Row Row Row Your Boat

27 April 2014Jim Ganley

Sangfroid and stoicism has set in. No longer is the scent of the freshly placed outhouses still lingering fresh in the visitors’ minds, now all senses are tainted, intoxicated by all powerful, ever persuasive, constant ulterior motive: winning. Winning is a dish best served to nobody but yourself, it’s just an inherent quality of human nature. Although the innumerable spectators surrounding Brentwood campus’ buzzing waterfront may have some small urge to become participants, none will understand the “stressful” [Brian C, Green Lake Rowing] and exhilarating experience that is rowing until they have really sat on a shell in the vast expanse of the Pacific. With now thousands of athletes streaming into not only the campus grounds – which are currently littered with various quads, octets, and singles – but now on to the seal afterbirthed stained docks of Brentwood College. As the rowers lift their shells they feel the immense weight of the boat itself along with a deep running feeling of tension. Countless hours of preparation on erg machines, in the tank, on the waters themselves; it all comes down to this. Perhaps even after each and every member of a rowing squad has given it their all, their backs ruined, thighs totaled, lungs rattling – they will lose. Time is a runaway train and we are all its doomed passengers, and these rowers have just given up so much of their precious time for a race that they will have lost. Or, perhaps they will win. Few metallic substances [other than what Jordan S, Whittall ’15, describes as “the most scrumptious door knob of all time” at his summerhouse cabin] have such a satisfying taste as that of a winning gold medal. Participation ribbons are dirt at this point in time for certain crews; their aspirations are set higher that. As Shawnigan rower Hannah K said wisely, “It’s not about having the boat move you, it’s about you moving the boat.” Albeit a sport in which the main objective is going backwards and sitting [also where is the ball?], the excitement can still be smelled, even over the scent of the now not-so-freshly placed outhouses. I mean come on, whoever took a dump in the outhouse, please stop. That is just plain unsanitary. In all seriousness, as a spectator sport regatta is an uber chill event. Jampacked with delicious churros handmade by everyone’s favourite Damian, Damian M [Privett ‘15], exciting songs sung by Brentwood’s very own rock bands including lead singer such as stellar Shannyn O [Allard ‘15], and just in general an activity filled day extraordinaire; it really would be quite difficult to find more social kick in any regatta, or just any high school event in general. In terms of the rowers however, I can’t even begin to empathize with. Exhaustion, pain [both mental and physical], and incredibly fun times of relaxation are all smushed together in one big regatta sandwich. Eat the crusts, rowers. Soon, nothing will be left at all. Toby CH [Privett ‘15] Author of “Tides: debunked!” Photos by Brynn A [Hope ‘15]

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