Article January 1, 1999 ISSUE

Gliding on the water an amazing feeling

with contributions from Lauren Estevenin

For Lauren Estevenin, rowing is more than a sport. It's a way of life — something that helps her to more fully express herself. After many years of training and several competitions at the French national and international level, Lauren has won a full scholarship to Washington State University in Seattle. Here are the thoughts she shared with the Herald.

Herald: Why did you choose the sport of rowing?

Lauren: Because it's mainly a team sport. For me it's more fun to be with other people than being by yourself. As part of a crew, you have something important to do. They can't row without you. You're needed. I like to be part of a team.

Also, rowing gives you this amazing feeling. Like when we go training at 5:30 in the morning. Nobody talks in the boat, and there's not a single noise but the rhythm of the oars in the water. The water is flat, totally flat. The oars are pushing on it, and the sensation of gliding is really beautiful. I love gliding.

Herald: How did you get into rowing?

Lauren: We were in France. My mom wanted to row, and I went with her. Somebody said: “Your daughter could row with a crew. She's tall and would do very well.” So I started, and a coach took care of me. Then I started competing, went to a few national competitions, and then to a world competition last summer — the Junior World Championship in Austria. It's the highest degree of competition at my age.

Herald: Tell us how thinking from a spiritual standpoint is a help.

Lauren: Mostly, it helps with the fear. You can stay calm if you know you're not doing this sport for your own glory but for God's glory. Do you know the movie Chariots of Fire?

Herald: Yes!

Lauren: I love this movie. The hero ran for the glory of God, not for his own. And that's what made him win. Not that the result doesn't matter, but it's important to have a spiritual purpose to race for. I'm not happy if, for example, I have a gold medal and know I didn't do my best. But even if I lose, and I know I did my best and I did it for God — not to win or to show off — then that's what matters. And I'm happy.

Herald: It's the idea of reaching a higher level, of achieving a goal.

Lauren: Yes. And it's important not to be discouraged. There are moments when you feel like giving up because it's 0 degrees centigrade outside and your fingers seem on the verge of breaking. Or it rains, and there are lots of waves — and you get wet because the waves get into the boat. But this verse from the Bible has inspired me a lot at these times: “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31 ).

It helps the whole team if you feel good about yourself. If you're angry or scared, it has an impact on the whole boat. And the other people will probably feel the same way you do. But if you're happy, and you're nice to your competitors, then it helps the whole boat. It's so nice to row!.:)

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