This past weekend, my team competed at the Long Beach Invitational at Marine Stadium. Although the regatta was unfortunately cut short by strong winds, the event was still incredibly fun, and I had an amazing time with my teammates. But as we packed up and left the course, something struck me: this was my last ever race at Long Beach.
Bennet Batram
Over the past three years of rowing, I’ve raced that course more than ten times. Long Beach was also the site of my very first travel race away from the Newport Aquatic Center. I remember my novice year, when I was still learning how to rig boats and figure out all the small details that go into racing. The varsity rowers back then were always willing to help my novice teammates and me rig and de-rig our boats. Their patience and encouragement made a big difference when everything still felt new and overwhelming. This weekend, I realized that the roles had changed. Now I was one of the varsity rowers, helping guide the next group of NAC novices and passing along the same knowledge and support that older teammates once gave to me. In a way, it felt like paying forward the legacy of the team.
Even in the short time we had to race, our boat showed what NAC rowing is all about. Our 3V and 4V were handily beating other teams’ top boats, including Long Beach’s 1V. At the same time, some of our teammates never even got the chance to race because of the extreme weather conditions. Despite that disappointment, they stayed positive and supported everyone else on the team. Watching that kind of attitude reminded me that rowing is about much more than racing.
What stood out to me most that day was the way the entire team worked together. Men and women, novices and varsity rowers alike, were all helping rig boats, load trailers, and clean up when the regatta ended early. It was one of the strongest displays of teamwork I’ve ever seen at NAC, and it made me proud to be part of it.
Leaving Long Beach, I felt a deep sense of nostalgia. It’s hard to believe how quickly these three years of rowing have gone by. With only a few races and practices left, I’ve started to appreciate just how many unforgettable memories, friendships, and life lessons this sport has given me. Rowing at the Newport Aquatic Center has taught me how to push myself further than I ever thought possible. Even more than that, it’s taught me how powerful it is when a group of people commits to giving their absolute best together. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of every rower in the boat pushing at maximum effort and crossing the finish line as one.
As this chapter of my rowing career begins to come to a close, I’m grateful for everything the sport and this team have given me. And just like the varsity rowers who once helped me when I was new, I hope that the example my teammates and I leave behind will inspire the next behind will inspire the next generation of NAC rowers to carry the tradition forward.
NAC Junior Rower,
Bennet Batram