Last Saturday’s Alumni Race at Mission Bay Aquatic Center was aday when everyone got to try his hand at rowing.
Family and friends joined the San Diego State crew members andalumni for a day filled with races, a boat induction ceremony and thecamaraderie and perseverance that is associated with rowing.
The Aztecs gave spectators a chance to learn firsthand aboutrowing, when they were allowed to accompany team members on theboats.
Assistant coach Kevin Waldick said it was an interesting sight tosee people out on the water. He said that most of the parents don’tknow much about rowing and all the girls were complaining that theirfamilies weren’t doing it right.
Mary Sue, the new Novice Eight boat, was christened at a ceremonyafter the day’s events.
Head coach Scott Steckel said that last weekend’s race acted as alast-minute tune-up heading into this week’s season opener at theParker Cup Regatta against Loyola Marymount and University ofCalifornia Irvine.
“We accomplished what we wanted to,” Steckel said. “We were ableto have the alumni get together and race. We want to continue to havethe alumni involved with our team because they’re part of the peoplewho built the team and made it what it is today.”
Steckel feels that, while it’s still early in the year, the Aztecsare prepared to face the challenges of their season.
“Most crews aren’t starting their racing season until March, andwe’re here in February,” Steckel said. “I think that’s good for us.That’ll give us some experience.”
“I think we’re all pretty anxious and excited,” coxswain AlisonAbrams said. “We’ve been practicing hard core since mid-January andit seems like forever. We’re all really in the competitive mode.”
Steckel said that the competition should be tough this weekend. Hesaid that LMU is a very improved team this season.
The Lions got a new boathouse in the off-season and a bunch ofscholarships, which he feels will add to their competitiveness.
Said Steckel: “This early, it’s really anybody’s race. It’s whoprepared now that will count in the long run.”
Saturday’s races will consist of 2,000-meter races, which usuallylast six and a half minutes. Boats that will be competing include theNovice Four, Novice Eight, Junior Varsity Eight and Varsity Eight.
The meet starts at 7:30 a.m., and Steckel said the best place toview the race is from Fiesta Island at Mission Bay.
“Going to any crew race and seeing how eight people can worktogether to pull one little boat across a finish line is intense,”Abrams said. “It’s exciting. People are energized, and they use theirwhole body and all their energy to make it to the finish line.”
For those who aren’t too familiar with the sport of rowing,Steckel recommends they come to this race. He said that it’ll be arather small race, but will educate people before their next homerace, the San Diego Crew Classic, on April 6-7, where the expectedturnout will be nearly 20,000 spectators.
