One of my friends asked…. “Why do you pay so much money and spend so much time running around for your child to row?” Well, I have a confession to make: I don’t pay for my child’s rowing, per say, but what do I pay for:

– I pay for those moments when my child becomes so tired s/he feels like quitting but doesn’t.

– I pay for the chance that s/he may have amazing coaches that will teach him/her that rowing is not just about a sport, but about life.

– I pay for my child to learn to be disciplined.

– I pay for my child to learn to take care of his/her body.

– I pay for my child to learn to work with others and to be a proud, supportive, kind and respectful team member.

– I pay for the opportunity that my child can have and will have to make life-long friendships.

– I pay for my child to learn to make and accomplish goals.

– I pay for my child to learn to deal with disappointment, when s/he catches a crab, has a bad race or otherwise doesn’t meet a goal.

– I pay for my child to learn that it takes hours and hours and hours and hours of hard work and practice to achieve these goals, and that success does not happen overnight.

I could go on but, to be short, I don’t pay for crew; I pay for the opportunities that rowing provides my child to develop attributes that will serve him/her well throughout his life and give him the opportunity to contribute to the lives of others.

Volunteer. Donate. Mentor. You will only regret it, if you don’t give it a try.

Stuart Crew. Rowing Strong for 50 Years.