1. What inspired you to go to your first rowing practice; was there anything memorable about it?
I went to a different high school (Brentwood College) for grades 11 and 12 and my typical sports of Hockey and Golf weren't really offered - my choices were rugby or rowing. I was a skinny little kid that didn't know the rules to rugby so I tried rowing and it just clicked. I remember going out for our first workout in this huge barge and becoming impatient really quickly and wanting to jump into the experienced group. Luckily for me the program had graduated nearly everyone the previous year so I moved up quickly and got to spend a lot of time with Tony Carr coaching me in the single. I can't think of a better way to learn how to row.
2. Was there a practice, race or other event when you fell in love with the sport, or when you knew you might not be too bad at rowing? When you thought you could make the national team?
I knew fairly early on in my career that I wanted to pursue rowing but there were definitely some bumps along the way. I can still remember the first row in the varsity 8+ at Cal and what an incredible feeling that was. That was easily the most technically efficient collegiate boat I was in and the rowing just felt effortless. Lots of free speed. With the National team, I remember showing up to trials in 2001 and not being fazed. I knew that I was going for the under-23 boat that year but, as long as I kept improving, making that next step felt attainable. We did well that summer at U23s and I was in the Senior pair the following year.
3. Best race/practice, worst race/practice?
Our heat in Beijing got off to a rough start and we just didn't find a rhythm. We led for most of the race but we were working way too hard for our speed and when it came time to lift to the line, we had nothing. France and Italy went through us and we held on to finish third. Going from thinking that we were medal contenders to finishing third in the heat was a tough pill to swallow. But luckily we got thing back on track in the semi-final and had a great race against the Australians in the final. Hopefully my best race is still to come.
4. Best/Anything you've done in the sport no one knows about?
I can also squat more than Susan Francia (I think).
5. Any/Most important advice for young rowers?
The great thing about rowing is the direct correlation between hard work and speed on the water. If you want to be faster, work harder and more intelligently than everyone else. Most races come down to who got the most out of the winter of training. And have fun. There will be difficult times, but you need to enjoy the process.
Began Rowing: Brentwood College, BC, 1997
Date of Birth: 7/21/80
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 190
High School: Brentwood College, BC
Undergraduate Education: University of California - Berkeley, B.S. in Business Administration, 2002
Graduate Education: Oxford University
Years on National Team: Ten - 2001, Under 23; 2002-08, 2011-12, Senior
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