featherdawn F, Alex ‘15, Photos by Brian Carr

They asked for power—power through the water! We move the boat with strong strokes—“Pull!” our coxswain and coaches encourage. After a while the voices fade, replaced by a dull throbbing in the head. The chest constricts. It is hard to breathe and our legs burn but we take stroke after stroke anyways. The blisters on our hands, once a concern, trouble us no more. The clack of oarlocks at the finish of a stroke unites us. We all endure together and we all push on every stroke. The boat across from us, also united in effort, will not fall behind. We begin to fade. Determined, the cox calls out, breaking through the wall we have begun to form in our minds. We push harder. The other boat falls behind. The taste of victory rises, sweet at the backs of our throats—but we’re not there yet. “Five hundred meters to go!” the cox yells. We pull. Last weekend the entire Brentwood rowing crew—boys and girls—hosted Green Lake, a rowing team from Seattle, at our annual duel. The girls practiced four times over the weekend and had fantastic results. Each day, with different Brentwood girls within the eight that would race against Green Lake, the results changed slightly—sometimes in favor of Brentwood, sometimes Green Lake—but everyone worked hard and had a lot of fun doing so. The Green Lake rowers stayed with Brentwood girls in their dorms for the weekend. They were able to experience life at Brentwood first hand, and also make some long-term friends along the way. Our first practice Friday afternoon greeted us with pristine water and sunshine. We were able to venture around the point and travel towards Salt Spring Island, a route only rowed once or twice a year. We were greeted with an amazing view of the open ocean and the occasional curious seal. A porpoise even poked its head up a few time, thrilling everyone. Sunday morning the two crews assembled for our last practice together. While the majority of the Brentwood population was on a bus heading to Victoria for Run for the Cure, the Brentwood rowers gathered to row for the cure. We all wore special shirts to show our support for the cause and our teacher, Madam Steinbrink-Kelly, who is currently fighting cancer. The practice was hard and well fought, everyone giving an enormous effort for their team and Madam Steinbrink-Kelly. Afterwards, the crews enthusiastically made their way to the cafeteria where brunch was being served. With choices such as pancakes lavished in chocolate and whipped cream to yogurt and berries or bacon and eggs, the hungry rowers loaded their trays up to impressive heights. It was a last chance to share stories and get to know one another a little more as Green Lake was heading home that afternoon. The weekend was a fun and eventful one that every Brentwood rower will remember fondly. We all made some new friends along the way and both crews are looking forward to our duel next year, in 2015. Featherdawn F, Alex ‘15

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