OS Stefanie Kozuszek reminds us what it’s really all about

Open Scullers launch for another morning of hard work on the water. (Photo by Igor Belakovskiy)

Tonight is the Rising Stars Dinner and Auction, an event to support the National Team and Olympic dreams of members of PBC’s Open Sculling Program.  Following the dinner, our Open Scullers will leave for California and the final leg of training for the regattas that will determine this year’s Olympic team.  Our shared hopes, dreams, and best wishes for success, go with them!

In this month’s look into the world of an Open Sculler, Stefanie Kozuszek reminds us that making the National Team is just the icing on the cake of being part of a hard working, close-knit team.

If you’d like to read more about Open Sculler Stefanie Kozuszek, please visit her bio page here (click).

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Happy 2012! I hope everyone had an enjoyable holiday season!

It’s a big year, an Olympic year, and the end of a four year cycle of hard work and effort by athletes from all over the world hoping to represent their nation in London. For the PBC Open Sculling Program, it means it’s time for us to kick it into overdrive. Following this weekend’s Rising Stars Dinner and Auction, a few of us will stay in DC and focus on building our fitness, targeting through to the next cycle. Others will head out to Long Beach, California, to prepare for the National Selection Regattas in Chula Vista in April. We all hope they will be greeted with flat water, warm weather, and a training environment that will lead them to a spot on the National Team.

It’s always interesting to see the reactions of people when you tell them that you are training to one day make the National Team or better yet, to make it to the Olympics. They usually hone in on the Olympic part and ask when the next Olympics are. The next time they see you they’ll ask something like, “So, make it to the Olympics, yet?”

Deep down, you know how much more work and how many more years you will have to put in to make that dream a reality. You’ll have to get up early, train twice a day, and throw in a little work on top of it all to help pay the bills. This and more run through your head when all the person waiting on the other side probably wants is the short answer. Still, you’re thinking that there is always more you can do, always something to improve on to give you that little extra edge … “No, not yet, but I’m working on it,” you say.

Sometimes it’s scary to share your ultimate goal with others. What if you never reach that goal? Will they think of you as a failure? Or will they respect that you had enough courage to chase those dreams? In the end I’ve realized that if you are doing what you what makes you happy, then who cares what someone else might thing.

The reality is that we won’t all make it to the Olympics or even to the National Team. But as long as we’ve tried our best and enjoyed the time that we’ve put in, each of us will be able to walk away with our heads held high knowing we were true to our dreams. The friendships built on this team alone are enough to make it all worth it, but we will have also bettered ourselves along the way.

But enough of that. It’s time to get fast!

Rise to the occasion, PBC!

Social Committee Chair Virginia Bryant and Coach Reilly Dampeer and her Open Scullers want to remind everyone that the Rising Stars Dinner is less than two weeks away!

The Second Annual Rising Stars Silent Auction and Dinner is coming up on January 21. This is your opportunity to play a vital role in America’s success in international athletic competition and the strong tradition of competitive excellence at PBC. Show your support: donate services or items for the silent auction, buy tickets to the event, bid up auction items!

For more information, check your mail for your invitation or click on a link below.

• Rising Star Dinner Information
• Auction Donation Form

See you there, PBC!

-The Potomac Star on behalf of the Social Committee and Open Sculling Team

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Please save the date:  January 21, 2012

Potomac Boat Club
Rising Stars Dinner and Silent Auction
An event to benefit the club’s Olympic Hopefuls

 

An invitation to Save the Date from Open Sculling Coach Reilly Dampeer:

The Potomac Boat Club Open Sculling Program is hosting the second annual Rising Stars dinner and silent auction on January 21, 2011, to benefit our Olympic hopefuls.

I am pleased to announce that this year’s event will take place at the prestigious University Club in downtown Washington, DC.  Potomac Boat Club members will receive an invitation in the mail soon, so please keep an eye out for it and RSVP as quickly as possible, since space will be limited for this special event.

The Open Sculling Program attracts talented athletes from across the United States to Potomac Boat Club to train for elite national and international competition.  The Program has produced athletes who have earned Olympic, World, Pan American and National Championship medals.  As we approach the upcoming Olympic year, our focus is sharp and our goals are to earn the honor of representing our country internationally and bring prestige to the club and program. Like all aspiring athletes who came before us, we strive with dedication, perseverance, and the hope to embody the competitive spirit and tradition that is Potomac Boat Club.

Proceeds raised from this event will fund travel expenses and entry fees for the 2012 Olympic selection regattas to be held in Chula Vista, California.  It will also fund the purchase of the latest training technology, state-of the-art equipment and resources for our athletes.

The 2011 event was a huge success, and I look forward to achieving even higher goals at this year’s Rising Stars event. PBC community support is key to our success. There are literally hundreds of sponsors, officials, coaches, and other individuals who make the achievement of an Olympic dream possible. We invite you to share this exciting evening with us and to be part of the enduring dreams of our athletes.

For more information regarding the Open Sculling Program and the donation of items for the Silent Auction, please contact me at redampeer@yahoo.com or (206) 819-6004.

Thank you so much for your continued support.

Reilly Dampeer
Head Coach, Open Sculling Program

Open Sculling 2012 Preview

After a successful 2011, it looks like our Open Sculling Program is getting some new blood!  Open Sculler Katie Stainken contributes the following post.

To learn more about Potomac Boat Club’s Open Sculling Program and Katie, please visit The Open Sculling Program page at http://www.potomacstar.com/racing-programs/test/.  And check back soon for new teammate bios!

A big PBC WELCOME to our new Open Scullers and coaches!

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Since the last update from the Open Scullers, quite a few exciting changes have taken place. The biggest change is in the roster:  we now have four women and eleven men, who make for a crowded carpet at 6am when we do our daily core routine!

On the men’s side, Open Sculling Program veterans Willy Cowles, Taylor Frank, Sean Gorman, Joe Ledvina, and Michael Malone are joined by Greg Charte, Patrick Lacey, Matt Miller, Carl Thunman, Steve Whelpley, and Nate Kelly. For the women, Stef Kozuscek, Katie Stainken, and Morgan Wimberley are joined by Emily Carney.  Lucky for us though, Coach Reilly has recruited two new coaches to assist with the program and keep us in line: Jim O’Connor and Heather Barney.  Thanks to Jim and Heather for volunteering their time!

Looking back at Fall the Open Scullers participated in the Head of the Potomac, Head of the Occoquan, Head of the Charles, and the Fall Speed Order. All of these races offered great racing experience for the team as we geared up for winter training and the 2012 year.  We capped off the fall with a new challenge … the first annual PBC Triathlon, which consisted of a 10k erg, bridge loop run, and a quick row out to Roosevelt bridge and back.  Next up, we have a run test, 30 minute test, 6k test, and the annual erg marathon on December 31^st. Hopefully the weather will remain mild, or at least above freezing, and we will be able to continue to row through December and into January. With the 4-oar rule in effect and our large team roster, 2x and 4x will have to be the boats of choice.

It’s not all work with the Open Scullers, though!  We’re looking forward to decorating the ballroom and to hosting the PBC Christmas party on December 11, and then to our Rising Stars dinner in January, which was so successful last year thanks to you.  Some members of the team are also California Dreamin’, and will be heading out to train the winter months away in Long Beach, California, after the start of the new year.

As always, thanks so much for your support, PBC!  Stay tuned for more information on what your Open Sculling Program is up to and news of our upcoming events!

The Concept2 Holiday Challenge is kicking our rear

UPDATE!

For all of the ergers we have, we are woefully behind in the standings.

Let’s go ahead and get this done for the PBC team.  And by the way, for every person who completes at least 100k during the challenge, Concept2 will donate $.02 for each kilometer (1000 meters) you accumulate to your choice of the following organizations:

• Vermont Disaster Relief Fund
• American Red Cross Disaster Relief (International)
• Unicef—Emergency Relief Programs

Here’s how you sign up …

1. You must have an Online Logbook at concept2.com (it’s FREE!) and all of your meters must be entered into your Online Logbook. If you don’t already have one, visit the Online Logbook home page, click Register under New User and follow the directions. Kids Challenge participants need to set up an individual logbook (using a parent’s email address is fine).
2. Under the Profile tab, enter your current mailing address. This is to ensure we have your correct mailing address for mailing your pin (see below for how to qualify).
3. After you row/ski, record your meters in your Online Logbook. The Online Logbook automatically calculates your meters during the challenge.
4. Visit the Challenges page in your Online Logbook. When you’ve reached your goal, the Challenges page of the Online Logbook automatically recognizes your achievement and displays instructions for claiming your rewards.

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Originally posted November 21, 2011:

The other day I looked over at my husband and I said, “Big Papa (because he likes it when I call him Big Papa) ….”  I said, “Big Papa what we need around these parts is a little more ergin’.”  He slowly put down a large sticky jug of syrup and  mumbled something about being on the erg since the end of baseball season.  Just gave me more incentive to kick his baseball butt out of there!  Git! Because guess what folks?! (Cue banjo ….)

It’s time for the Twelfth Annual Concept 2 Holiday Challenge, November 24 through December 24!  And it’s so easy! All you have to do is go to the Concept 2 site and sign up.  Of course, then you have to erg and stuff, but who cares when you get a prize!

Choose one of the following goals:

• 1000,000 meters
• 2000,000 meters
• 50,000 meters for kids 16 and under
• Adaptive athletes may choose 5ok, 100k or 200k

Row and record!  Free prizes for anyone who completes any of the challenges goals.

For every person who completes at least 100k during the challenge, Concept2 will donate $.02 for each kilometer (1000 meters) you accumulate to your choice of the following organizations:

• Vermont Disaster Relief Fund
• American Red Cross Disaster Relief (International)
• Unicef—Emergency Relief Programs

We’re gonna to win it this year, PBC!  Here are our results from the beginning of the year: http://www.concept2.com/sranking03/challenge/univStandings2012.asp.  Walk in the park, Ladies.  Walk in the park.

Go here for all of the details: http://www.concept2.com/us/motivation/challenges/individual/holchal.asp.  Let see 10 signed up by the end of the day!

GO PBC!





Start your New Year’s Resolution to be social in December!

Hosted by the PBC Open Sculling Program, you are cordially invited to celebrate the Season’s Spirit of Giving in our beautifully decorated, heated ballroom!

The Potomac Boat Club Annual Holiday Party
Date: Sunday, December 11, 2011
Time: 3:00 – 5:00 PM
Dress:  Festive Attire (Yes, it’s time for that sweater. The only time.)

Hors d’Oeuvres ~ Beverages
Good Friends and “Others”
Fun Photos with Santa
Belly Button Bakery for the Children
PBC Members, Friends and Guests welcome!

AND please don’t forget to bring an unwrapped, NEW gift to support the United States Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots!

Oh, for all of you crazy “Senior Members” out there (and we know you’re crazy because you actually read this far down …), at 2:30 PM, before the start of the “regular” party, there will be a brief “Special Meeting of the Membership” in the “Club Lounge” to vote on an “extra special” amendment to the Club’s “Constitution.”

Now, that’s what we call getting the party started “early,” if you know what we “mean” … (wink)!

Not that we do, of course.

 

Hypothermia alert

It seems that every year there is another sad reminder of the dangers of cold water activity.  The latest tragic incident happened right in our area.

Don’t let a warm day here or there fool you, PBC.  Water temperatures are dropping, along with your chances of surviving a flip.

Please read the following cold water story posted on the Star last year; it contains links to important information about hypothermia that we all need to know:  Safety lesson learned the hard way.

The 2011 PBC Triathlon

In case you didn’t check the listserv this week, or conveniently chose to ignore the message, you were invited to participate in the 2011 PBC Triathlon this morning.  Missed that one, huh?

On November 19, 2011, PBC’s Open Scullers, led by Coach Reilly Dampeer, combined their usual training efforts into a little triathlon. They erged, ran, rowed, and invited everyone to participate in the “fun.”

Here was the format:

• Erg – 10km
• Run the “Bridge loop” out to Virginia across Memorial Bridge and back to the Club from Virginia across Key Bridge (approximately 3 miles)
• Row a single out to Roosevelt Bridge and back to PBC (approximately 4km)
• No ‘Transition Time” allocations or assistance allowed (e.g., oars or boat to the dock)

Reilly briefed participants at 6:30 AM, and the clock started at 7:00 AM.  Finish time was recorded for each participant when the participant’s feet were firmly planted on the PBC dock.  No handicaps were used to calculate the results.

Well, who was the big winner?  We’ll have to get the update from Reilly!

 

 

Potomac Pirate?

 

 

Mike McGuirk sent us a photo of this wayward pirate lurking up at the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta last weekend.  He claims to be a senior member of Potomac Boat Club.  Below is the proof that PBC member or not, this pirate is just after your booty.

Ahoy, Mateys! (No, he didn’t say that. Too obvy.  But admit it.  You expected it.)

Dear PBC friends:

I am announcing our plan to move the floats downstream on Saturday Dec. 3rd.  We’ll need all hands to make the move go fast and easy.  If the weather is really cold, raining/snowing hard, or extremely windy, we can try the next day (Sunday, 4th). Stay tuned.

Coaches and rowers who know the motor boats can help ahead by being sure we have the tanks all fueled up, and engines to use identified.

In the week preceding the move can some of you sweep rowers please get the big wooden outboard-motor bracket out from behind the 8’s?

Also, close to the date, would someone please volunteer to untie the short ropes we put on to keep the ramps in place if a flood were to come?

Thank you everyone!

Chuck Selden

PBC Float Captain and Pirate (… or Privateer, in polite company)

PBC’s Shumway finds gold in Mexico

PBC's Margot Shumway at this year's Pan Am Games (Photo courtesy of Margaux Jackson)

Potomac Boat Club’s Margot Shumway won gold today in the Women’s Single event at the XVI Pan American Games 2011.

Margot’s win earned the U.S. one of the two gold and one bronze medals won by our National Team on this second day of finals in Ciudad Guzman.

Click here to read the Rowing News article about Margot’s win and here to read the ESPN article about the win and for more updates from Mexico.

CONGRATULATIONS TO MARGOT AND COACHES MATT MADIGAN AND REILLY DAMPEER!  We’re so proud of you!

Kevin Baum … from Red to Blue

We wish Kevin the best of luck on his quest to earn a seat in the Blue Boat. Don’t forget to write.

To read Kevin’s bio, click here.  -PS

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Time is impervious to the effect specific moments have on people. We ascribe extraordinary value to events, which can re-define us as people, yet are offered no chance to sit by and observe that moment. The clock keeps ticking and lives need living, regardless of the internal psychological transformation that has taken place.

Such is rowing. Win or lose, succeed or fail, we still wake up the next day and have to get back at it again. Ultimately, rowing careers are judged by wins and losses and medals won, but the value of rowing goes much deeper. The life of an oarsman revolves around training. It consumes 99.9% of our time, and it is from this experience that we derive worth from the sport. Winning races would mean nothing without the thousands of hours of training that brings us there. There is a direct correlation between effort exerted in achieving a goal and how consequential achieving that goal is.

Coming off a four month ankle injury last fall, the prospect of re-gaining my previous fitness was daunting. Recognizing success lay in improving on that previous level was overwhelming. The only way to survive experiences like this (especially the first few months of only erging), was to set a tangible, achievable goal: Pan American Game Trials in August. I had seven months to get myself back into shape and in a position to race for a spot on team USA. I knew barring any major changes, I would be racing in the double with Taylor Frank. Having raced with him many times before, I felt very comfortable with this lineup and was excited to see how fast we could make it go in seven months.

By the end of the summer, we were starting to feel very confident in our speed. Rowing at the US Elite Nationals, we placed third, sprinting through a double from the US Training Center with far superior erg scores, to claim the bronze. One more month of training and we would be ready.

Unlike many of the races I have participated in at PBC, I felt a strange sense of calm for this one. Psychologically and physically, I was in a better position for success than any previous PBC race. I had remained largely sickness and injury free during the seven months. Taylor and I had logged many hours in the double and had total confidence in our rhythm. We were ready.

Our heat went as well as could be expected, with our double placing first and earning an automatic spot in the final. It was a learning experience however, as our long, effective 36, became a short, less effective 36 in the second thousand after the wind shifted from a direct tail to a direct head. However, we pulled out the win in an excruciating last 500. We earned ourselves a day of rest which we sorely (no pun intended) needed. The rep the next day showed us that our speed was right in the mix, with the top two crews finishing 1 second and 0.5 seconds ahead of the crew we had beaten the day before.

Success requires skill, hard work and luck. You must put yourself in a position to succeed, but sometimes the best preparation doesn’t always lead to the desired or expected result. Ask Mahe Drysdale in 2008. Ultimately, we did not take advantage of the good position in which we had placed ourselves. After a solid start and a decent first 500, the wheels came off. The rhythm we had found in practice and in the heat was not there, and we struggled to get it back. Maybe it was the hour and a half rain delay. Maybe it was the nerves generated by our best chance to win a regatta. Whatever it was, we did not execute. Hats off to the winning crews. By the last 500, we were totally out of the race, and were forced to row through the referee wake for 500 meters tripling the margin.

Devastation. Frustration. Embarrassment. Myriad emotions swirled through my frazzled brain after the race. It wasn’t just that we lost. The other crews had trained just as hard and long as we had. It was underperforming so epically. It would have been tough to be mad if had we raced as to our potential. Chances are, if we had rowed our greatest race, we would have still lost. But we did not give ourselves the opportunity to find out. We let ourselves, our coaches, and our training down. In rowing, you only get one shot. As much as I desired to just sit on the water and never come back to shore, the world had not stopped. The clock continued to tick, and we continued to breathe.

The toughest part was feeling like we had let Ri down. What she had done with two undersized, under-gifted athletes in such a short time was remarkable, and I cannot say enough how incredible a coach she has been. Even though we did not achieve our goal, I am proud of the effort we made. Those seven months of training were the real experience, and one that I will carry with me the rest of my life, even though I will not be racing in Mexico. The hours on the water in the dark and cold. The training in Augusta. Proving to myself that I could overcome my injury and get back to my previous level. Proving to ourselves that we could race and compete with the big boys, regardless of our ergs or our experience. These are the lessons that have changed me and I will carry with me.

The clock kept ticking. After taking some time to put it all in perspective, I had life choices to make. Ultimately, for a variety of reasons, I accepted a place I had been offered to study for a Master’s degree at Oxford University. I will continue to row there, and attempt to make the Blue Boat for the 158th Boat Race.

I will be sure to keep Potomac Star updated as to my progress while I am on the other side of the pond, and am thankful for all the support I have received from everyone at Potomac over the past few years.

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