Rowing
Unlike many conventional sports, rowing is a lifestyle. For anyone who is, or has ever been a rowing parent you are probably putting your hand up right now and saying: “Me, me I know exactly what they’re talking about”.
The importance of this really sinks in when we realize that all too soon our children will be part of the adult world and amongst the key contributors to our society. Therefore what better investment can you make in your child than supporting them in an activity which teaches them lessons that will serve them throughout their lives:
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- Being accountable for yourself and your actions
- Managing your health
- Keeping to time
- Building tenacity & resilience
- Dealing with victory & loss in an equally humbling manner
- Hard work does pays off
- and (last but not least) having fun with your team mates
Our young men and women all start as novices, all a little vulnerable, not too sure of themselves, perhaps not typical athletes or don’t have an eye for ball sports. Maybe they’re simply looking for something different to do on the weekend. The reality is that despite all the uncertainties, they quickly become a vital part of a newly formed crew.
Whether eleven or seventeen, each child leaves the edge of the water supported by their team and arrives back supported by their team. They receive advice on nutrition and training programmes for both on and off the water, and amazingly they actually follow these programmes!
Of course if you or I would have even tried giving them this sort of advice … well let’s not go there.
What an opportunity to learn life’s lessons not easily found elsewhere. Hard work, fitness, concentration, good nutrition, loads of sun block. Lots of time between races to chat with friends, play games, sleep, read a book, study or just engage in random chatter with coaches and fellow rowers.
Merit badges, scrolls, colours and medals are just some of the rewards the rowers receive at the end of a season. This can never sum up the sweat, effort, time, tears and joy that they experience in the process. But, no matter the final outcomes of races and the season, your child will have grown in so many ways.
Over the last 8 years we have been consistently astounded at how amazingly brave and mature our children became in such a short period of time.
How proud you will be of the adult your child will become - and it all started with a solid rowing season.
Eric Donaldson
Chairperson – Rowing Parents Support Group
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