I am going to be honest when I say I knew nothing about rowing at the beginning of my day Thursday, and at the end of the day I still knew nothing about it. But I did learn on warm nights like Thursday night the canal is packed with boats belonging to the Pittsford Crew Team.
Yesterday’s Crew practice was a special one. They welcomed a former member back to the canal. Henrik Rummel is a member of the 2012 Olympic Bronze Medal Men’s Four team.
He arrived at the boathouse around 5:15p.m. and for the next 45 minutes he met with members of the local media. He had a smile on his face the whole time. When he was done speaking with us, he went to meet about a hundred and fifty current Pittsford Crew members.
He stood up in front of them and said “I am here to answer any questions you have.” He did just that. Questions ranged from “how tall are you?” (6’5’ by the way) to “have you watched your gold medal race?" He told the crowed only twice, and that it makes him mad that he didn’t win the gold.
Rummel was very honest, saying that to get to a high leveling towing you need to sacrifice a lot of things. “The last year has been awful, except for the Olympics,” said Rummel.
He followed a strict diet, sleep regimen with not a lot of down time. But the hardest part he said was seeing his friends get cut as he made the team.
While he was speaking, his Bronze Medal was being passed around so the kids could hold it and get their picture taken.
When he was finished speaking it was time for pictures. There was a group picture with him and all the crew members, then it was time for individual pictures. All the girls lined up (who were all big fans of Henrik) to get their picture taken with him and the medal. He was more than happy to do it.
What a treat for the Pittsford Crew team today, and I am going to be honest it was a treat for me too. Rummel is a grounded young man and he has not forgotten where he is from. He is a role model and a darn good on at that!
Will Morgan, Photojournalist
