Rowing is an absurdly simple sport. I can easily guide a beginner through the right technical motions. The difficulty arises when the beginner attempts to repeat those motions on a bumpy race course, at 40 strokes a minute, with his heart rate zooming, and an opponent charging up his stern.

Brad Alan Lewis 1984 USA M2x

Coach's Rule: never admit a lack of experience or knowledge. Carry on at all times as though you've guided a hundred champion crews. Honesty is not the best policy when leading a bunch of college rowers. They are looking for strong, disciplined leadership and not a kinder, gentler coach. Once you've established a certain attitude and demeanor, it's nearly impossible to change to a different mode in mid-season.

Brad Alan Lewis 1984 USA M2x

I can teach 90% of the rowing stroke in ten minutes. The other 10% will require you a lifetime of effort to learn.

Robert Valerian

During their college years the oarsmen put in terribly long hours, often showing up at the boathouse at 6:00am for pre-class practices. Both physically and psychologically, they were separated from their classmates. Events that seemed earth-shattering to them - for example, who was demoted from the varsity to the junior varsity - went almost unnoticed by the rest of the students. In many ways they were like combat veterans coming back from a small, bitter and distant war, able to talk only to other veterans.

David Halberstam "The Amateurs"

You have to know how to listen to your body because there is a part of you that always wants to quit and go back to sleep and there is also a part of your body which on occasion is worn out and wants and needs rest, and then you have to listen.

Tiff Wood

The mentality of rowers never ceases to amaze - here we were, several dozen seemingly healthy people, cramped into an over-heated room, watching with utter concentration the same solitary stroke over and over in slow motion. Rowers are a strange breed. The very best rowers have the fierce competitiveness of a Green Beret soldier, the artistic temperment of an old world master, the control and patience of a Zen monk. They are not driven by dreams of glory and money. They are selfless and sturdy. They will cooperate with people whose company they don't much enjoy in order to achieve their goals. Strange, wonderful people.

Brad Alan Lewis 1984 USA M2x