Nabeschouwing Heineken Roeivierkamp - Samuel Power (EJZ)

“Okeanos, bouwe na NU!” 
You’ve been sitting on the water for hours, trying desperately not to bump into the myriad of boats around you. Everyone is counting down the time to the start, desperate to escape the cold and put their adrenaline to use. As you slowly continue making klapjes up the racebaan, it suddenly comes: “Okeanos, bouwe na NU”. Everything around you goes quiet as you focus on the first strokes of the race. The rate is climbing exponentially faster until you settle at a constant 40. The pain of the morning's 5000m race has faded away. All that matters now is dominating this 750m race. With four all-out distances, the Heineken is a long and intense weekend, but this final race is where you seal your fate. You feel yourself start to gasp for air as your heart quickens and your muscles start to burn. There’s not a thought in your head but KICH. From the bow seat you can see the perfect rise and fall of your teammates’ oars, the fierce desire behind each stroke. There’s a passion you can’t describe. After yesterday's 3rd place in the 250m the crew can taste blood and is hungry for more. Quickly the finish line is approaching and suddenly you’re alongside the grandstands filled with a blur of screaming onlookers. But you don’t see or hear any of it. All that’s on your mind is finishing. You put everything you’ve got into your strokes. You’re not rowing to be “decent”, you’re rowing for another podium finish. One last push and it’s done. Back at the dock, coach Sander smiles: “3rd” he says. And so, an intense, eventful, but unforgettable weekend with the team comes to a close. A new bar is set. After a deep sleep, the focus shifts to the next race — the Varsity.