Three Skadi members to compete in world’s largest rowing race: ‘It really is a dream’

Skadi rowers Bea (22), Joris (22) and Sweder (21) will compete in the Head of the Charles in Boston next month, the world’s largest rowing race. What started as a hobby has grown into a sport for which they train at least ten times a week. “Rowing has made us much more disciplined.”

While many people are sleeping in on Sunday mornings, the trio have already completed a training session. Every weekend – and during the week too – the students spend hours on the water, preparing for their biggest race yet.

Dream

With their rowing suits still slightly wet, they look ahead to the event. Do not expect complaints about their many training hours, but rather pride and excitement about what is to come. “It really is a dream to be able to go”, says Beatrijs Schipper, known as Bea, describing how she feels.

The Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston is the world’s largest rowing race, with more than 12,000 athletes and 300,000 spectators. “Only eight men and eight women from across the Netherlands are allowed to compete each year, so it’s really great to be able to take part”, Joris Dullens explains how special it is.

Bea will compete in the women’s eight, while Joris and Sweder will take part in the men’s eight. Their training schedule is demanding: they train ten to twelve times a week, for one and a half to two hours at a time, often early in the morning. They also do strength and cycling training each week. “It’s really intensive”, Bea agrees.

Progress

The psychology student could never have predicted that she would one day compete in such a race. “When I joined Skadi, I was not planning to row – I really came for life at the clubhouse. At some point, I realised how much I enjoyed rowing. I started doing it and kept going”, she reflects.

It is particularly the progress she makes that appeals to her. “You keep getting faster and fitter: rowing has made me mentally stronger. Sometimes it’s really windy, or cold and wet, but then I push myself and give it everything. I get out of the boat feeling very tired but proud.”

Close bond

Joris, who studies Business Administration at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, had always wanted to go far in rowing. “I lived in Amsterdam and regularly cycled past the Bosbaan, where rowers were training really hard. I saw it and thought: I want to do that too. In every sport, I have the ambition to finish highly and rowing is no different. The social side appeals to me too: we have built a close bond because we train together every day.”

Sweder van der Kwaak, who has just started his master’s in Financial Economics, also began rowing in his first year of study. “It just seemed fun to do: the competitive side of it, but also simply being active. You’re in the moment and do not have to think about anything else for a while – that is what I enjoy most.”

Motivation

Every weekend, the trio travel to a different location to prepare for the race, from Amsterdam to Wageningen. They do this because the boat includes members of clubs from across the Netherlands, and like this they can accommodate every club.

Rowing in a different place in the country every weekend requires a great deal of effort, which the students are happy to make. “All competitive rowers have the same mindset and motivation. And when things get tough, you motivate each other to keep going”, Joris says.

In the meantime, the three still have to study, of course, but they say they manage that just fine. Joris: “We often train at 7am, before our studies begin. It’s early, but I’m happy to do it because you know what you are doing it for.”

Perseverance

Sweder thinks his studies actually go better because of his efforts at Skadi. “You learn to manage your time effectively. If I had all the time in the world, I would put things off – now I force myself to get on with it.”

Rowing has also made Bea more disciplined. “When I have to get up early for my classes, I think: if I can do that for my boat, then I can do it for university too. You simply have to do it, so you do it – rowing has taught me to persevere.”

Title chances

That spirit will also be needed in Boston, where Bea is working towards the race with a positive but realistic outlook. “We’re starting in one of the highest classes and, as a group, we’re still quite inexperienced. Of course, we hope to break a record and row towards the top, but it will be difficult.”

Joris and Sweder are more optimistic about their chances. “We’re aiming for at least a place in the top three. I think we have a good team and can make a strong impression”, Joris says confidently. Whether their dream will come true will be revealed from 16 to 18 October, when the race takes place.