Winter Training Trip Provides Cardinals Chance to Grow On and Off the Water

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Every year when the calendar turns January 1, it's time to wipe the slate clean as everyone around the world begins a new year. Most people set goals for the new year or formulate a New Year's Resolution, and for the University of Louisville rowing team, it's no different.

NCAA rowing teams from around the country become "snowbirds" for a week during their college's winter break, as they travel south from their northern cities where rowing on the water has become problematic due to low temperatures or freezing waters. Each December the Louisville rowing team travels to Miami, Florida for its Winter Training Trip, which this year took place Dec. 29 through Jan. 4. The goals of the training trip vary slightly each year, but the constant underlying goals remain the same each year. The trip not only allows the team to get out on the water for training and development in the, usually, warmer weather, but it's also an opportunity for the team to bond through various activities. Not to mention, who doesn't enjoy going to the beach in their spare time!

"We spent the majority of the trip rowing in pairs which was very different than how the trip has been run in previous years," senior Victoria Goldin said. "The entire team participated in a pairs time trial, the first for our program. We also dedicated time to a leadership program, where we discussed various qualities of leaders and worked to identify leaders on the team. Overall, I loved my experience in Miami, especially all the work in pairs. I felt like it really gave us the opportunity to focus on our technique while still getting an intense workout."

"I'm really grateful that I was able to bond and get adjusted to the new team atmosphere a little more before the spring season started."

Novice Rower Kristina Snyder

For many members of the team, this was their first training trip. But for the members of the novice rowing team, it was one of the first opportunities be a part of a trip with the varsity squad. "I was a little nervous that I would feel really overwhelmed," novice rower Kristina Snyder said. "But I had so much support from my teammates and coaches which really made me feel confident that I could get through the tough workouts. I'm really grateful that I was able to bond and get adjusted to the new team atmosphere a little more before the spring season started."

It was also the first training trip for assistant coach Samantha Sarff who was hired in August. Sarff came to the 'Ville from Michigan State and prior to that, spent time at Clemson and Nova Southeastern. For her, it was the first time she had been to Miami for a training trip, but the impact of how head coach Derek Copeland and the Cardinals run their training trip was not lost on her.

"The efficiency in which we were able to practice and meet as a team and staff was awesome," Sarff said. "We maximized our time and were able to add extra layers to the training and development of the team, something you always want in a training trip. This productivity is a testament to director of operations Addina Tritle and her fantastic planning. It was so smooth and allowed the coaches and athletes to put our attention into gaining speed and working towards achieving our goals."

Sarff's biggest takeaway from her first winter training trip? "How important the training, technical progressions, and team development we had in the fall was and how well the team has continued to build upon it all. This is a special group of athletes. It's fun to see them grow and push their limits to be better each day."

For the coaching staff, the trip allows them to focus on specific training techniques on water. But, for the first time on a training trip, the coaches were able to have the entire team participate in pairs time trials.

"Pairs are two person boats that really help the rowers learn more about technique, rowing with others, and how to move the boat more efficiently," Copeland said. "Although we have had some ability to row these boats in the past, this year has been a great year for growing this area of our program. This year in Miami, we had everyone in the pairs daily and we were even able to have the entire group compete in a time trial a couple of times. It is a big step for the program to have everyone able to race in pairs and we are certain that it will help the team once we get back on our river this spring."

"The whole team participating in a pairs time trial really displays our growth as a program and the adaptability of the team. It is very rewarding to see how far this program has come over the course of my four years."

Senior Victoria Golden

For the team, it gave them an opportunity to compete in a different atmosphere than they're used to in rowing in a 4+ or 8+ boat. "The whole team participating in a pairs time trial really displays our growth as a program and the adaptability of the team," Goldin explains. "It is very rewarding to see how far this program has come over the course of my four years."

The goals each year for the team's training trip vary, but for this trip coach Copeland wanted to implement a new element, leadership training. The team came together several times to not only talk about what their team goals and motivations are, but as individuals, what each student-athlete can do to become a leader and help their teammates on and off the water.

"We didn't only row and enjoy the beach in Miami. We also used the time together to introduce more leadership programming," Copeland said. "We have always focused on the development of the whole person through our sport and it was nice to spend a fair amount of time sharing thoughts regarding leadership development and other team building skills. The team responded well to this and seemed to learn a lot about themselves and their peers. Since it went over so well, it's something that we will continue through the spring."

For Golden, it was an opportunity for her to reflect on what she can do better as a senior to help her teammates. "Personally, the leadership program helped me identify my leadership strengths and weaknesses, allowing me to work on further developing my ability to be an effective leader. My biggest takeaway from the program was that while it's possible that you may not see yourself as a leader, your teammates may in fact look to you as a leader. That was really eye opening for me."

For everyone involved, one of the most important takeaways of the trip was bonding as a team and coming together as one. With the first event of the spring quickly approaching (a Feb. 8 scrimmage at SMU), the team focused on strengthening their relationships with one another and unifying their vision and goals for the ACC and NCAA Championships.

"We focused a lot of time this trip on leadership development and team motivations," Golden said. "By dedicating time to talk about our different views on leaders and leadership qualities, we were able to create a profile of what a leader looks like specifically for this team. I'm very excited to build on the positive momentum we gained during this trip as we move into the competitive spring season."

Snyder echoed a similar takeaway from her first trip. "We had a lot of great conversations with the entire team about leadership. I think really helped all of us to be on the same page about the kind of culture we wanted to foster, as well as give us all an opportunity to take ownership of our team."

Regardless of the amount of training that took place on the water, the lessons learned from the leadership training, or how nice the weather was, in the end it's about the memories made with teammates and coaches over the course of the week.

"I'll remember the trip as a whole. It was my first trip with the Cardinals, and the team and coaching staff are great. They work hard, have fun, and want to be challenged. It's been a great environment to be a part of this year.

Assistant Coach Samantha Sarff

"I'll remember the trip as a whole," Sarff said. "It was my first trip with the Cardinals, and the team and coaching staff are great. They work hard, have fun, and want to be challenged. It's been a great environment to be a part of this year. From all-time 6k PR's, to leadership development, and having the entire team from novice to varsity racing in pairs, a lot of great things came from this trip."

For the newcomers and novice rowers, it was simply to be a part of their first training trip and be surrounded by their coaches and teammates. "On our last night of the trip, the whole team had a conversation about why we chose Louisville and why we row in general," Snyder explains. "It was really special to listen to so many different reasons to love the sport we do. I feel like I was able to relate with the team on a whole new level just by learning a little more about everyone's background."

But for the six seniors on the team, their four years of rowing at UofL will be coming to a close in May. This was their last chance to make lasting memories with their teammates who have become their best friends. "My favorite moment from this trip was jumping into the water off the dock with my fellow seniors," Golden says. "It's tradition that the seniors jump in on the last day of the trip and being able to participate after watching it for the past three years made my final trip to Miami that much more special."

For the latest on Louisville rowing, visit GoCards.com, or follow the team's social media accounts on Twitter @UofLRowing, Facebook /UofLRowing, and Instagram @UofLRowing.

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