Competitive in Rowing

Deerfield Academy’s rowing program has seen a noticeable shift in size and intensity this season, as athletes and coaches observed a larger roster and more competitive training environment across boats. 

According to Boys’ Rowing Head Coach Mr. Spencer Washburn, interest in rowing has steadily increased across campus, as he pointed to both the program’s recent success and the experience students have within the team as contributing factors. “There has been an increasing interest in the sport over the last few years,” he explained. 

While some athletes have perceived a rise in competitiveness this season, Mr. Washburn sees it differently. “I have seen an upstick in interest and sign-up numbers, but I think that the level of competitiveness is consistent with previous years,” he explained. Instead, he described a team made up of students with varying motivations. “There are many members of the program who have high ambitions for themselves and the team…There are others who want to be part of this experience. This combination is leading to the sport’s growth.”

The program itself started relatively late in the school’s history. According to Boys’ Rowing Assistant Coach Mr. Morris, rowing did not exist at Deerfield until the 1980s, when students pushed for its creation. “It began as a student initiative,” he said. In recent years, the program has expanded significantly. Mr. Morris described this year as having one of the largest participation since he began working with the team in 2016-2017. “We’ve never had so many boys come out for the squad, and we’ve never had so many rowers on the water,” he said. Where the team once fielded “barely six boys fours,” he observed that there are now “a full six boys eights rowing,” with additional athletes training on land due to limited boat capacity. Moreover, Mr. Morris added that the increase in participation reflects the program’s accessibility. “This year marks a high-water mark for accessibility and inclusion,” he said, crediting Mr. Washburn for maintaining what he described as a “philosophy of keeping rowing open to anyone who wants to try the sport.” 

At the same time, the larger roster has introduced new challenges. Mr. Washburn explained that as the team grows in both size and ability, determining boat lineups has become more complex. “We have more people of comparable ability on the team, which means there are more who deserve the opportunity to row in any given boat,” he said. Coaches must weigh “fitness, technique, compatibility with others, and racing ability,” making lineup decisions increasingly difficult. 

For student-athletes, this environment can feel more competitive, especially at the top levels of the team. Senior Captain Rob Callender ’26 described how the increase in numbers has intensified competition for both rowers and coxswains. “The sheer number of kids makes it pretty competitive,” he said, noting that some athletes’ aspirations to row in college can raise the stakes further..

The role of college recruitment, however, remains limited in shaping the overall culture. Mr. Washburn acknowledged that “it [college recruitment] likely plays a role,” but emphasized that it is not the primary motivation. “Rowing is a hard sport and to be part of the team for more than just a season there has to be a love for the sport,” he said. Additionally, he explained that the program aims to be “transformational, not transactional,” with students investing in their development and in the team. “Not all of our students will row in college, but they still want to be part of the team…for all of their Deerfield years,” said Mr. Washburn. 

Callender reiterated this idea from a student perspective, noting that while some may begin rowing with college recruitment in mind, keeping that effort requires deeper motivation. Without that, he said, “it’s going to be really hard…to find fulfillment in it, to ultimately do really well.”

Newer members of the team also experience this balance between intensity and inclusivity. Helena Katska ’28, a new sophomore, described the team as a place where athletes can approach the sport with different goals. “Some people take it very seriously…and some people just do it for fun,” she said. “Everyone has their goal in this sport.”

Another central priority for the program is maintaining accessibility, even as interest grows. “We remain committed to the idea that rowing is something that everyone should have the opportunity to try,” Mr. Washburn said. At the same time, he acknowledged the challenges of balancing a wide range of abilities and ambitions, calling it “tricky,” but supported by coaches and student leadership who aim to keep the team “a welcoming and inclusive place for everyone.” 

Despite the increased pressure in certain areas, several team traditions and culture remain consistent. Callendar described moments like cheering for other boats during workouts as creating a shared sense of purpose. “4V makes 3V better, 3V makes 2V better, and so on,” he said. Katska mentioned smaller traditions, including the “evergreen jacket,” a jacket given to a  member who displays best team spirit, “Fun Fridays,” and informal moments such as dancing in the locker room during warm-ups. 

Beyond daily practices and competition, Mr. Washburn added that team culture remains a central focus of the program. “The culture of our team is a priority each season,” he said, noting that while some athletes bring results oriented goals, the program consistently values “commitment, discipline, the ability to receive and implement feedback, and a willingness to push yourself.” 

Looking ahead to the season, Mr. Washburn defines success less by race outcomes and more by the quality of student experience. “I think success looks like students having a positive experience because of their participation,” he said, pointing to relationships as key factors. While early indicators from training are promising, as Mr. Morris noted, performance on the water will ultimately determine results. As participation continues to grow, the program strives to balance accessibility, competitiveness, and a team culture shaped by a wide range of goals. In Mr. Washburn’s words, “we all have an obligation to leave the team better than we found it.”