On Sunday, October 6, BIAC members rowed a W2x and a M1x in the Open Water Rowing Center’s Angel Island Fall Classic. The 12.9 km course circled Angel Island with a start/finish at Sausalito Yacht Club. The clear day with minor currents and nearly no wind allowed the rowers to take in big San Francisco Bay views, from Mt. Tam and the Golden Gate Bridge to SF and the Bay Bridge.

After the row, competitors enjoyed lunch and a speech by Meghan Musnicki, 5-time World and 2-time Olympic Champion. She told the story of how she first discovered rowing (she was at her college gym, hoping to talk to the basketball coach about walking onto that team, when a rowing coach pulled her aside). She described how she was cut three times from the National team and then given one last chance, based on a 6K erg test. She also talked about her typical workout day, what it’s like to be sitting in a boat moments before a big race (“I love it! It’s what I worked for!”), and what goes through her head when she does erg work (“you are strong, tough, fit…”).

Thanks to OWRC for a great day and being so welcoming. Thanks also to Meghan for all the great info and stories, and for bringing her Olympic medals for people to hold!