Photo by: Anna Leach
Callie at the Catch: The Beauty of Fall
October 19, 2017 | Women's Rowing
Making every stroke count
Whitewater, Wisconsin, native Callie Herbert is back and giving regular updates again this year from Porter Boathouse and wherever else rowing takes her and her teammates. A four-time swimming state qualifier in high school, the senior stroked the varsity eight to 11th-place at the 2017 NCAA Championships.
MADISON, Wis. -- The long sleeves and pants have been officially brought out as Wisconsin fall mornings become more brisk. The beauty of fall is that layers are essential in the sport of rowing because it's freezing the first 15 minutes, but usually after a few pieces it tends to warm up quite a bit. We like to take a de-layer minute. The other beauty of fall is witnessing the leaves changing color all down lakeshore path. There are already some stunning trees all red and all orange.
However, the changing leaves and the colder weather can only mean one thing: winter is coming. We only have a month left on the water, and hopefully that much, before we bring it indoors. So every day, every practice and every stroke is especially important now with limited water time. This is an advantage because we value our time on the water and get everything out of it that we can.
Another beauty of fall is seeing all the alumni that make their way back to Madison from all over the country. This past Saturday the class from 2015 got up early to come to the boathouse during our practice to stop and say hello. This class was seniors my freshman year and we were all so excited and surprised when they walked in. A few days before that, we had an alum who lettered in 1950-52 come visit the boathouse and watch us practice. It was incredible to learn about the difference between now and then, especially between the boats and oars. Back then, the boats were wooden, the oars were longer and skinnier and the coxswains yelled through a plastic megaphone. But even though our equipment is updated, the rowing is the same.
One last beauty of fall is the Head of the Charles Regatta and the 53rd year of this race will be held this weekend. Though we will not be racing there this year—we have some bigger and exciting plans in the future—be sure to watch out for our women's lightweight team and the men's team who will race this Sunday! Also, keep an eye out for three former Badgers who will be racing in the U.S. women's national team eight.
Go Badgers!
MADISON, Wis. -- The long sleeves and pants have been officially brought out as Wisconsin fall mornings become more brisk. The beauty of fall is that layers are essential in the sport of rowing because it's freezing the first 15 minutes, but usually after a few pieces it tends to warm up quite a bit. We like to take a de-layer minute. The other beauty of fall is witnessing the leaves changing color all down lakeshore path. There are already some stunning trees all red and all orange.
However, the changing leaves and the colder weather can only mean one thing: winter is coming. We only have a month left on the water, and hopefully that much, before we bring it indoors. So every day, every practice and every stroke is especially important now with limited water time. This is an advantage because we value our time on the water and get everything out of it that we can.
Another beauty of fall is seeing all the alumni that make their way back to Madison from all over the country. This past Saturday the class from 2015 got up early to come to the boathouse during our practice to stop and say hello. This class was seniors my freshman year and we were all so excited and surprised when they walked in. A few days before that, we had an alum who lettered in 1950-52 come visit the boathouse and watch us practice. It was incredible to learn about the difference between now and then, especially between the boats and oars. Back then, the boats were wooden, the oars were longer and skinnier and the coxswains yelled through a plastic megaphone. But even though our equipment is updated, the rowing is the same.
One last beauty of fall is the Head of the Charles Regatta and the 53rd year of this race will be held this weekend. Though we will not be racing there this year—we have some bigger and exciting plans in the future—be sure to watch out for our women's lightweight team and the men's team who will race this Sunday! Also, keep an eye out for three former Badgers who will be racing in the U.S. women's national team eight.
Go Badgers!
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