Each has his past shut in him like the leaves of a book known to him by heart, and his friends can only read the title. - Virginia Woolf
Reflection on a Memorable Year by Rebecca Gutwin, '06
I arrived on campus in the fall having never seen a rowing shell, completely unaware that the seats even moved in the boat. It was interesting to arrive at practice every day and learn so much so quickly. Rowing soon became an enjoyable afternoon activity; the weather was nice, the team was fun, and the unique nature of the sport was intriguing.
In the late fall, we came off the water and were introduced to the erg, a machine I greatly despise for its passive nature while I self-inflict unbelievable amounts of pain. However, I loved finishing an indoor practice knowing that the more I put into each workout, the faster I would become. Due to my first semester schedule, I had to complete two out of five workouts every week alone. Without my teammates on the ergs around me during the hardest workout of the week, I learned the necessity of self-motivation as well as the remarkable value of a team.
My novice rowing experience was rather unique; over winter break, I was diagnosed with a rare form of breast cancer. I underwent two surgeries in January and missed less than two weeks of training, somewhat to the skepticism of the surgeons and nurses. I began radiation therapy in mid-March and continued competitively rowing, much to the disapproval of the radiation oncologist. Many didn’t understand how important rowing was to me; it allowed me to forget about everything else that was going on in my life and concentrate on something I loved to do.
By the spring season, the team had shrunk from 52 to 11 determined women. With races almost every weekend and a constant focus on our goals for the season, the end of the semester came and went extremely quickly. It was fascinating to see nine women with different interests and talents come together into one boat and row with one unified objective.
William Smith Novice Crew formed me into an athlete with a desire to push myself further than anyone believed I could, including myself. People say it’s amazing that I rowed through my cancer, when in fact it would have been nearly impossible for me to get through cancer without everything crew gave me. In my coach, I found not only a teacher and a listener, but a valuable friend. In my team, I found unique personalities and incredible people I wouldn’t have met otherwise. In the sport of rowing itself, I found a passion that I never knew existed and a perspective applicable to life I’ll carry long after I leave William Smith.
