SLAP OF HANDS

There are many sports that are "team sports." Soccer, basketball, football, the list goes on. And I'll give them that yes they need a team to play them, but in each one of those sports the potential for stars to stand out is huge. Every one of those has individuals celebrity associated with them.
I believe one of the reasons crew has not gotten this sort of fame is because there is no room for stars. No room at all.
And that's why I love it. The word "team" takes on a whole new meaning. And it's not just sitting on that starting line next to some of the most prestigious crews in the nation, knowing that somehow all four of you aren't going to stop rowing until you're two thousand meters down that buoyed lane.
Team is finishing a test piece on the erg and turning to the girl next to you and slapping hands. No words, just a slap. It's the slapping of hands after Every Single piece day after day because you both did it. It's turning to that girl who has been with you stroke for stroke across millions of meters, having her look at you and remind you that what you just did was extraordinary.
Your time isn't taking you to the Olympics, heck it's not even getting you a seat in the boat for the weekend race, but what you just did was extraordinary.
It's extraordinary because you didn't get it for the spotlight. You did it for that slap of hands from a Teammate.
And that's why I row.