Happy Hooch Indeed!

Last year's Head of the Hooch was the first time we raced the pair, like ever. We brought home a bronze medal in the U17 category and a passion for the boat that keeps growing and growing. Our love for the pair brought us back to the Hooch this year for one of the most exciting moments of our high school rowing careers: coming out on top with the GOLD medal--in the U19 category and overall! As JUNIORS!!

Anna's perspective: "It was really fun to steer around the course with the constant turn to the left, which made keeping the best course on the buoys fun but equally challenging for me by trying not to over-correct. The best part of the race was from the island to the finish. It’s honestly the straightest part of the course so we were just sending it all the way down to the last bridge. What made that even more fun was how little by little I was able to see our stern pulling away from the rest of the competition. I got so much adrenaline rush from watching that I was able to push past my leg pain and go all ham till the very end. The fact that we were able to pull our goal time of sub 17:40 minutes [~17:37!] was the icing on the cake!"

Maija's perspective: "We wanted to win, but we knew the competition was super strong: girls committed to row on elite college teams and many that race with really good teams, and JNT! When we won, it was unexpected and felt so good because of the strength of the field. We started out of order so we were facing Saint Andrew’s bow. It was really intimidating but we just kept trying to gain distance between us, and eventually it looked like we had gained. We had some steering adjustments and although we knew we were moving fast, we weren't sure of our placement. It was absolutely awesome getting off the dock and hearing from our teammates and family that we took the gold."

At OARS, the 8+ boats are the priority, and in the weeks heading up to the Hooch we spent most regular practices on the water in that boat. Our U19 8+ A entry repeated last year's 7th place finish. We were honored to row in this boat both last year and this year. Last year, Maija rowed in 2 seat and Anna rowed in 5 seat. This year we switched sides, with Maija in 7 and Anna in 4. We row opposite sides in the pair--Maija as port stroke and Anna as starboard bow. The blisters and calluses are worth the increase in flexibility these opportunities provide us. Our 8+ boat this year was a smooth row, and we really kept in sync throughout our race.

As we continue gaining experience in all classes of boats, we are mindful of what we are learning and how we can apply these lessons wherever and however we row. We have read that many coaches find the pair to be an exceptionally good tool for learning and making improvements in key areas. Our experience definitely reflects that, specifically in the areas of:

• Tech: We have seen the value of listening to our coaches, taking corrections, asking for feedback, and learning how posture, balance, blade work, and power application specific to each seat among other things leads to speed.

• Matching: Which we know is absolutely critical in this boat. Both rowers need to make the commitment and have a feel for what they can do TOGETHER because of course that makes the boat FASTER. Without it, the boat can fishtail and lose momentum.

• Trust and Communication: We can have a bad day, but blame is pointless and gets in the way of pushing through levels. We rely on each other and know that both of us will dedicate our whole selves to getting in top condition and racing with every bit of our ability.

• Strength: Rowing this boat takes a lot of energy and endurance. We put in the time and effort with intentional physical conditioning off the water.

• Emotional Resilience: rebounding, having perspective, extending every kindness to our pair partner and ourselves.

• Accountability: No cox = no calls and no steering from anyone but us; there is nowhere to hide in the pair!

• Preparation: Prepping and executing the race plan is on us; knowing the course; attending the meetings; researching the field, the race course, the weather conditions, the past times; rigging and maintaining the equipment; getting enough sleep, fuel and mental fitness.

• Observation: Objectively seeing what are the opportunities and challenges and what needs to be fixed, which includes everything from equipment to the moves our competition makes.

• Community: Rowers who take on the challenge of the pair know they are in a group with a whole lot of heart. We follow each other, know each other, congratulate each other, and cheer each other on.

• Dedication: especially important for us at OARS because our team prioritizes the 8+ and like many youth clubs, rowers don’t often practice in the pair. We made the time for some additional practices.

We have also seen how a victory in the pair can feel like the BIGGEST moment to share with another team member. Like Herb Brooks said, "great moments are born from great opportunity." We have loved sharing these truly great moments with each other.

At the finish for 7th place in the U19 8+! Maija 7 seat, Anna 4 seat

Video: Andert U19 2- heading to the finish line and GOLD!

The whole family celebrating after all the effort we put in together to get to this place!

The "Ted Lasso" sign posted in our stairwell and a photo of our 2024 bronze medals in the U17 2-. We touched this sign as we headed out the door for the ride up to Hooch this year!