I set out to share my favorite pics and video from the San Diego Crew Classic on Instagram. The post quickly progressed into a short exposition with a clear place here on the blog!
Check out my reflections and please share your feedback. There is strength in solidarity and I would love to hear your favorite stories of women in sport. Your gems and experiences, perspectives and acknowledgements.
Who do you admire or appreciate?
Who has paved the way for, or inspired or influenced you?!
San Diego: From the Gram
San Diego! Learned that I am definitely an east coast girl. Still had a great time!
Highlight
First time in California. First time at the Crew Classic. Turned out to be a mini reunion village! Got to catch up with former teammates and friends, some of whom I haven’t seen in more than 10 years. A friend I met a lightweight quad camp in 2013. And two former teammates from my early days on Philadelphia’s Schuylkill River and the historic Boathouse Row.
Sending warmth to everyone I had the chance to catch up with or say a quick “hi!”
Reflection
I’ve been training with a competitive master’s swim team all winter—a team that includes several National record-holders multiple times over. In other words, FIERCE, PASSIONATE, BADASS FEMALE COMPETITORS. As I’ve gotten to know these women, many 20 plus years my senior, and now dipped a toe into master’s rowing, I’ve increasingly recognized the opportunities I’ve been afforded in sports.
I don’t know a life that doesn’t include being part of a team. And I certainly don’t know a life that includes not being allowed to compete in athletics or be part of a team. Ironically, the weekend that I lined up at Crew Classic was the same weekend I was recognized by my alma mater, Lehigh University, in celebration of 50 Years of Women’s Sports at the school.
All things considered, there’s a temptation to say: “WOW! Look at how far we’ve come!” In the context of the current sports culture, there is also more than enough reason to draw attention to all the work that still needs to be done. What work? Take a look at Lauren Fleshman’s recent Instagram post contrasting Team USA’s men’s and women’s track and field kits for the 2024 Paris Olympics as just one of countless examples of areas we need to do better.
So, San Diego…
The progress and the work yet to do.
For me right now, both topics feel like low hanging fruit (not to mention, topics ways too big to explore in a simple reflection). Instead, what’s coming up above everything else is a desire to acknowledge the trailblazers and all the women who NOW in their 50s, 60s and 70s ++ are seizing opportunities to explore the joy found in moving their bodies… in being part of an athletic community or team… in the focus and motivation gained and sustained through exercise and training… and perhaps in the nerves of race day—when sitting at a start line or standing on a starting block—in conjunction with a desire to win or tap into the drive to compete.
Cheers to the strength, wisdom and perspective of this community of athletes. Cheers to training and racing in celebration and as expression of what we can do. Gratitude for the motivation and inspiration you’ve all imparted on me as we’ve worked side-by-side. I look forward to the training and striving and testing capacity and percieved limits. I look forward to the start lines to come!
A Final Note
In the wake of compiling my Instagram post, I realized that I was missing an important piece: On the pool deck a few weeks ago, one of the women I swim with was telling me that she did not have access or opportunities to compete growing up and how she’s loved being able to watch her daughters embrace athletics in their high school and collegiate years. The conversation is what ultimately prompted the wheels in my head. And while I may not need to share the anecdote for additional context, it continues to strike me as a source of awe and impetus for appreciation of what I’ve been afforded to do.
As always, thank you for reading!
Please use the comments to share your own stories of inspiration, influence and awe. There’s strength in solidarity!
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Video and a Few More Pics
Rowing Related
Other Trip Favorites
Happy to see you and your team are doing well. I always enjoy reading your post. Good luck and stay happy and healthy. 🫶🏻
Thank you! This was a new group I raced with. It was a joy to meet so many new athletes, not to mention be back in an eight. I feel much more at ease on the racecourse with a coxswain guiding the way. Cheers to staying healthy and happy! Thank you for reading.