It’s hard not to notice the long slender rowboats moving through Mission Bay at mind-blowing speeds with the word “stroke” being grunted by each of the rowers. Spectators of these rowers in training constantly have their minds blown by this physically demanding sport.
Although a fairly newcomer to this intense sport of rowing, Sophomore Katya DeMerrit certainly does not lack the enthusiasm to continue to improve upon her skills.
According to Katya, she decided to pursue her interest in rowing just three months ago. Taking the initiative to find a rowing club that was willing to teach her everything about rowing was a bit of a challenge. Eventually Katya joined the Mission Bay Rowing Club.
Katya has already begun to compete in races. “My first competition that I participated in was at Long Beach. I did not do very well since it was my very first time racing and it was only a week after I began rowing at that particular club,” said Katya. However, with her dedication to the sport, she will certainly do better at her next competition in Arizona.
Katya trains with her Coach Rosemary Oustinfeld at the San Diego Rowing Club weekly. “As part of our training, we are hooked up to this machine that is similar to rowing, but it tells you how hard you are pulling and how fast, this training is helpful if you want to improve your technique. We also do a ton conditioning as well,” said Katya.
Katya trains with and races many different boats. According to the official United States Rowing website there are many different types of boats or shells used for rowing, for example: the eights or fours (usrowing.org). “The boats that I train with and race are the eights, fours, doubles, and singles,” said Katya.
According to Katya, rowing is not her first water sport in which she has participated. When she was younger, she also raced CFJ boats and 420’s at the Mission Bay Yacht Club. “I like rowing, because I really enjoy sports and I love being out on the water,” said Katya.
However, not every rowing practice goes as planned, which Katya made clear. “One day my seat got off track, so I was trying to row back to shore. But then my oar came out of the oarlock. So when I was trying to put my oar back in the lock, my boat tipped over and capsized. I got to swim back to shore with the boat which was very exciting,” said Katya.
Katya is quite busy; on top of rowing she also does competition cheer and water polo. She also enjoys hanging out with her friends. “Katya is so determined. She is such a great teammate and friend,” said Sophomore Gwyn Curry.