It gives life a purpose. See, the thing about rowing is you set a goal. Let's line up all these people around the world and have them try to achieve the single distance of 2000m. All these people waste their entire life for this goal and ultimately upon that one moment, and in that one moment the person who wasted the most amount of time training and committed themselves wholey to this large endeavor will achieve that greatness.

Rob Gibson 2012 CAN M8+

There have been a lot of times that you doubted yourself and your team. Doubted your ability to lead. To make the team at all. If you're reading this now: you made it. There isn't any more time to waste doubting what lies ahead. You can only believe and create an experience without regrets. There isn't a scenario that you aren't prepared to face anymore. Everything you've learned from [your coaches] and your teammates has all been to prepare for this experience. Blaze. Burn. Live. Pursue what you've been after for the last few years. It's yours to take if you want it badly enough. Be fearless.

Megan Kalmoe 2012 USA M4x