Walking into The Boathouse (the practice facility for Marin Rowing) you’re immediately hit with a rush of energy. The sounds of organized chaos fill the boathouse, boats being hoisted onto shoulders, the thud of oars against racks, and the relentless hum of ergs upstairs. In every corner, there’s motion. Amidst the chaos and shouts of coordination, one thing stands out, a deep sense of community.
That energy doesn’t fade once the rowers hit the water. Out in the bay, they must share space with fishermen, kayakers, and even the San Francisco ferry. Navigating the crowded scene of the bay demands constant awareness. Even as the scenery shifts, the intensity stays the same, each boat moving through the water in unison.
At the heart of the success of Marin Rowing is leadership. Girls Varsity Head Coach Sandy Armstrong has been coaching for 41 years, though her connection to the sport goes back much further.
“I used to row for Redwood High School, and I also played soccer,” Armstrong said. “Then I coached at Tulane University for three years, and came back to coach at Marin Rowing.”
The amount of time she has spent on the sport shows that it’s more than just skill it’s about passion. Rowing is grueling, physically and mentally, yet rowers return season after season, hooked by something deeper.
“The feeling that comes from the effort is so good that it’s addicting,” Armstrong said.
Unlike most sports, rowing straddles a unique balance between individuality and unity.
“[Rowing] is super individual, but the ultimate team sport at the same time,” Armstrong said. “Every single stroke affects the team’s success in that moment; when you’re fatigued, you’re required to keep going for your team.”
Watching a practice or race you quickly see what she means. The rowers move as one, every stroke synchronized to the second. The boat gliding as if pulled by a single force.
And while many sports make it hard for newcomers to find their footing, rowing is different. Because of how much the teams success depends on rhythm, communication, and trust, rowers tend build close bonds fast. It’s not just about competition, it’s about team effort. Senior at San Domenico school Marlee Millstein, found this to be quite true when she joined recently.
“I joined my junior year, which is pretty late,” Millstein said, “but I just felt really welcomed by the girls.”
All the girls on the team share a large drive to be their best, making the environment such a unique place.
“[Its] also just such a focused environment,” Millstein said, “and because Marin is so good in order to achieve that status, we do difficult workouts that in the end are really rewarding.”
Inside the Boathouse and out on the bay, that bond is ultimately what keeps the team moving forward together, stroke by stroke.
