Picasso spent hundereds of hours carefully planning his masterpieces. The sketchbooks were filled with ideas, bits and pieces, test runs, none of it meant to be seen by anyone. In a similar way, rowing practices are our sketchbooks, where we… — Brad Alan Lewis Copy Share Image
Immediately upon entering the weighing-in zone, I sensed an oppressive tension in the air, the lightweights staring and glaring at each other, snarling like… — Brad Alan Lewis Copy Share Image
You need flawless balance on the recovery. You need white hot focus and the concentration to row square blades cleanly for seven miles. Smooth… — Brad Alan Lewis Copy Share Image
Unless you've also had some experience dragging around a boat trailer, [topping off the gas tank] may not sound important. But trailer driver's know: a gas stop can be a traumatic experience. You need enough clearance on every possible side. You can't cut the turn too sharp or you'll clip the gas pump. Getting back on the freeway can be… — Brad Alan Lewis Copy Share
The slow boat-I know it's the slow boat because I've been watching them for thirty-three weeks-won the first piece by a full length. Then… — Brad Alan Lewis Copy Share Image
Unlike boxers-or any professional athlete for that matter-rowers have little motivation to do it longer than necessary. With a modest amount of self-realization, you'll know when you have acquired the nebulous gifts that rowing has to offer, whether it's courage or a strengthened soul or a powerful body. Once you have it, drop back ten yards and punt. Someone new… — Brad Alan Lewis Copy Share
Like any good drug, anger can mask all reality. But anger is not an easy emotion to call up on demand, which is why an enemy is so wonderful. You're tired. Didn't sleep well. You have zero energy. Then you get lucky. You pull into the boathouse parking lot and see your favorite enemy. Celebrate. Your workout is saved. One… — Brad Alan Lewis Copy Share
Long live the elite rower's motto:'early to bed, early to rise, never meet the regular guys.' — Brad Alan Lewis Copy Share Image
One training device is the ergometer. I never owned one, never trained on one, and practically never used one. The few national team tests I took on ergs were dismal failures, which worked wonders to further my dislike of these beastly creatures. Boring. Tedious. Noisy. Ergs have greatly cheapened rowing. Graceless. Greasy. Grim. The erg is to rowing what having… — Brad Alan Lewis Copy Share
One of the unique aspects of rowing is that novices strive to perfect the same motions as Olympic contenders. Few other sports can make this claim. In figure skating, for instance, the novice practices only simple moves. After years of training, the skater then proceeds to the jumps and spins that make up an elite skater's program. But the novice… — Brad Alan Lewis Copy Share
Rigging is like Zen meditation. You must bend over the boat until your back is breaking, until your brain is filled with numbers and… — Brad Alan Lewis Copy Share Image
I led by three or four feet, with Biggy (John Biglow) surging closer on each stroke. I hated him in those last few seconds; he was the only reason my guts were being strewn over the water like an oil slick ... I pressed one last time, and looked at the finish-line flagman. In that instant the flag jumped down… — Brad Alan Lewis Copy Share
