A Day in the Life of a SCAR Athlete

If you asked me a few years ago if I’d ever become a rower, I probably would’ve laughed. I didn’t know much about rowing, didn’t have any experience, and honestly had no idea how much this sport would change my life. But becoming part of Seminole County Area Rowing (SCAR) has given me friendships, confidence, discipline, and memories I’ll never forget.

Here’s what a typical day looks like for me as a SCAR athlete.

Starting the Day

Most mornings start early. Between school, homework, and practice, you learn pretty quickly how important time management is. I usually pack my gear the night before because forgetting something like rowing clothes or water bottles can make for a long practice.

Even during the school day, rowing is kind of always in the back of your mind. You think about the workout ahead, upcoming regattas, and how your boat is improving each week.

Heading to Practice

After school, we head to the boatyard, and honestly, this is usually the best part of my day. No matter how stressful school gets, being around teammates makes everything better.

Some days we’re out on the water working on technique and timing. Other days are tough conditioning workouts, ergs, or strength training. Rowing is definitely challenging, but there’s something really rewarding about seeing yourself improve over time.

One thing people don’t always realize about rowing is how much teamwork matters. Every person in the boat has to work together perfectly. If one person is off, everyone feels it. When everything clicks, though, it’s one of the coolest feelings ever.

The Team Becomes Family

One of my favorite things about SCAR is the people. Spending hours practicing, traveling, and competing together creates friendships really fast.

Teammates become the people who push you during hard workouts, celebrate your successes, and encourage you when things don’t go your way. Some of my favorite memories are honestly the little moments before and after practice, road trips to regattas, and cheering each other on from the shoreline.

Regatta Days

Regatta days start early, but they’re always exciting. Everyone is focused, helping unload boats, getting ready to race, and supporting teammates throughout the day.

Racing can be nerve-wracking, especially before the start, but once the race begins, everything else disappears. You’re focused on your crew, your timing, and giving everything you have.

At SCAR, the coaches decide racing lineups based on performance, effort, teamwork, and readiness to compete, which pushes everyone to keep improving throughout the season.

There’s honestly nothing like crossing the finish line after a hard race with your teammates knowing you gave it everything you had.

More Than Just a Sport

Rowing has taught me a lot more than just how to row. It’s taught me discipline, resilience, leadership, and how to work through challenges even when things get difficult.

It’s also helped me build confidence and friendships that I know will last long after high school.

The best part is that you don’t need experience to start. A lot of us joined without knowing anything about rowing, and now we can’t imagine life without it.

Join the Crew

If you’re thinking about trying rowing, do it. SCAR is more than a team — it’s a community that pushes you to grow, supports you through challenges, and gives you experiences you’ll never forget.