ursula grobler

2012 Calendar -ORDER NOW

2011-12-13T13:45:00.000-08:00

I have put together a really fun calendar that I'm hoping you will enjoy as much as I did taking the pictures, making the memories, and now sharing them with you! This calendar contains my wonderful travels in America, South Africa & Netherlands, and rightfully added are the national holidays of those countries! Spain, Luzern, New Zealand are also included!

Attached are a few sample pages of the calendar. Its a normal sized square calendar (12 inches x 12 inches) (30cm x 30cm).

Price is $37.00. Pay on paypal with credit card and I'll get this in the mail to you right away!

Also up for order is my first go at a little booklet done is a light-hearted drawing, journal-like theme to encourage interaction through learning about nutrition. This is my first writings and one day when I have published a few books, which is my goal, you will look back at this first pdf book download and laugh at the small beginnings we all need to make before we can soar!

More about my paleo winning pdf nutrition booklet for download here : http://paleowinning.blogspot.com/

Rowing With Laurien Vermulst

2011-12-11T13:46:00.000-08:00

Today I had the great honour of taking some strokes in the double with Laurien Vermulst.

Laurien was among one of the first women to experience the introduction of Lightweight Rowing, and further more, the first entry of the lightweight women double scull event into the Olympics. Her coach, Ans Rom Colthoff is connected to the South Holland Talent Center where we are training and so the threads of great dutch sculling is woven thick. Further more, Laurien raced a great a race in the 1991 Vienna World Champs against New Zealand sculler Philippa Baker. I had the great pleasure of meeting Philippa at the Billy Webb Challenge that I rowed in last year after the 2010 New Zealand World Champs. Philippa named Laurien's boat, Kia Khaha which is a Māori phrase for "Be Strong". Hillary got the hnour of rowing in the boat for the camp in Belgium and for racing in the Hell of the North in Groningen, which was cancelled due to high winds.

I just love how the stories interview and touch down on us so many worlds apart. Rowing really is a small world.

If you have a european isp you can view the race here >>

Silverskiff - Torino 2011 - CANCELLED

2011-11-06T02:27:00.000-08:00

Well how about that. The race that didn't race. In 20 years it had never been cancelled, and this is the year.

We arrived on Sunday and was immediately immersed into the course with the compliments from the Cerea Club launch and our wonderful host Vittorio Soave (the man who started the Silverskiff). This 77 year old is filled with vitality and logistical persistence. And a heart filled with love and dedication. As the week progressed he treated us to lunch, dinner, another dinner and a movie showing of their voyage rowing from Torino to London; a 1500m feat.

I rowed and mapped the course daily in the Cerea Club single, and enjoyed the calm water. It was in direct conflict to surfacing weather reports mapping out disaster. I felt this was impossible, and a false weather report (who believes the weather reports anyway.) However rain came. Then an update that we were now racing on Saturday. Filippi boats were to be arriving on Thursday, and in true Italian style, arrived Friday!

Friday was rigging in the rain. Went out for a row in the rain. And then rigging again in the rain, and dampening cold. The first boat rental from Filippi didn't work for me. Luckily there was another boat available. However 4pm now, Friday- race tomorrow. This has got to be training in overcoming adversity.

Saturday morning I went out early for a row in the other boat just rigged late last night. There were gushing river inlet flows. I left the last 500m as my cherry for later that day's racing. On my way back a Police vehicle were riding alongside the course. Funny how I noticed that, when I don't usually see the cars driving by. I guess a sense of something to come. Back to the hotel, and resting waiting for my start which would come at about 1:20. Then it happened: an email from Hillary: race cancelled. And indeed on the Silverskiff site, there it said: Race cancelled, determined by the Police.

Well, later we walked over to the course to scoop out what cancelled looks like. Walking umbrella'd under pouring rain. Looking over the course, it didn't seem that bad. And knowing that I had rowed it that morning... it wasn't that bad. These guys should come row an NSR on Mercer sometime! So now you had people scrambling looking for earlier flights home. Then Enzo came by and said, we are going out at 2, want to join us? Now Enzo and I battle paddled each other earlier the week. So I was up for the challenge. Just had to check in with Filippi if I could keep the boat a little longer. Yes, with a beer in hand, they would wait for me. So at 1:15, little earlier than scheduled, we embarked. I was not quite geared to race, no stroke coach and garmin, so estimated by time as 45-46min. There were a ton of tree branches. One branch that was perfectly in a v-shape hooked my skag caused a complete stop and backing and swerving to dislodge it. I guess I didn't have the difficulty of steering around competitors, but the tree branches gave me something else to overcome in fall head racing style.

So that is my Silverskiff report 2011.

I have some more photos here: Flickr

Silverskiff Web

Mystro

2011-10-10T22:04:00.000-07:00

Handswaving clearly describing

Elegancein fingers combined instruction

Thebeauty of the motion

Thebreathtaking glide

Absolutesimplicity

Coachto rower, to race, to victory.

--6/27/07 10:11 PM

Regatta Blues

2011-10-10T22:03:00.000-07:00

White deck constant

Whitedeck constant

Ontop

Spiderwebs of linears

Arms,legs, shafts

Crisscross

Intertwine

Extendand contract

Onedges

Waterreacting to

One,Two, Push off.

--6/26/07 09:18 PM

Training

2011-09-30T22:07:00.000-07:00

Aweek change

Inthe training

Resultingin

Beatup

Bruisedand thoroughly

Usedbody

Muscleslaced with

Weary

Justbehind the eye

Tired

Butthe mind

Unchanged

Weekafter week

Thegoal stays the same.

--6/25/0710:20 PM

"Come Together "

2011-09-17T12:18:00.000-07:00

At 16, I was drowning out my teenage angst by blasting Bush's Sixteen Stone. It got me through some pretty tough and dark times. More than 10 years later, I saw Gavin Rossdale in concert, live, right there, in person, and it was awesome. He was so animated and connected with the crowd. I felt like I could get a sense of him, as if I knew him. Feeling this connection through the distance of a stage and rock-band persona was memorizing. The real thing can not, CAN NOT be beaten. The influence that these guys had over me, makes me realise the connection we have as human's to each other. I recently watched a Lindsey Vonn documentary. She spoke about a woman downhill skier she idolized as a child saying one day, I want to be like her. And now she is; even better I would argue.
You never know when you could be that platform for someone else to jump from. But only if you be the best you can be and build your own platform to perform on can that happen. Life is but a stage and we have our part to perform our finest hour.

Vote for America Rows to help them win a $12,000 grant

2011-09-15T09:57:00.000-07:00

Vote for America Rows, the diversity and inclusion program within USRowing, to help them win a $12,000 grant from the United States Olympic Committee.

All you need to do is vote on Facebook by clicking on the link below. First, "Like" the USOlympic Team site and then vote in the USA Grants tab for America Rows. It's simple.

http://usoc.kickapps.net/_USRowing39s-America-Rows-Program-USRowing/video/1625274/193981.html

Right now, USRowing is in second place. We need your votes to ensure we win the grant.
Voting goes through midnight Sunday, September 18 and you can vote once a day.

The full message link here: >>

A Goal

2011-09-12T10:19:00.000-07:00

"One should strive for infallibility without claiming to have achieved it." —Malebranche

Tipping Point

2011-09-03T12:37:00.000-07:00

A brunt of buoy smacking madness in my World Champ final places me in 4th. I am without the fulfillment of racing my race like I did in the semi. Just one race too soon I had the best race of my single career. And then one race too late, making such a mistake is painfully unlucky... And I laugh thinking of Gary Player's comment: "The more I practise the luckier I get."

I am thinking that the boiling point, or tipping point must be approaching. With just a few changes, a sticking attitude and good training environment, the point is tipping.

Finally - the final. Broke through the semi-final ghost

2011-09-01T07:48:00.000-07:00

12:27 LW1x (Lightweight Single) with

Canada

Brazil

USA

Great Briton

Switzerland
Germany

World Rowing Live

2011-08-31T03:55:00.000-07:00

World Rowing Live

Row2k Coverage: World Championships Photo Galleries - World Championships - Tuesday Boatyards

2011-08-31T03:49:00.000-07:00

Row2k Coverage: World Championships Photo Galleries - World Championships - Tuesday Boatyards

HEAT ONE DOWN

2011-08-28T11:12:00.000-07:00

Made it through to the Semi-Final on Thursday. The girls are fast and ready to go. So will I, be ready.

The Entries are UP!

2011-08-21T22:00:00.000-07:00

Check it out, the Entries are up: http://www.worldrowing.com/events/2011-world-rowing-championships

Here is the schedule for the racing : http://www.bled2011.org/en/event/programme.htm

The challenge of fundraising continues

2011-08-19T04:27:00.000-07:00

The lightweight single is a non-olympic event. That means that USRowing will not fund any part of this opportunity to go represent the USA in a World Championship Regatta. The cost is $3550.00, and that's airfare, NOT INCLUDED!

Ways you can contribute:
1. Paypal (on line)
2. NRF (on line and mail in cheque)
3. Full Email Campaign

National Rowing Foundation (tax deductible)
Mark the boat selection as LW1x and it will be used towards my fundraising efforts.

Or by cheque to:
payable to: National Rowing Foundation or NRF
mail to: National Rowing Foundation > 67 Mystic Road > North Stonington, CT 06359
memo: LW1x boat class

Thank you to everyone who voted in the BMW athlete voting poll. The results will be announced at the end of August. If you would like to still vote, or view the results here is the link >http://www.bmwusa.com/performanceteam

Funding Elite Rowing – a conundrum by Mike Sullivan

2011-08-19T04:20:00.000-07:00

As I continue to fund raise, some interesting thoughts have been shared on the google groups of rec.sport.rowing. One post that came from the dilemma's of funding was posted by Mike Sullivan. You can read some of his thoughts here >. Carl Douglas also comments on this thread

His first post on the subject went a little something like this:

The US elite program is sadly dysfunctional, and the biggest problem is simply money.   Masters' Nat'ls are happening in Okla City right now, you'll see old slow farts like me there with millions of dollars in spending money for shiny new shells, top of the line hotels, air travel, fine wining and dining. In the meantime, a year ago I helped a few elite men over the winter with their training in sculling, and they put together in a pair to race at the Speed Orders in Princeton. These guys were Stanford grads with the potential to make a lot of money in real jobs, smart guys, and absolute athletic studs.    They had the presence and look of pro athletes that could be making millions on a pro team, or could go out and work in Silicon Valley and make a fortune by the time they turn 30.     They scraped together
money from parents to travel, and from working part time (good jobs but part time), and even then
they had to scrounge for a pair to race in at Princeton, I believe it was a 6 year old Wintech from Yale. They got moved four times in a year and a half to uncertain rowing futures, chasing wherever the nat'l program, coach, and other athletes were supposed to train and have found it very difficult to see where their long term path to success is. No I didn't get paid for coaching them for that 4 month period, but I
get offers all the time from Masters' people who want individual lessons, get them ready to go butt-slow over 1k. My response was, "no I don't have time to coach you or any other masters, but would welcome you paying me to coach our US Olympic team candidates". I would take that money and chip it in to their travel anyway, I don't need the money.
If I sound bitter, I am...   :^)
The Graves bros trained on their own in Newport the last year.   It's possible they got some help from the Newport foundation, I'm not sure, but they won trials, are going to Bled, with very little support from the US rowing community.   Bless them but their road was difficult in ways that had nothing to do with simply the training and racing.
Ursula Grobler might be the single best rowing talent in the US, and perhaps the best chance the US has for a gold in rowing outside the women's eight.    She's gotten some great help here and there, Rebecca has been doing good,   but has been bounced like a pinball, been scrutinized to the Nth degree, criticized, and exploited.   If she were making a pile of money like pro athletes, then some of this scrutiny might be warranted, but she's scraping the bottom like every other elite.
The poor ppl at the local club that have to deal with me.   A guy told me he had $5k to spend on a new
single.   "what should I buy?".
"you should buy a $2500 Maas 27 and give the other $2500 to the US
Rowing Foundation toward the nat'l team effort".
Then I shrug. I suppose he could raise $10k, buy a used Empacher for $5k, and give $5k to NRF. That would be cool. When I coached out of Newport years back, there were just beginning to be some guys who had singles that wanted to keep them in the rather limited one bay boathouse.    My rules were
simple.   You can have a spot, give us a little money but I'm going to give your boat to use by an athlete who has nat'l team aspirations that cannot afford his own boat. I'll pick the guy, there'll only be one, and these are the hours where he will row it, and he can negotiate with your schedule
for additional hours.
We insured the boat, and my boatman fixed all dings no matter who dunnit.
Most boat owners liked that arrangement and accepted it,   Not sure if I'd find many takers these days if I did that again. Sort of a commie act, I guess.

I want to append the rant with the following.   I know some masters are offended deeply by my attitude,
clubbers in redwood city see my attitude as 'elitist' and get bothered by some of my advice on boat
purchases, I've seen it here.   I should point out that I teach hundreds and hundreds of new scullers, adults and kids to scull at two different clubs.   In the past three weeks I've introduced a dozen adults to sculling, treated them with the same respect I treat elites, taught them all the same things, the
exact same approach and discipline to boat handling on and off the water I expect of a competitive elite.
My attitude is peculiar, but is definitely not elitist.   I've spent too much time with raw, old, out of shape, unconfident, uncoordinated non-athletes who really want to learn to scull, and learn to scull correctly for me to accept that criticism.

Help Send Me to Bled for the LW1x!

2011-08-07T03:31:00.000-07:00

USRowing Senior Trials

On the 4th August at 8:20am I raced in the Senior Trials to secure my spot on the 2011 team. The racing took place on Mercer Lake in Princeton, NJ and the calm waters welcomed me. Thunder and rain the night before left me wondering what dawn would bring. And by dawn, I really was up at 4:30am to see what winds there may be. As a lightweight, our routine starts early. Two hours before the actual race we need to present ourselves to the officials and stand on a scale. 130lbs (59kg) and no more. Making weight is the first part of the 'race'. The second part comes when you launch 40min before, row to the start line, and wait for the call-down. Ms Goldsack, Ms Grobler, Ms Daley... Attention... Holding my breathe, the sound of the buzzer catapults me into a sudden preoccupation with speed and power. Jen Goldsack is from the UK. She holds dual citizenship and raced an unbelievable race in 2007 and got a silver medal for the USA. Watch this great race here >
Our commonwealth commonness gives me a sense of home when I hear her talk. But today, its all on racing and who's bow ball will signal the ending siren first. Down the course we go. My start was a little flimsy. Ok, not what I wanted I mustered, but move on, and move down. Correct. Yes. Light. Legs. These words circle stroke after stroke gaining me momentum that put me ahead. "Final Results in the lightweight women’s single sculls, Ursula Grobler (Pretoria, South Africa) won her race in 7:51.41." Results sheet

On land again, I read over my form that says, Well done, now pay up...

LW1x

Lightweight Woman Single Scull

Help me

get to Bled and back...

Herein starts the dilemma: The lightweight single is a non-olympic event. That means that USRowing will not fund any part of this opportunity to go represent in a World Championship Regatta. Not only do you train all day, with little income, you must also pay $3550.00, and that's airfare, NOT INCLUDED! A starving athlete plight, I ask if you could please consider a pledge, cash, donation, moolah, quid, $dollars, £pounds, €euro's and/or Rrands to help give me the chance to race in this World Championship Regatta.

Paypal donations here

Or Tax Donations by cheque to:

payable to: National Rowing Foundation or NRF
mail to: National Rowing Foundation > 67 Mystic Road > North Stonington, CT 06359

Note:
The IRS does not permit us to accept tax-deductible gifts on behalf of an individual athlete but we are able to accept donations to your BOAT CLASS. Please be sure to ask donors to mark the memo line of checks 'LW1X' or, if donating online at www.natrowing.org to check off "Other" in the gift designation box and type 'LW1X' in the space provided.

King 5 TV Channel Tomorrow at 5pm News

2011-07-26T21:44:00.000-07:00

Today Allen Schauffler from King 5 News interviewed me, and Dave was on the camera. The story will air tomorrow on the 5pm News Slot.

How Fun?! Allen and Dave endured my entire 20km workout on the water around Seattle. It started with the rain, and grey clouds looming (this is Seattle right?!) but the rain cleared for us, and made the morning quite beautiful. The story aired one year to go towards the Olympics and here is a link to the story > The long, strange journey of Ursula Grobler

Watch the interview clip here >

Racing in World Cup III - Luzern

2011-07-18T15:34:00.000-07:00

If I were to make a soundtrack to Luzern, it would go something like this: cowbell, cling, cling-cling. Cling-cling.

The beauty of the place was escaping, meaning the task of racing seemed pleasurable. Sweat runs were dreamy, along the lake and tourist cobbled streets. Dark chocolate was really dark, 99%, and made for a great treat to look forward to after racing. Helvetica signage neatly architectured above the buildings made me smile. And seeing fellow athletes from Spain was great to catch up, as everyone keeps on the journey, believing.

Here is a race-recap>>
Friday morning:
We lost our heat today. Tough draw with Canada, winners from last year. Placed second to them. Only 1 through to semi from heats. We have another chance to race in the reps tonight at 6:24 to get through to the semi tomorrow. It means an additional race making the weigh-in process tomorrow morning a little more tricky. It's my first time going through the reps. But nothing on this comeback is easy and yet everything that comes in our way makes us stronger.

Friday evening:
Tonight we raced the reps at 6:25 instead of 6:24. The delay was caused by us. And it was a comedy of error that luckily had a happy ending. With 5 minutes before our start, waiting for them to call us into our lanes, I noticed my port oarlock making more noise and my pink oarshaft was moving around alot. Oh no, the white elastic holding my oar in place had come in place. Calmly, but desperately I'm trying to slip the loop over the hook. I'm crushing my fingertip and I'm hearing the announcement for our heat. The white elastic falls into the water. I see it sinking and I grab. Got it. Ok I can't do this on my own and we row to the umpire boat. Abby calls out we have a technical issue please notify the start. The umpire is with spanner trying to slip the elastic. Then he opens the gate and it brings the hook closes and I slip in on. Thank God! Abby and I motor to the start, 'USA lane 3'. We connect with the stake holder and barely line up when the country countdown begins. I look at the lights and confused the red line is not on. What the? Then I see the umpire above in the start tower with flag over head. I hear his voice: Go! I jumped. But something is missing. My seat is between my legs! Oh no Abby I cry out. Crashing blades, Abby patiently instructs me: get back on your seat. I grab it, put it under my butt, and pound ferociously down the course. Abby says, we are back in the pack. But I can still see boats around me, and I'm not settling. I'm going. On the 1000m I'm starting to see boats away from me. Inches. France is starting to move. Abby is determined they will not gain on us. I'm finding power and rhythm in the head. We come into the last 500m holding. We won the rep. A rainbow bowed above us from the rain we warmed up in. Rowing from the rain to the sun Abby said.

Saturday Semi:
Leading for the first 1000m, we were off to a good start. Then the third 500m, the boats picked up speed and we stayed at the same pace. We put our energy into legs, power, but still the boats came and unfortunately, we placed 4th. That pushed us into the B-Final.

Sunday:
Our B-final we met our friends from the Netherlands, and the Kiwi's. We raced a better rhythm, but our start out us in third and third we held all the way down the course. A result that was bitter-sweet and many lessons to go from. However, team-mates Julie and Kristin made history by placing 3rd in Luzern thus holding the highest points in the World Cups. The USA Lightweights have some great momentum going!

Bicycle and Boat

2011-07-03T22:55:00.000-07:00

There are only two ways to experience Holland: By Boat or by Bike.

Training in a rowing shell most days, I'm confined to a 2km course of the Bosbaan, so not much tourism there. But on the Amstel River the channels allow the pleasure boats, powered by petrol, to come out when the sun shine. Its a traffic jam like typical highway at rush -hour and near-mere crashes. We got the experience this on Fran's power-boat and cruised the channels while eating grilled chicken breasts cut in squares for easy finger bites. Potato salad made with a tahini-dill mayo (no actual dairy used) and large grilled veggies like broccoli and zucchini with garlic.

Or early mornings allow rowers in their singles to wonder the Amstel. I ran along the river while Frans rowed. I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of single scullers out there. It had the feel of Seattle, where many row for it power, grace and beauty.

The other way is by bike. The bikes litter the streets like plastic bags. Buckled or bent, wrapped or locked around fences, bike stands, they come at me like people with distinctive personalities. They come at me when I'm driving too, so better to bike than drive. More Amsterdam bike portraits >

I remember a college mate, Nic Grobler, who did a bicycle portrait project for South Africa raising money for the underprivileged. Really nice photos and videos of his work can be seen here > www.bicycleportraits.co.za

Tshirts designed through JL

2011-07-03T22:17:00.000-07:00

Walking in the crowd at the Holand Beker, I saw a familar t-shirt! The grey JL swirl Seattle skyline print. The man said he bought it in Denmark and enjoyed it, since he had visited Seattle before. He was delighted when I told him, I was the designer for this shirt and through the partnership with JL allowing me the canvas of a tshirt, I get to see my print worn. Look out for for designs and tshirts as well as the more pattern-black/white prints known as the shwe-shwe line originating from my South African heritage. More Pictures on the JL Gallery.

BMW High Performance Team - PLEASE VOTE

2011-06-29T05:33:00.000-07:00

What a great opportunity I received when a representative form the BMW who is an official US Olympic Committee sponsor called and asked if I would consider being part of this voting for one last spot on their high performance team. In rowing, as an amateur sport, this is great publicity and I hope, moving the sport into a highlight for sporting events. The filming of the regattas is really making it nicer to watch with great close-ups of the rowers over the long 2km course.

Here is the link to follow on casting your vote:
http://www.bmwusa.com/performanceteam
Its between me, and cyclist and a wrestler.

BMW Performance Team: Ursula Grobler

2011-06-29T05:25:00.000-07:00

Please vote for me : here

The outcome of 2 days at the Holland Beker

2011-06-29T05:17:00.000-07:00

In two days Abby and I were put to the test with the best. It was to our luck in nature that the e-coli breakout in Europe caused top crews to seek an alternative regatta to the second world cup in Hamburg, Germany. Great Britain, The Netherlands, Canada, and USA-2 (racing as LUC "Lake Union Crew") met on the Bosbaan in Holland in the W2x -Yes we all went 'heavy'!
Day one, Saturday June 25th > the weather was 'Seattle' at its best. Rainy, grey, cold, damp to the bones kinda thing. Abby and I took on the heat with angst. One lane next to us paced Canada (the World Champ winners) and on the other side, GB (multiple World Cup winners).

First time racing in the new line-up of Abby in stroke position, set us off the line with too much excitement. Almost, a false start by us as the red was like a green. We were ready to go! Quick adjustment to actually wait for the green, hold blades and off we went. The rhythm of Abby was energetic and sent us down the course building every 500m. We finished just behind GB, and Canada behind us. In four hours we would meet again for the Saturday final.

That afternoon, we lined up again, and added from other heats was The Netherlands crew and the Danish true openweight 2x. The rest of us were all LW2x crews. This time we were ready for the green and got off to a better start. Through the race our pace, expectations, speed was amiss. And GB, Canada and the Netherlands finished ahead. Home with a fourth in the final meant we might lose our housing with Frans Göbel, who is known as a racer to win!

We awoke to Sunday where we were scheduled for three races in 2 hour gaps. The schedule updated and we had a heat, top 2 direct to final. We lined up with mostly Dutch club crews and this Denmark openweight 2x. This 2x and me already met in the warmup area where the chaos of when to go and what lane to be in, did not match, resulting in stink eye from the blond bow girl. In the warmup you need to stop when crews are racing, and you have one lane up, and two lanes down, but one of the lanes down you need to not use, unless you are clearing a crew, or doing a piece (I thought).

So here we sit waiting for the green, Denmark to the right of us, and the Dutch crews all to the left. This Denmark crew was ready to kill us. They took us on the first 500m, by a lot. We knew they would. They did it all yesterday. So now we get to work, and take on the rest of the 5min of the race. 'Moving', I yelled. 'Moving' again, and into the last 500m we had them just on bow ball. But they took first and split seconds later LUC.

Abby and I went to recover and restructure and reframe what we wanted. In four hours, at the final, we made it clear that we are on our way to making our comeback. We had the fastest first, second and third 500m, over GB, Canada and the Netherlands. It came down to that last 500m, and GB pushed through us in 250m. We took a silver in the Sunday finals. Full Results here >

On a side note, there were a lot of South African juniors racing. It was great to hear the SA accents and talk to the development coaches. There was even a girl from my highschool there! Go Willowridge.

Making a difference

2011-06-23T05:07:00.000-07:00

Following on Nell's blog post,

"

Pizza... And Cookies? Seriously?

I don't believe it. As if frozen pizza or toll house cookies weren't awful enough on their own, now they're available in the very same box, so you can defrost/ reheat both at the same time and enjoy together.

It's as though consumers are just throwing their hands up in the air and showing how little they care about their bodies, shrugging their shoulders and shoveling in thousands of calories of pure, 100 % NON FOOD.

How on earth can anyone, aside from Nestle, who is sure to make a killing (both literally and figuratively) on this think this is remotely a good idea!

We've GOT to work collectively to teach EVERYONE all about PALEO!! Start with yourself and lead by example- PLEASE! "

I commented with this:

We have a little spirit in us that asks us to donate to charities, causes, be more aware of the environment etc.. In times when we do, we feel amazingly good about ourselves and even a sense of peace. So have you considered that when you buy food, you actually either do just that. You either donate or destroy. The book by Barbara Kingsolver called Animal, Vegetable Miracle describes this concept well. But briefly, if you pay a little more for the organic, if you do a little extra effort for the local-farm produce you are making a huge difference by showing your purchasing power and you are on track to paleo living. Can you imagine if we all stopped buying these pizza/cookie mixes. These processing, packaging-focussed companies would be forced to make a change. They are only selling to market demand. So by not showing interest in these things we can make a change. I don't have have financial resources to donate to the charities I would love to support, but I have to buy food. So when I do, I consider that I'm combining these two things. And I'm telling these big corporations who just don't give a damn about what preservatives and toxins they use in the food, or how addictive the outcome can be, leading to obesity (which then can be another profit market for more pills or programs) that I'm not ok with that.

There was a person walking on a beach who came across all these starfishes that had been washed up on the shore. There was another person picking the starfish up, and tossing them back in the ocean. This walker said, there are so many here, you are wasting your time. You can't make a difference here. This other person picked up another starfish, tossed it in, and said, to this one, it makes a difference.

Staying Paleo while eating out

2011-06-08T10:51:00.000-07:00

Last night, we went to this awesome restaurant, called Cicchetti on Eastlake, Seattle. At first it would appear really small by the standards of a restaurant, but I loved it, feeling like a guest in someone's house. It was so social, and I didn't feel like I was being served. But rather as if I was part of a process, of tasting and sharing. The seating allowed us to sit at the bar right in front of the chefs and we watched them cook, and chat. A feeling of collaboration. Like they had something to show us, and share their talents with us. Each dish was unique and nothing felt mass-produced. Each plate they adjusted and talked about, 'add a little paprika' I heard the one chef say to the other. The freedom to asses each plate with individual touch was refreshing. Like a showcase piece and we as the audience were the enjoyers and the tasters. I felt our reactions were part and parcel to the feedback the chefs were looking for. A very interactive process.
But on top of this integral eating experience, it was super easy to stay on top of paleo choices at this restaurant. The starters were perfectly without grains, legumes or dairy. Almonds, raisins and dates, or beets and fennel and olives in red peppers. Salmon on butternut pieces... and the portion sizes were perfect. Dessert was even coconut ice-cream. We walked out with a dining experience while continuing on our paleo lifestyle. Setting us up for good sleep which will follow with good training in the morning.

My Rowing World - a Teenage Obsession

2011-06-01T20:14:00.000-07:00

As we were putting the double on the racks after morning training, I thought about my life as is, with training being my job. But its even more than that; its my obsession. In a way like a teenage stage, when everything depends on one focus. Whether that's the latest song, love or breakup. Nothing else matters. At the exclusion of everything else (mostly parents words). And your young lived-life depends on it. That's how I can get about rowing. And every stroke, of every practise.
Then my age, and hopefully with it, some maturity, I take a deep breathe and remember that everyday, in every way, goes a long way. Scott Gault said once he could see who were the athletes who have been around for a while. They are not roller-coasters, but more steady. A certain confidence, that even when they have a bad piece, they know they are still good, and one bad piece does not a shitty rower make.

But in this sport, where we are all so passionate, we get wrapped up in every detail. A fine balance between. Therein the magic.

FYI - I was misquoted

2011-05-19T17:40:00.000-07:00

Image from Miranda July

I have been so misinterpreted and misquoted that it seems comical to me at this point. But it does hurt, because I do aspire to be a role model. I ask if I could please see the written before these articles publish, and they won't. Then I'm left with being ostracized with criticism for someone's interpretation of what I said. The one writer said my father died, when it was my mother. That's how it got published. That's how bad misquoting gets!

So I'm said to have arrogance and no humility because that's how writers are portraying the story. I ask did you listen to me in the interview with Sean Wolf on Rowing Illustrated? That was me, and that was my reply to the 3 medal challenge and my voice on my intentions with raising rowing awareness in the US for all the athletes, and trying to get the Lightweight girls a place to come together and train. And leave a base where future lightweight girls can go to and aspire to.

Rolling Illustrated Radio Interview

2011-04-28T19:50:00.000-07:00

Change your practice times

Tonight on Rowing Illustrated's "Hour of Power" Ursula Grobler, the most talked about woman in US Rowing in 2010, learn about her last year, her plans for going forward , her World Record on the erg, her diet, the future of lightweight women's rowing, her olympic dream and more. Wolf and Ursula have a candid conversation that you don't want to miss.

Site is www.FTNS.co. (No m). Also an app for it.

This Friday at 7 pm eastern standard time

2011-04-21T09:36:00.000-07:00

Today's press release on USRowing

Rough water out there. I think Mercer wants to show off to Karapiro. So maybe Dawney won't need to. My bow number 64 came bouncing down the trial time as did everyone else. As Kalmoe said, it's going to be good racing out.

If looking for my event: W1x

NSR 1 2011

2011-04-18T19:16:00.001-07:00

NSR 1 is upon us and I'll be racing in the open single (W1X). The entries and results will be posted on this site called Regatta Central: Regatta Central

Follow results and more details here : USRowing

This is the first step to make the USA National Team. I remember when I came to Elite Nationals the summer of 2008, the first time I raced on Mercer; I was so excited that one day when I got my citizenship that I could row here to compete to make the US Team. I still have that chill of excitement.

Rowing Illustrated Boards will have a post race interview.

My USRowing Bio

Photographed by Mike Powell for Outside Magazine

2011-03-24T13:14:00.000-07:00

Outside Magazine called and asked for an interview. I was totally shocked and delighted. But the interview was only the start. When I was told there would be a photographer sent out, I was blown away. I had the honour of being portrayed by Mike Powell. His work with athletes is phenomenal and if you look at his site, you will see what I mean : Mike Powell Photo.

The article should come out in June, so have a look for the issue. This is fantastic to get rowing more into the public eye. There will be some interesting comments from my triathlon background to rowing.

The staff of the OKC Boathouse Foundation also need special mention. Thank you so much to Sherry Andrusiak for taking care of the public relations aspects. The whole day was really fantastic experience as a sports person in an amateur sport.

WOW, is all that is left to say!

Moving to OKC

2011-02-24T13:44:00.000-08:00

Once again the black Audi took a drive. Just in early February it went 20 hours from Seattle to San Diego. Now the Audi took 20 hours (more or less) bound for Oklahoma City; and hoping this is where it would settle.

Passing on Route 66, it was fun to engage in the American culture that I had seen on TV.

With the help of Greg Williams, the drive went quickly, and I even got to introduce him to Country Ham at Cracker Barrel. A Kentucky tradition I have come to cherish from the Steers/James family. Yes believe it, even Cracker Barrel can be Paleo with ordering eggs and country ham. The cured-ham has loads of salt, so not the bestest lean mean source. Just ask for no toast and hold the hash-browns. Then go get a salad somewhere else to get your greens in!

Once in OKC, I settled into the apartments called The Lincoln. Very nice modern town homes. A truly empty space that begged to be filled. An empty canvas that sent me running around to Target and Gordmans (a great cheap, fun furniture store) and then online to Anthropologie and Sierra Trading Post. My essentials started with a cast iron pan. I didn't even have plates or forks. I got paper plates and plastic spoons to start with. And sat on the floor in an empty living room. Then Lee came to town and helped me with a little more furniture. Table and Chairs. What a luxury. Thanks Lee!

The Lincoln only held me for a little while before I moved to another apartment complex called Isolda Belle. The pool is what it's was all about. A little further out from training, but the quaint 70's-built place has a charm of its own.

Next on my exploring of OKC was grocery shopping. I would go from practice to exploring where to buy food, to practice to where to buy food. My google maps was on overload. Unlike anywhere I have lived, grocery stores seem to be on the back burner in this city. And Walmart does not count as an option! However little diamonds on the dust cloud emerged like the OSU-OKC Farmer's Market on Saturdays. The buffalo meat there, perfect and the free ranging, all natural whole chickens simply awesome! The guy who sells the eggs is a treat to meet. And the mushroom guy fascinated me with what was inside the cooler. The variety of bags with dark green leafy things (kale) was just fabulous and made me smile.

Then I found some other fun grocery stores called Akins, Health Food Center and this crazy carpeted store called Crescent Market. All great, but definitely break the bank kinda-places. There is a Whole Foods on its way. Good but still Whole Paycheck right?! A Trader Joes in OKC would be the bomb! In the meantime, waiting for the spring to bring on more farmer's markets that will help sustain. Then just last week, I was introduced to Super Cao Nguyen Chinese Market. I saw kinds of yams that I had never seen. Coconut Yam! So amazing the exploring of food and its cultures! Yet it is researched that most American's spend the least amount on food and would rather buy cheap food than fashion. A website launched called This City is going on a Diet highlights that change is needed and recognized in OKC. (yay)

Restaurants in OKC have also come to surprise me. Most noticeable the 105degrees that not only serves the most interesting juices, but offers culinary classes that I'm dying to take. It's vegetarian meaning nothing is cooked above 105 degrees. I assume that's Fahrenheit. Then the Melting Pot, a beloved place in lower Queen Anne, Seattle also resides in the bricktown area of downtown OKC. There is a Keisers that serves buffalo burgers. (to make this Paleo just take out the bun, ask for a big lettuce leaf!)

As the days passed so to did the finish tower progress. The comforts of the Devon Boathouse now more known, and the staff faces now known to name. The routine settled. The wind comes and goes. The testing tornado siren moans on Saturday afternoons. And this is how life at OKC passes. Check out the official website:
http://okc-nhpc.org/

Skiffhead

2011-02-07T22:33:00.000-08:00

Frans Göbel was awarded as the King, and then since he kept on winning, he was crowed the Emperor of the Amstel! This race takes place in Amsterdam, on April 3, 2011. If you are looking for a head race this would be a great one! Check out the site, and email skiffhead@gmail.com if you have any questions. I loved my time in Amsterdam when I raced the Kings Cup. So Amsterdam and the rowing scene comes highly recommended!

http://www.skiffhead.nl/

Thank you JL-gear Buyers!

2011-02-03T09:01:00.000-08:00

Thank you for buying this crazy-cool beautiful JL gear.
I know it meant a lot to you to be able to support me. We will create some more designs and open up the team store again. Be sure to write in the comments feedback, what you liked and didn't, want more of or less.

I appreciate it !

I hope you feel fast when wearing the shwe-shwe stuff.
I hope you feel special and comfortable. Cause that was my intention to give back to you!

‘Baie Dankie’
(Thank you in Afrikaans)

Launch of new training gear with JL Racing

2011-01-16T17:26:00.000-08:00

When I first met with Joline and Ken from JL Racing, it was Spring of 2009. I remember from our first meeting, Joline said we want you to design some of your own garments. Being a designer, I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Joline kept talking about this blank canvas, which did intimidate me a little in the beginning. Especially because this is clothing, fabrics, 3D stuff, where my realm is 2D, web page graphics, business cards, logos, brochures. I started with some simple stuff, doing the standard custom template tools that they offer on their site. That was the beginning of learning how things come together. It also started teaching me about the fabrics, how it stretches and moves, and then when you use certain fonts, how they display from far, and how far should you wrap around the back before your arms start cutting of the design. It seems simple, but their is a definite visual area that we see on our clothes, and where to place key elements of the design. As the year went on, I got to put together a few items, each one showing a period I was facing. At the end of the 2010, Joline encouraged me once again, to really design something unique. I had an idea from a silkscreen I created a while back. And with the introduction of a new fabric from JL called Thermoroubaix, the black and white gear emerged. Now a name for this gear?! In July I went to visit my family in South Africa and there was talk of 'shweshwe'. It was a term used my the indigenous Xhosa people for the sound of the long skirts made by the women who came from Europe. The term is now applied to unique African-looking patterns, and so I thought this was rather fitting.

I got the opportunity to talk about the gear, and my racing in New Zealand and Paleo nutrition arranged at the Seattle JL Team Store. And now the gear is available on line, and you are order it from this link!
Ursula JL Team Store
JL Newsletter

What a way to end and enter 2010-2011!

Looking at Frida

2011-01-14T20:27:00.000-08:00

I went up to Frida in Banyoles at the World Cup I, 2009, and said the typical fan statement, "I love your rowing." I continue to watch videos of her as I'm learning in the single, saying I hope to row as well as she does one day. Frida's win in Eton, and then again in New Zealand shows her strength and tenacity. Here is a video of her and to hear her speak her native language is kinda special, because she speaks english so well. (And never mind watching her take those good strokes, even in the windy conditions!)

Video of Frida

Travelling Long Distance on a plane - tips to get through

2011-01-02T17:41:00.000-08:00

1. Pack your own food.

I have a little blue cooler that I take on as my second hand luggage option. Make sure there are no liquids in anything, even a salad that has a dressing to avoid TSA suspicion. I pack baggies of carrots, celery, cucumber, asparagus, deli meats (look for no-nitrates), apples, nuts, dried fruits. I cook some yam slices, and make kale salad. I take egg whites and a little olive oil mix, and even enjoy a whole green pepper and eating it as is. Pack a little dark chocolate too. Nice to have some treats also. Also make a little pesto or dipping sauce for your veggies. It will make eating them more enjoyable. I once packed baby food and applesauce. That's fine too, but make sure its the small containers.

Having your own food to eat on your schedule is so helpful. And having fresh veggie snacks makes that when you do start eating out of boredom, that its good eating options. At layovers, its so nice to have your own food, then you are not left at the mercy of the airport foodcourt, which is both too expensive and far from fresh.

I once had a TSA person tell me I can't take this food through. I told her I'm allergic to a specific preservative and need to take my own food in else I will starve and die! Ok, dramatic, but it worked. When In your final destination, They might make you discard the food before going through customs. But still you want to be sure to pack enough food.

2. Pack an empty water bottle. Once through security, go fill it, and make it a goal to keep drinking water. When on the plane, don't be shy to ask the attendants to fill your water bottle instead of just a little glass.

3. Request a special meal : Gluten-free meal. Anything helps. But try to skip the rice and rice cakes. You should be ok with having your food, and not feeling so ravenous to eat everything on that tray.

4. Keep taking your vitamins and fish oils. Keeping to your schedule as much as possible helps to get the recovering going again as soon as possible.

5. Take Melatonin. Helping your body to sleep is so helpful. If I could only but sleep through the whole ordeal that would be great. However a little sleeping aid is useful.
6. Move on the plane.

I find a space, at the back of the plane or in the isles, and I will do 50 Air Squats, or lean against the sides and do a push-up. But Mostly, just stretch.

7. Have a pair of your own headsets. The plane's headsets are always awful and you can't hear a thing. There are nice movies on board and you wanna be able to hear the conversation!

Christmas in South Africa

2011-01-02T15:39:00.000-08:00

A wonderful gift from the Smith family suddenly put me on a plane to South Africa over the Christmas period. I have not had a sunny Christmas since I left SA in 2003. A very long flight, but now direct from Atlanta to Johannesburg (~15 hours) after another 4 hour from Seattle to Atlanta, and I was seeing stars. But I followed some of my routines when flying, that I will share with you on the next post and it helped me not be completely useless.

This was the first time my parents did not help me buy the ticket, so I decided not to tell them I was coming and make it be a surprise. I was re-introduced to my dad with a miley-cirus wig on and big glasses as cousin Gary's new aupair just in from America! You can see he was bowled over with this arrival who looked strangely like this daughter!

From there time was spent running around the golf course while dad played. He finished the 18th with a beautiful birdie claiming 'tiger woods would buy that putt off me'. Then I stepped outside my comfort area and went mountain biking at the Cradle of Humankind. But didn't want to repeat the Alan Campbell saga where he started 2010 in SA with a mountain bike injury sending him to hospital! The following day I went mountain biking in and around Rivonia. I was happy to end the ride on road, going uphill. Delon and Jon close on my heals! Hills are my friend!

I had some fun doing circuits in and around the house, finding tree branches as pull-up bars, outside benches as jumping boxes etc. I hope to compile a video soon of the sports. Will post on my youtube channel.

I also got to introduce the paleo cooking to the Smith family. I left Nell Stephenson's Paleo Cookbook behind as a gift and changes are happening. Uncle Robert already has gone through the kitchen declaring 'most things in here are inedible!'

Christmas day was perfectly as I remember. Mom made a fantastic trifle. A little sherry soaked finger biscuits, red and green jello, custard, nuts and cream. Boxing day was also insuit of tradition, spending the day on the day, doing watersports. Not including rowing, unless floatation devices went array, but on the snake and the wakeboard making its appearance.

Little time left now, so sunny days were spent running around the LC Divillars sports grounds, at the University of Pretoria, and I got to train in the new HPC Center (High Performance Center). Guess what it had: 2 of the Aussie made Indoor Sculler. Not quite as smart as the RP3. But it got me through a good piece. All of the SA rowing team seemed to be out of town so never got my fingers went with a boat on a dam and the team.

Coffee with friends and my dear athletics coach, Mrs. Erasmus was also good time. Drove the street of Lawly looking at Christmas lights. Went to the Rhino and Lion park seeing the animals dear to the South African landscape. And there was a wonderful wedding in this whole trip too! Congradulations to Nikki and Grant!

Back in Lake Stevens, WA and the wonderful 28 deg Celsius has dropped to -7 deg Celsius. Rowing in this cold made me grumpy in the beginning. Now I'm adjusting, fast. Time to get going!
More photos on Flickr

Billy Webb Regatta

2010-11-18T11:00:00.000-08:00

Terrific photos taken by Rob Bristow on Row2k of the race : here

And here is a link to a tv3 sport news story that went to air following racing : here

The race was hosted by Rob Hamill. He has a very special story and is making a film that I would recommend you review:

www.brothernumberone.co.nz
www.robhamill.com

NEW ZEALAND - Strongly familiar, but slightly off

2010-11-03T18:45:00.000-07:00

I guess from landing and hearing English at the airport, summer in November, seeing cars drive on the left, rugby commentary and netball courts, the country felt like South Africa. I felt a familiarity here easy to connect with.

The task at hand was the Rowing Championships and flags all around town noted the presence of this event. The tv channel is dedicated to showing and talking about rowing all day. And suddenly our sport takes a spotlight like ESPN basketball, baseball or football. However every now and again, there is an off beat, where you become aware that this is a difference place and not exactly as you know. Perhaps in the little cars, or the slight word with that kiwi accent. And this brought to light how I felt our semi-final go down. There was a feeling that we were rowing, but something was off. And Abby and I didn't quite connect and set in a rhythm that we needed. To not make that A final was crushing. I woke up this morning, feeling like a funeral. Feeling like my best friend had died. Hearing the interview with the New Zealanders at the course today talking about their victory over us was hard. But as I know all to well, it could be the flip side and to win means also accepting this defeat. We have a B final tomorrow to stand up to, and then a smashing quad race on Saturday that is still a privileged to row for and row with these strong USA rowers.

Row2k Coverage: World Championships Photo Galleries - US Senior National Team 2010 - LW4x

2010-10-18T13:16:00.000-07:00

Row2k Coverage: World Championships Photo Galleries - US Senior National Team 2010 - LW4x

USRowing Gear

2010-10-06T21:59:00.000-07:00

We got our box of USRowing gear after the final 2 at trials. As I unpacked the tights, long sleeve, tracksuits, jackets, I felt a sudden rush seeing the USRowing logo, and the red, white and blue color scheme. I felt a part of a team, and process and a dream. We are looking good!

There are some team and supporter sites for more gear, if interested:

Athlete store: http://teamusa2010.boathousegear.com/
Spectator store: http://usasupporters.boathousegear.com/

Then some more support shirts designed by Anna Goodale look like this:

Kinda cool.

Found GT Dave's Kombucha

2010-10-06T19:40:00.000-07:00

Today we stopped at Fred Meyer to use the Chase bank, and instead of our usual Trader Joe's stop, we just thought we would pick up a few things here. Getting our leaves and banana's, I stopped by the fridges to get coconut milk. And there is was, on the shelf, my beloved multi-green flavour!

Racing at Trials

2010-10-04T19:11:00.000-07:00

The thing that really struck me from Jet Li's movie, Fearless was when he talked about competition. His challenger came to drink tea and asked why compete. There they were, the two of them drinking tea, calm and relaxed, when over the next days they would be fighting in an arena, to death!

Well Jet Li's answer to why he competes is something I take to heart. He said that only in competition do we get the opportunity to bring out the best of ourselves. I remember something Nicole Sylvester once said. Something about how training, and rowing and competing defines our character. The things is, when I put myself on the line, it generates so much awareness. I feel so fortunate to have this awareness about myself. With changing to paleo, that brought about an extreme awareness of lifestyle. With studying graphic design, it makes you look at every sign, trying to identify the font and leading. And now with rowing, to be so aware of your body and mind connection.

Trials went sort of to plan, with one thing gained and another lost. A loss to Julie Nichols and a crab with 700m to go in the quad.

My Final-2 was in tail, and I didn't move the boat with the momentum needed for those conditions and for this competitor. I took a short lead in the first 500m, but Julie pushed back. I felt her even with me, and then I felt her push off me, and this day, couldn't catch her. Feeling a little despaired, my Bellingham Bandit team mates waited for me at the dock. I did feel like I had let them down. However, no time for that because in 20min we had a race. We lined up next to the strong-orange Hudson LW quad. Captain Kristin speaking for us counted off the start strokes. All going down the course, gripping oars for death in the rough water. Suddenly, there is Kristin's port oar right next to me. I looked over and thought, this is not possible. Kristin yelling, keep rowing. A clashing of oars, and I'm still thinking, how do I knock that oar back to her. Can I row with three oars? Kristin surged forward and suddenly we were off. In this crabbing session, I saw the other boat feel the sudden adrenalin of trying to take lead advantage of our misfortune. But within 10 strokes, we were out front again, and crossed the line first to send that quad to New Zealand!

Row2k news

LW1x - 2010 USRowing National Team Trials - Final 2

2010-10-04T18:53:00.000-07:00

Casper Rekers (Inventor of the Rowperfect and RP3)

2010-09-27T18:06:00.000-07:00

This is how I remember Cas when I met him at the Holland Beker earlier this year. I made the drive out to Hardenberg where he lived with his wife Wily. The house was inventor-like meaning function and form beautiful. Cas and I worked on the RP3 and I got to see the great inventor at work. Wily graced us with playing the piano and was recovering well.

I got to row on Cas's own personal RP3 and he said big brother is watching. Cas and Wily also took me to their club and showed me their beautiful wooden boats made by Carl Douglas.

Wily and Cas laughed with me as they played some old records. We sat outside and drank tea and talked about various topics. To have had this opportunity to spend this time with Cas now holds even more precious. Finding out today that he died while rowing at his club was really heart-breaking. Carlos who spent many hours with Cas, in person, on the phone, on skype and through email has taken this news to heart and yet remains even more motivated to encourage the use of Rowperfects. After calling Frans Gobel, who encouraged me to keep focused on my my week of racing and with Carlos and Bandits team-mates racing continues here at Mercer Lake, NJ, and I remain calm and positive.

I look back to my first rowing lesson with Carlos, where he put me on the Rowperfect, and this is how we built my dream to be more achievable. With the Rowperfect I was able to learn the rowing stroke quicker. I was able to catch up to other rowers who had been rowing since they were 14! I could isolate and understand better all the aspects of timing, catch, acceleration, applying leg power, drive and finish. Yes we win on the water and not the erg, but certain aspects of rowing, like rigging, boat balance, weather and wind make it hard to learn the good boat feelings and understand the technical aspects needed to win.

I thanked Cas for changing my life, and now he is with me on every race, and every RP3 session.

Here are some links for Cas
His rowing club
Carl Douglas
NL Roei
Cas Rekers's page on facebook!

www.rowperfect3.com

The Gift of Traveling

2010-09-10T21:51:00.000-07:00

I have just gone through my parent's photos of a world tour to the modern seven day wonders they won. Their photos were so spontaneous, it made me smile and feel as if I was taking them. Traveling is such a gift. I remember driving by the Johannesburg airport and getting chills just because of the hope that one day a plane would take me somewhere new, to experience exciting things. Now as a national team athlete, traveling is something that needs to be managed. Almost how little damage it can do to your performance, instead of something to look forward to, it has a mindset of a necessary evil. And sometimes, you go to these places and you are like a CEO, except instead of boardroom to hotel, its rowing course to hotel for us. We are about to embark on a fantastic journey to New Zealand. And I'm excited for the opportunity to race. And then to experience tourism. On a conceptual level, it reminds me to keep that beginner, intriguing and wondering mindset. That its not just another day. That this day there is new opportunities and new things to learn and experience and feel, in training and traveling.

Mt Baker Training 2007

2010-09-04T21:02:00.000-07:00

Missing Kombucha

2010-09-03T13:51:00.000-07:00

I'm hoping to see GT Dave's Kombucha bottles back on the shelves soon. It was always a highlight point when going to the Co-op or Whole Foods and picking out which flavour I felt like today. Guava goddess and the multi-green are my favourites. Guava, just because that fruit is so South African! This little fun bubbly bottle is so beautifully designed in packaging that I'm holding on to my bottle using it as a regular water bottle. The contents always made me feel like I was cleaning out my body. A real refreshing something special. GT Dave updates his status on facebook, so check it out.

I guess the story for the recall was that actress, singer and model, Lindsay Lohan was photographed holding a bottle of Synergy Kombucha, and then her alcohol bracelet went off. There are small trace amounts of alcohol caused through the fermenting process of the live tea cultures and the longer the bottle sits, the amount that the alcohol increases is unknown. Whole Foods is the major player here, that pulled the bottles off their shelves. A briefing on the story here >.

Shopping at Safeway - Reading Labels

2010-09-01T21:08:00.000-07:00

I went shopping at Safeway last Sunday and felt exhausted at the end of the trip. Not being the usual place I shop, I really had to take my time and read all the labels. I just don't understand why there needs to be soy in tuna cans? The other ingredient I saw popping in alot of the almond milks and coconut milks is carrageenan. I see its a seaweed extract. But I have asked Nell Stephenson to check into this. She said she has emailed Dr. Loren Cordain himself. So I'm waiting for the answer. I really like shopping at Trader Joes and the Co-ops. Whole Foods and PCC are great too, but clear out the account quick.
With food labels, here are two easy rules for you to remember:

If you can't pronounce it, don't buy it
If it has more than 5 ingredients, its way too processed and I would leave it on the shelf.

What Paleo means to me

2010-08-29T21:55:00.000-07:00

When I started Paleo, it was a hard transition. Only through the help of Nell Stephenson did I manage to make the change in mindset. She asked me to read the book, The Paleo Diet Athletes. I was a little overwhelmed by it. Not quiet understanding what I was reading. Nell did a kitchen clean out, and shocked me with what she threw out. Then I remember buying the food on the list she gave me, and with a kitchen full, I still had no idea what to eat. I always have a sandwich for lunch. Now I can't eat bread, so what do I eat. It took me a while to figure out I just eat the things inside without the grain outside. It was so complicated in the beginning. I always have cereal and milk for breakfast, and now neither will do. So what do I do? And changing the habit of buying food was another onslaught. I would view a food buying experience as once a month thing. Now with all the fresh produce Nell had on my list, I had to go once a week at least. This seemed like hard work.

I remember driving to training one day, pondering this paradigm shift and feeling like a horse with flappers on all these years. Suddenly I saw blue sky for the first time. I started to understand what Nell was trying to tell me when she said eat real food. I realised how much marketing had lied to me. How in my degree of design, packaging made me buy foods that I thought was good for me. Later on the readings of Michael Pollen were so pertinent here, when he said the more the box says this is good for you, the more its not. While the real good things for you, he writes, sit quietly on the produce shelves with no packaging at all.

Another big turning point came when I watched the film, King Corn, learning about how vicious corporate America is. And that I have to step up on what I'm buying and eating. That these food scientists and magazines that tell me what diet and things to eat, they don't have a clue!

I deepened my journey with the book by Barbara Kingsolver, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A year of food life. Although this was not strictly Paleo, it taught me that only in food consumerism can we really make a difference. If we keep buying meat from feedlots, they will never change. If we keep buying banana's that have traveled more than most families ever do on vacation, we will never encourage local farmer's markets, or even better, growing our own little vegetable garden.

Now after almost three years of Paleo jounrey, I have learnt and felt the following:

It is so simple to do, that it looks complicated, because we can't wrap our minds around it. For example, dessert can be just a few grapes. But our tv tells us dessert needs to be some baked thing topped with ice-cream or custard.
Paleo is not a diet. It is not the new Atkins, or South Beach. It is not new research where wine at dinner is now good for you, tomorrow new science research says its not. Paleo is founded from our caveman days. What we were meant to eat. Yet the science is there supporting this is what our bodies need. Nothing processed.
Our western diet all went haywire the day breakfast cereals came to the table. Before the 'convenience' of this boxed food, we were cooking real food that looked like food.
Eating is supposed to be shared, enjoyed and a very social thing. I always felt irritated that I had to eat and sleep. Now I have come to prize these very two things!
Changing to Paleo does you good, and does the earth good. Its such a great way to just be a better person. You run clean, and you turn the earth back to green.

The reason's for eating Paleo will become worth while to you when you start feeling it on your body. Its shockingly wonderful and uplifting, and the best gift you can ever give yourself.

My mentors are: Nell Stephenson, Robb Wolf and Pedro Bastos. These are fantastic people to research and follow. I love the books of Michael Pollen too, and suggest you watch this video.

Robb has a great podcast I suggest you follow and he just released a new book. All on his site.

Other resources:
Official Paleo Diet website with Dr Loren Cordain who started the it all.
Paleo Life (research from Pedro Bastos)
Great Recipes (from Nikki Young in Australia)

In South Africa

2010-07-09T16:33:00.000-07:00

Being home again is a wonderful familiar. There is so much density here. So much stuff going on. In this small country, just bigger than the state of Texas, it bursts with so many species; plants, animals and people. I was able to attend the quarter final game in Johannesburg. The stadium was amazingly shinny. The vuvuzela (trumpet like things) resounded everywhere. So much fun was the walk to the gates, with the smell of the food, the chicken in the weber braai's and the borewors, with white pap (maize) and tomato sauce filling the cold air.

The streets are filled with flags, and cars drive past with flags flying like antennas attached to their sides. I think seeing the SA Flag everywhere, creates a sense of pride and belonging like I have come to experience amongst the American people. When I first arrived in Seattle, it was strange for me to see the USA flag flown outside so many houses. But now I understand and feel what that does. Seeing the flag of your country repeatedly, is like a constant check-in reminder of feeling belonging, then pride and hopefully turning into contribution.

My time here in South Africa is almost up, and I feel mixed emotions. Hard to return and hard to stay. Perhaps like the scene from the old film "My stepmother's an alien"...
But the challenge for the World Champs in New Zealand is the focus. And although my family and past lies here in Pretoria, now called Tshwane, something momentous awaits in Seattle. And I'm excited to ride that wave.

Racing at the Holland Beker

2010-06-27T16:03:00.000-07:00

Well where do I start:
This was another great learning experience. Just like at NSR 1 when I raced putting myself in a higher pressure point. The final result was not as I like it. But the journey is intensified and has more purpose when results like this happen. In this journey, I can say, in the heat I beat Knapkova, who made three push attempts to pass me. I can say I beat the famous and esteemed Karsten, while rowing the most efficiently I ever have. I can say I made the A final in a field of women who have raced Olympic level many times, and I was there in the first 500m, and I was there in the 1000m. From then onwards the wind blocked me, and pushed me back. What what a fight and if I was there once, I can again!
Results >

Koninklijke-Holland Beker

2010-06-23T13:36:00.000-07:00

Well, I AMSTERDAM reads loudly in my experience here, so far. I like the dutch. They are busy, active people, riding strange bikes, all over the place; all over the streets, like the Spanish with their vespers. Small roads with more bike lanes than car lanes, and water, water everywhere. Cafes and coffee riddle the street corners like Starbucks in Seattle. And english spoken by all -in some form. My afrikaans language helping me with the dutch translations, now and again. The orange bleeds here from the houses in little flags of football. The craze continues and supporters and bars are filled. In the midst of all of this, I'm driving a green station wagon to the Bosbaan, where I will race on Saturday and Sunday. A little 'miggie', an afrikaans word for a mayfly, among the moths. Looks like heats for the W1x, Ladies Trophy event starts on Saturday at 11am. Semi's on Sunday at 11am, and finals at 3:40pm, same day.

I am staying at the house of the famous Emperor of the Amstel, Frans Göbel. Yesterday we went on a bike tour of Amsterdam. It was great fun, but crazy. Construction everywhere though, so the famous museums where under repair. Then I took the 2-hour drive to see the other famous dutch man here, the inventor of the Rowperfect Cas Rekers. That was an amazing time.

I'm also thankful to Robbrecht who has been helping me with the boat rigging and to Rob Heeres from Heeres Boat Service boat rentals for my fantastic S4 Croker blades, just right. No more Bled oar last minute swap outs. I've been trying to think of a name for this Filippi with carbon riger and black stripe down the deck and red on the sides. Made me think of a deck of cards. La Reina, or Queen of Spades, or maybe just Viper?

The website race here >

vuvuzela craziness

2010-06-17T23:09:00.000-07:00

so the soccer is off and south africa is rocking with the sounds of a trumpet like thing called a vuvuzela. it makes a hell of a noise, and i'm told soccer fans are complaining because you can hear nothing else. i'll be there after june 28th, and i can't wait to catch the vibe and see home again. it has been a while.

Watch the Race on Universal Sports!

2010-06-09T17:01:00.000-07:00

Watch the race here >

... with American commentators instead of the British commentators!

Home with the hardware

2010-06-02T19:41:00.000-07:00

When you think of Bled, the word wellness follows closely. The beauty of the undisturbed town holds its breath as I did before the light changed from red to green at the start.

The racing started on Friday with heats. We were in a good heat, heat 3. But we had the Greeks and were worried about them. With a fast start they went ahead, but we worked on the middle 1000m, and moved ahead sending the rest to the reps. That afternoon, Abby and I watched the reps and Abby enjoyed watching the reps for a change.

Saturday the semi's dawned. The weather was changing and lightening and thunder threatened us as we were putting hands on. But nothing was canceled and on to the warmup we went. The semi was technically our best row. With our newly painted oars, Croker S4's we moved ahead, again with Greek and GB in our race. Our semi was like a final. We would meet these top boats again on Sunday.

The finals were moved earlier for wind was predicted later that day. I took a few deep breaths and waited for the light change, once again. With all the push I had, I wanted that first 500m. Not normal for me to get out in front from the start. We worked our magic in the middle of the race, and Abby called, "we're moving". Together we pushed on towards the island that would signal the last 250m. The buoys changed from white to red and knowing these are our last strokes, I pushed and held on as much as I could. We crossed that beep. Good. We achieved our goal. To win and qualify the boat for New Zealand in November.

Some great things of Bled are the swans that are like ambassadors on the course. One announcement said "We have swan behind you, so we will a little bit wait". Another said, "don't worry girls. We wait, swan passing by". Another is the pumpkin seed oil that was a surprised delight dressing for our salads. The people walking the lake with ice-cream cones gave a wonderful summery delight. Most people spoke english, and I felt very well accepted and it was easy to familiarize ourselves with the environment.

I'm back in Seattle, greeted by rain. Training will continue in Bellingham on Lake Samish. June 26-27 I have the opportunity to race in the Holland Beker. Then I go watch some soccer World Cup back home in South Africa. I haven't been home for three years and so excited to see how things have developed.

Thank you again so much for all your support and donations and help in this world cup. We are ready to keep working hard onwards to doing the impossible and achieve great things, every day in training, and then in New Zealand.

Watch the race here > LW2x. Our awards ceremony is at the end of the LM2x. (These British commentators have got a mind of their own :)

More photos here >

USRowing says >

The Oar saga continues in Bled

2010-05-26T16:12:00.000-07:00

Firstly, thank you. Thank you so much for the donations on the oars. We are so grateful and honoured to have your faith and resources with us. Will will race even harder than hard knowing we have this showing from you!

We still don't have the Croker S4's we need. The Staempfli contact who had promised us sculls aka blades aka oars, brought us medium shaft. Us little lightweights can't get medium shafts to bend, giving us the nice whip effect through the water. Looks like Max Schellenbacher from Schellenbacher GmbH can help us tomorrow afternoon. I just hope we get to row in them, paint them all before our race on Friday! Is it too much? I don't know. This is that 2%. And if it came down to China and the USA on the final and we win or lose my milliseconds....

Thank you to Michael Callahan, (UW Men's coach) and Cas Rekers (RP inventor) for using their connections to help get oars.

What is means to race for the USA in Bled

2010-05-26T07:42:00.000-07:00

The USA team arrived on Sunday and beautiful Park Hotel. The hotel is right on the water at the start line. The buffet meals, as picky lightweights on paleo diets is perfect! Great variety of salads and veggies. We have arugula and cooked fennel. Not just any greens!
Tired bodies walked themselves to the boat area to find our Fillipi and rig. Then tired bodies took to the water and made our first row in calm waters. I say calm now, because as the week progressed, calm was not the word anymore.
We were also given local bikes to get to the course and back. Abby and I got to the bike handout last, so Abby's bike called Hercules doesn't hold a gear for sh!t But my purple beauty did the job. As the week progressed, Hercules was retired, Abby took on the purple beauty and Ursula set out on foot.
On Monday and Tuesday, only the USA and China was seen on the course. I felt part of a deep seeded past. But this time, I was living it; not reading about it in Mrs Sommerville's history class. This time, I now as a US Citizen am a soldier part of this cold war. Although those walls long past, it still moved me.
As our rows progressed, rigging tensions came up. Carlos on video camera at the finish, communicated with us relentlessly. How to get us faster, that's what we talked about. A LOT.
Today, Wednesday we saw more teams arrive. In usual style the GB team arrived in military style. Small but wide pick-up like trucks one after the other, bikes, tents..., their presence is announced. China, although here already by the time we came has a huge showing. The yellow clothing with red stars show up everywhere. We have three china boats in our event. Looks like Kat Grainger from GB is doubling up in the World Cup. Thus does it still really seem that outrageous that I doubled up at NSR 1?
Carlos having to self fund his accommodation is hold head high. We would not be as ready as we feel without his energy. Thank you!

Packing, Painting, Praying for Bled

2010-05-21T18:37:00.000-07:00

We have been doing solid work on Lake Carnegie here in Princeton. Launching from the house of Margery Mark, our Filippi double has gone to the Princeton Boathouse and back, to the finish of the 2km course and back... and back.

As the final things start coming together for Bled, I see it like a juxtaposition of a white canvas to white blades. Our canvas is being prepared and painted, step my step. Some things being stripped away to reveal the red, white and blue underneath. I feel so fortunate to be part of such a colourful journey. And filled with unbelievable challenges.

We found out yesterday after all the painting we did, we can't even take these S4 Crokers with us to Bled, because the plane from Frankfurt to Ljubljana is too small to accommodate the length. So we have been pounding the phones and emails and skype for any Europe contacts to see if we can get the S4 soft ultralight blades in Bled for this USA LW2x. So far, unsuccessful. So we might end up racing with the regular S2's. Now if you can imagine a tightrope walker, training all the time with a bar and it has a weight and a balance point, this is what we face. We will have heavier shafts a week before racing that we will have to adapt to. And well, that's it.

Some links of interest for the racing to set the scene:
World Rowing Website >
Here is the list of entries for the LW2x > click on LW2x
Provisional Schedule here >

We have 3 boats from China. The Greek stroke is doubling up and rowing the LW1x as well. Tere whom I raced with last year in my first world cup will also be racing. Looks like we start the heats on Friday at 11:42am. My South African family will be happy because Bled is on the same time zone!

As an extra fun image, the last time I painted blades was for Rika racing in a world cup. Painting the SA blades ended up giving me good practice for the simplified but similar USA design! All things are connected.

As a final note before we leave Princeton, I want to thank our generous hosts, Tom and Peggy. And then we also got the opportunity to stay with Jan and Harold. Thank you so much! And also thank you once again to the Dwyer family and to Sherri, for providing wonderful food to keep us all going.

I have also come to realize how much fund-raising we will need to do in the future to make all this sustainable. Looks like we will need to buy blades in Bled!

Yes, I will blatantly put a donate paypal button here if you can help us! Baie Dankie! (Thank you in Afrikaans)

On to Bled, after an NSR 2 Final Gold

2010-05-16T16:35:00.000-07:00

The Gold Star was shining, even though the rough waters stirred. Abby and I made it down the course and crossed the finish line, positioning us for an entry to Bled. At the dock we were met by the official to weigh the boat and escort us to the USADA tent. Enter Ursula's first drug testing experience. Well, three attempts and two hours later, I finally filled my cup and was able to leave the tent. Then met with Fred and Matt, to discuss the trip to Bled and how we would afford to take Carlos with us as our coach.

We are leaving for Bled on Saturday, May 22. We are staying at Hotel Park. The hotel looks like a great spot to be. Hotel Bled >
Google Maps >
The providential racing schedule for the World Cup (LW2x) here >
More about Slovenia as a World Cup location here >

This week's logistics are crazy. Rigging the Filippi, painting blades to the USA colours, nourishing at Whole Foods and Trader Joe's, where else, right? And getting enough sleep as the humidity rises here in Princeton. After all said and done, we should be back in Seattle June 1st. Carlos will stay on to support our UW team at the IRA's. Well done to the UW who were strong at the PAC 10's! Another great weekend filled with results and resolutions.

NSR 2 Time Trials after photo shot

2010-05-14T13:21:00.000-07:00

A happy Ursula, Carlos and Abby take a quick pause and smile for the camera after the time trial. A crazy, confusing, cross, something wind took them down the course one by one in time trial style. One check mark down, but the work comes in on Saturday for the final. Reports of a thunderstorm may delay racing to Sunday morning. The east coast humidity has set in, and after another run to the Whole Foods, the Seattle Crew is fueled and ready to race, be it tomorrow, or the next.... or the next.
Read USRowing News >

Thank you to JL Racing for some great uni's designed for the finals. Let the stars prevail!

Finals will be held Saturday 7:30 a.m. Watch racing live on the Team USA Rowing Channel beginning at 7 a.m. EDT Saturday, May 15 at http://rowing.teamusa.org/live.
For complete results, visit www.powerhousetimeing.com.

Pre NSR 2 - STARS

2010-05-12T17:30:00.000-07:00

The late, Emil Kossev said to Abby, "you are a long term project but one day you will be a star." I have used the star symbol as a connection to my adage: 'One sees bars the other the stars!' I guess someone once called me Urshie-Star and the idea was planted. Now two girls both with the stars in their eyes are reaching for the top. If we go for the top and reach for the stars, we might not not get there, but we won't come down with a handful of mud either. Thus the journey is born. And it has already begun with an incredible week of training on Lake Samish at the new Carlos Dinares facility in Bellingham, WA.

So follow us tomorrow as the Womens LW 2x on Powerhouse Timing and lets see how far and fast down the rabbit hole we go! We are racing under the star uni's in the Silver Star Hudson lent to us by Margery, Loretta and Karen. Thank you Ladies! The same boat Renee and Jen made their debut in! Let the good flow keeps its momentum going with us, as a new combination ready to go to Bled, Slovenia!

Bellingham Beauty

2010-05-03T22:17:00.000-07:00

We are here training at the most beautiful place! Carlos has developed a house and training facility on Lake Samish in beautiful Bellingham. Abby and I are doing our miles in this very special place. The house built is nothing on the ordinary bar. The olympic rings still stare upon us. We are working in a very special way in a very special place!

Change of Plans - NSR II here wer come!

2010-04-28T18:41:00.000-07:00

Ok, take a few deep breathes. We have readdressed everything. Mainly what we can sustain. And we are going to race NSR II with Abby. Then approximately 5 days later leave for the first World Cup in Bled, Slovenia (if we win the double event at NSR II). This is going to be the qualifying course for the Olympics next year, because the 2011 World Champs are there. The course info here >.

So today was the first training session with Abby and we are feeling positive. It's going to be a little logistical craziness, but hey, that's what seems to be the norm now. Ready?! GO!

Post NSR 1

2010-04-27T21:47:00.000-07:00

So lets recap, I raced four times on Friday, twice on Saturday (one of these was my lightweight final) and once on Sunday. I won the lightweight women final, and won the B-final in the open weight division, yet posted a faster time than the winner of the A-final 20 minutes before me. This has raised huge discussions on the rowing boards, and to follow various opinions, to fully see the effect this weekend made on the community you can click here to do so > . Warning: This discussion board gets quite intense.

• I was interviewed here > Speed 5 Interview
• Great photos of the weekend are here > My events are Lightweight Women 1x and Open Women 1x (singles)
• And more press releases on the US Rowing Website here >
• Finally the results are here > of the weekend's racing. Again follow the LWT 1x and W1x.

Back in Seattle and will continue with the training, building the abc's and loving my rows everyday; learning something new and feeling new momentums; working on efficiency to achieve the ultimate acceleration through seemingly effortless gliding.

Thank you so much to all the emails, and followers and believers in this dream. It is an honour to be an inspiration to anyone, and not something, I take lightly.

Every race is like a little novel

2010-04-24T14:22:00.000-07:00

So far, I have six races of experience recorded, and each one like a special little novel. The different stories revealed to me has been unexpected and insightful. I have felt like a sponge just absorbing what the racing platform has brought out in my competitors and their interactions with the racing scene, and then my reaction to their interaction. Fascinating the different feel from the heavies to the lights when in the warm up area. Also from race to race, within an hour how the weather changes.

I'm sad I missed the A final in the Open 1x. I couldn't seem to get my first 1000m going, and came from too far behind in the end to take on the last 500m. I am however, ready for my B final tomorrow 7:30am. The last race.

My LW 1x was were it counted. This is what I was here for. The business of the matter. I got a good start. In fact, my start in the semi open final was good too and surprised me, since I have a history of sluggish and slow starts. I kept building through my race, looking for momentum and power. I held there and then felt the onslaught of Sarbanis. We passed the white gazebo, and that was where the money is, meaning the last 500m. Go Go Go, I voiced my body into action. Then Abby attacked Sarbanis and with that we closed the final. Ursula: 7:59, Serbanis and Abby 8:02 with only split seconds dividing positions. Interesting my semi time only 50 minutes before so much slower: 8:08. Not sure what else to say after that.

Day 1 over - My Rowing Marathon

2010-04-24T02:30:00.000-07:00

Getting ready for the LWT Final and Heavy Semi. Not too many comments: Just Do IT right. Read a great quote sent by Josh Adam, from Indiana University:
What price are you willing to pay today to invest in your future excellence? If the goal is to win, internally or externally, that price cannot be negotiated.

Lots of interesting reads here:
http://www.usrowing.org/News_Media/PressReleases/detail.aspx?nws_lKey=810

Results here:
http://secure.powerhousetiming.com/powerhouse/webpages/raceResults.jsp?raceId=243

And for a really fun read, check out these comments:
http://www.rowingillustrated.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2303&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=ursula&start=105

Time Trials

2010-04-23T08:33:00.000-07:00

The cold cold morning set the stage for our time trials. The wind also progressively worsened. The open weight women heat was first. Good pace and rhythm took me down the course as one of the last participants in the event. After the time trial I quickly returned to the dock, switched out my bow number, at which point Maria came to tell me I had posted the fastest time. Drank a few sips of my Recoverite, and off I went again. I timed the second outing a little wrong. I thought I had less time between, so when I got to the start, I was there before the pairs, doubles, men's lightweights. Finally, they called and this time with bow number 99, I went down the course. The winds had changed. This race was a little more bobbing like a cork in rough water feeling. So hoping for warmer weather and calmer winds tonight in the heats. Wishinful thinking for Princeton, NSR's on Mercer Lake, right?!

Follow the results here >> powerhousetiming.com

My first NSR

2010-04-22T17:27:00.000-07:00

The last time I raced down this course, I said this is for my citizenship. That was the US Nationals in 2008. Funny how the next time I raced down this same course, would be as my first race after having received my US Passport.

We arrived in Philadelphia on Wednesday and were housed by Chris and Maria. They share a wonderful revolving door open house attitude! Maria took us for a run and I, never having been in Philadelphia, enjoyed the boat houses that looked like little Snow White fairy tale cottages along boathouse row. We also ran up the Rocky Steps. And a sculpture poignantly called THE IMMIGRANT could not be passed up on this momentous regatta. It encapsulates so many emotions and aspirations, long waited for.

Thank you so much also to Tom from Sykes who has made boating so easy. I have finally called my Sykes "Phoenix", after rowing it for months, the name came to me while gliding on the Greenlake waters. The Hudson is called "Storm". The Fillipi is called "Michael", and now the Sykes was christened. More on the linkage later.

ITS ABOUT THE RESULT

2010-04-14T16:00:00.000-07:00

I start my morning, like every other. A breakfast shake, a 40min drive to Seattle from Lake Stevens. Coffee and then await instruction from Carlos. Rowing on the single, working on efficient power per stroke, or if its raining (imagine that for Seattle?!) the same work on the erg.

After that, kale omelet, fruits and Recoverite. Rest. And the second training session, often at the University of Washington. The soundtrack to Rocky plays over the speakers as our momentary inspiration.

Back to the Carlos laboratory, aka basement, for some circuit work and Shuttle MVP stuff. And this, is how my days follow. Except this time, yes this time, I’m going to race and finally, finally qualify because finally, yes, finally I’m a US Citizen!

Cheers to that!

No Longer a Prawn

2010-03-22T19:05:00.000-07:00

It’s been long awaited, but today March 22, 2010 I said my pledges, took my oath and got the certificate as proof. I am now a USA Citizen!

Many paths and many journey’s to get to one’s dream or destiny. I’m not sure yet how I feel. But its great to have achieved something of this magnitude and stature. I’m doing the ABC’s to get closer to the Olympic Dream.

Afterwards I got to thinking about how symbolic it was that I became a citizen in the year that Barack Obama gave the "Welcome to America" address as a new citizen. I think that meant the most to me, based on where we came from. I think he's from Kenya, right? I have also always enjoyed the elements to his logo >>

Thank you so much to everyone who helped write letters and pursue this process with me.

Special mention to:
DJ (of course)
The office from Maria Cantwell
Chief Randy Celori of the Lake Stevens Police Department
Chris Helm
Lee Steers
John Parker
Jen Goldsack
Todd Packard
Bruce Lakma

If you are wondering about the Prawn comment, you need to indulge yourself in the movie called District 9. It's so South African, I love it. The guy you plays Wikus van der Merwe is the real deal. If you ask me what are the people like in South Africa, this is it!

PAINTING THE FUTURE - Setting the stage

2010-03-02T14:30:00.000-08:00

The Dykema/Dinares basement got a facelift. New stairs opened up spaces for more training room. A new white wall looked upon the MVP and RP’s and well, I had to come to the colour rescue. Now the the goal, the focus keeps reminding us to train hard. Its coming, 2012!

London> Eton> Dorney Lake

It comes along in stages. The ABC’s Carlos calls them. The day in and day out saving account. The miles rowed, the hours spent in training. Ready to cash out when the priority day comes. 2010 is going strong. I’m excited for what this year will bring.

Platforms from which we jump

2010-02-27T16:51:00.000-08:00

NW Rowing Awards

From the key note speakers, Anna and Bob Jr Cummins I learned about some outside factors that define and shape a champion. The conclusion came to platforms from which champs can jump to reach new heights. Thank you to my platforms and support group. I’m bouncing like a Tigger!

Lake Union hosted the annual NW Rowing Awards. The beautiful venue was intimate and warm. Thank you to Caitlin McClain for putting it all together. The food was really good. I believe we have Conel Groom to thank for the tasty linner (something between lunch and dinner).
I was nominated for crew of the year, and received the 2010 NW Rowing Crew of the Year Award.

To have the title be crew, indicated that I did not achieve this on my own. And tying in to the keynote speakers, we achieve great things when we recognize the help from those around who donate and offer their time and money. Coaches, medical staff, benefactors, housing, were some of the points mentioned. Thank you so much to my platforms who help me achieve. Often silently in the background. Thank you Greg, Terri, Sheryl and Judy for coming to the dinner and supporting me. Thank you also to Kathy McCormack, who encouraged me to get out there and row!

C.R.A.S.H-B's

2010-02-14T16:54:00.000-08:00

Known as the World Indoor Rowing Championships, the event drew a record crowd at Boston University’s Agganis Arena. Over 2,000 athletes from across the globe vied for the famed hammer trophy. The C.R.A.S.H.-B. Sprints originated in 1982 when a group of Boston rowers, some on the US National and Olympic Rowing teams training out of Harvard University’s Newell Boathouse, named themselves the “Charles River All-Star Has-Beens” and organized the first indoor meet of its kind. Today, the C.R.A.S.H.-B.

I was back in Boston after Head of the Charles. This time the Charles was unrowable. The frozen memories reflected back as we drove past.

Once again, the Driscoll/Houlihan family hosted us. And Margaret and Tim came out to visit with Carlos and myself. The table was full of conversation as I remember from St. Catherines at the Ridley Gate Manor.

JL Racing shipped out my race uni, and hopefully soon we will be designing more Ursula gear. I’m thinking a crazy mix of african patterns, and then the stars and purple continues to identify me.

Valentines day dawned and my date with a C2 ergometer was waiting. At the start of the race, a multi-national line pulled hard, as I heard greek, french, and german around me. The end result was not quite what I wanted. However quite an experience to learn from.

For complete results, visit http://www.crash-b.org
For more photos, visit http://scullingfool.smugmug.com

This is it - Champ Single at Canley

2009-08-09T15:07:00.000-07:00

I didn’t sleep all that well. Too many thoughts. We could wake up a little later because racing only started at 11am. We headed to the course, as we did every morning and I rowed my 12-16 kay warmup. The wind and current was particularly strong and there were very different momentums and feelings one way to the next. Returning to the Ridley Gate Manor for our usual, but still spectacular breakfast. Peter’s bacon that he cooks for one hour, beautiful cut and decorated fruit plate and eggs as you like them, fills a grandstand quality to the start of your day. The table was also filled with Bostonians who were rower parents. So breakfast was an hours affair filled with stories from George and Mary Jane, and Margaret and Tim. Great conversations again making such a quality impact to our day.

I went and rested and then the room got darker and rumbles were heard from afar. The rain set in as did the lightning and solid thunder resounded. Racing was delayed by 3 hours.
My start of 3:25 moved to 5:55pm.

On the return to the course, mud was everywhere. The humidity thick enough to cut. Rowing down to the start, the wind kept me on my toes. Lightly threatening but not.

It took longer than usual for the aligners to call us into the course. But when they did things moved really fast. More ready for the current pushing against my blades I waited for that beep. The start of all my competitors was quick. I was especially keeping a sense of where Isolda, (my nemesis) was. She was in Lane 5 and I in Lane 4. By 500m I was building my lead. Feeling connected and moving. Suddenly Isolda stopped rowing. For a moment I was unsure if someone had called the race off and I didn’t hear it. Or she saw something that needed us all to stop. But my other competitors didn’t stop, and I realised neither should I. So regaining the focus again I pushed on.
The result was a 7:15.03. I would have placed in the Men’s Champ single with that time! The goals of Carlos were achieved, and that is the end to our summer training 2009. I feel happy with all the training we have done and yet still look forward to the continual pursuit of excellence... and happyness.

Notes:
-I still am not sure why Isolda stopped. I’ll be sure to facebook her sometime.

-Thank you to NCC (North Cascades Crew) for allowing me to race under their club name.

-Thank you so much to Peter and Teresa Kellett who took these pictures and fed me so well! Peter came to the finish and asked the umpires where is the champ single trophy because he knows who’s winning it. To which they replied, “we have heard this before”. And after my race they returned saying, “boy you were right”.

-Thank you to the Huskies at the course and back home for facility use and support. Like Carlos said, we missed the whole college rowing and now we have this opportunity to be involved in it.

-Thank you to Josh who stayed for my race. I appreciate your support.

-Thank you to Lacey and Rick Crawley from U.Vic for trailering my boat!

-Thank you dad for helping me stay afloat. In many aspects.

-Finally thank you to DJ who gives me the platform to push myself. Thank you to Julie for allowing me to take up so much space in their life to perform, and thank you to Carlos for billions and trillions of things. Terabytes of words to say thank you for my speed, my development and life lessons. Here’s the first summer on the path to 2012.

We are all Champions.

Heat 2 > Lane 5 > 7:39.43

2009-08-07T15:05:00.000-07:00

Event 81:

The weather was good. Not too hot, not too cold. The water was good. The current was a little strange, pushing the boat at the start. The shallow water with tangling undergrowth made sure I kept shallow blades, however I almost took a dive in the warm-up. On the way to the start my foot board nuts and bolts loosened and I had to make a stop at the umpire boat for a wrench. Other than that, the race went fine. Everything to get ready for the final now on Sunday at 3:25pm. This was my first race in the new single!

Some interesting things about my competitors:
I have a close friend who went by k. hearn. There was a k. hearn in my race and I thought that was very coincidental.
Lacey Crawley is the daughter of Rick Crawley who are our boat trailer drivers all the way from U. Vic. Thank you to them for driving the boats safely. Isolda from Heat 1 won this event last year. She also won her heat, so we will battle it out again in the final.

Then interesting according to Canadian Henley rules, I can’t race any other event, like the Senior Women single or the Lwt Women single for the 500m dashes both for open and lightweight because I have raced in a World Cup. I could only enter the Champ Single which is open weight category.

We also found out today that the masters World Champs will be here at St. Catherines next year September.

Peter Kellett, our host from the B&B we are staying at was at the finish grandstand as he was last year, and took a few shots! Thank you so much Pete and Teresa for your support. Ridley Gate Manor is a wonderful addition to my Henley experience.

Thank you to NCC, for whom I could race for. Go Orange!

What more can I say. On to the final on Sunday!

F15

2009-06-10T14:57:00.000-07:00

It is almost a year later since the dreaded damage of my previous Wintech boat came back to me in two. In fact we are working on the logistics today about racing the US Nationals again. But this time, we are hoping to rent from Wintech on the east coast!

So in August ‘08 I was able, with help from many donations, to place the order with Filippi to get a brand, shiny, new F15 LW boat. The delivery of the boat was very delayed. Finally in March ‘09 the boat arrived in Seattle. I was in the plane boarding at San Francisco when the delivery truck called saying I’m at Pocock, come get your boat. The hostess was trying to explain to us sitting at the emergency exist and telling me, you need to shut your phone off, while I was trying to desperately call Carlos saying please can you help get my boat!

From March to June the boat rested at Carlos’s boathouse-basement. And today, yes today I put the boat in the water, rigged and ready to rock!

Boat name:
I equate this Italian stallion to my Ferrari!
my Mondial - meaning world in Italian
Barchetta - meaning little boat in Italian
or Lusso - meaning luxury in Italian
or maybe I should call this boat Malcolm - after my brother

Thank you so much to the following people who helped donate towards this boat:

Lee & Judy Steers - Thank you mom, Lee! Thank you.
Julie McCleery - Thank you for helping guide me through this.
Graham Murphy - my fellow triathlete and south african.
Stuart Mack - ballroom dancing partner.
Sandy - what history we share, thank you for this new journey.
Clayton Cunningham - thanks Clayton. Long time.
Krash Test Kimmie - thanks Kim. Quick recovery to your son.
Jennifer Smith - Thanks to everything Anytime Fitness means to me.
Ellen Hagarty - Thanks for your faith and persistence.
Camila - Keep up the good training too!
John & Linda - My first erg students. Thank you for this great gift.
George & Darlene - Great conversations, thank you for your time.
Rauchell McDaniel - Thank you for putting up with the parking.
John Cameron - Thank you! See you in the Mill Creek Gym.
Linda Hunt - Wow thanks to SVC! I had a great learning experience.
Christine Grant - Thank you so much!
Lindsey & Nancy Hochman - Thanks so much and sorry this happened.
Nancy - Thank you for reaching out.
Claudia McCain - Thanks Claudia for understanding.
Paula and Kelly - Thank you!
Heather Tromp and girls - Thanks so much Trompers.
Tim & Mary Panichi - wow, thank you Mary. See you at the gym.
Kat - yes I will be getting insurance for this new boat :)
Wendy & Jim - yay!
Bill & Cindy - Thank you so much for your honest smiles.
Judy & Ed - Thank you for sharing my dream.
Don & Ann - Your neighborly warmth is of great comfort to me.
Greg Williams - Thank you for helping me with the Medalist.
Alicia - Thanks for great friendship.
Tammy McLeod - Thank you for reaching out.
Chris Muser - Thank you so much for all your rigger help.
Kathy McCormack - My first advise seeker, thank you!
Hunter - I’ll come looking for the raft in summer.
Bob Heacox - Sorry this happened to you aswell.
Kati Wheeler - Thank you for believing in me, and following my journey.
Dionne - Thank you for being a fan! Hope to see you in London 2012!
Dave P - Dave, thank you for listening, and sharing with me this journey, and being a part of it all!
Sean & Corina - You guys are great friends to us, and Remus.
Kevin & Kim - The K’s family. Looking forward to Koda’s next visit.
Glen & Ann - Thank you for making the connection.
Carlos & Julie -There are not enough words.
Abbie B Berry - Thanks for working with me.
Karen Calara - I’m sure we will still walk a long path together, thank u.
Stern family - Thank you for bringing me to Seattle. Who knew.
Audrey Alderson - Thank you for being a friend to Judy Steers.
Al McGuire - Thank you for your support. It was my pleasure to work with Grady!
Diane Combs - Thank you supporting me, and your friendship to Judy Steers.
Black Fly Sculers - Thank you Black Flys! Go Flys!
Tom Paul - A great pleasure meeting you at Henley! Keep those flys swarming!
Kennedy McGill - Thank you for listening and caring!
Michael Smith - Lucky me, that you found the money in the gym! Thank you!

WORLD CUP I -and I’m in it

2009-05-20T14:51:00.000-07:00

Tere came to Seattle to help prepare the double a few weeks ago. A big thank you to Carlos and Julie who hosted her at their house. Then Tere and I returned to Barcelona. Unfortunately on different flights. However, luckily we game in through the same gate only 30min apart. And I say luckily with a capital L, because Tere comes through the passport control to find me sitting outside. The immigrations officer did not like my return visa. And questioning was a problem since my spanish was not conversational. Then Tere arrived, and I don’t know what she said to this officer, and how she charmed him, but the next moment, not only is he letting me through customs.... he and all the other officers are taking pictures with us, making us sign the photocopied pictures.... what a show!

Only a week away.
It all became more real when I saw the entries of the boats. And I was on that list! (LW2x). We race the heats on Friday, 30 May (event 20) starting at 12:42. And then the final on Sunday, 31 May at 12:15. (Central Europe Time Zone, GMT +1)

The streets are filled with big posters announcing the event. Copa Del Mundo they call it here. The website I created for the world cup a few months ago really has a feature now. And I have a little fan club coming from Lake Stevens! Thank you to Greg and Rebecca for making the trip!

Now in Banyoles, the crews are coming, Carlos is arriving on Monday to finally be there when I race.
The work is done for now. Thank you to all who have helped me get even to this point! I’m so excited!
Focus, Ready, Row!

Racing in Piediluco, Italy

2009-04-27T14:46:00.000-07:00

This weekend I had the opportunity to race in Italy outside of a small town called Terni. Where is this place? Map A lake tucked inside the mountains, made for some good introductions to the racing season.

The weekend brought interesting challenges, one being my first official lightweight double racing. No rower can weigh more than 59kg (130lbs) but the average of both rowers combined can be no more than 57kg (125lbs).

Saturday morning, racing day I weighed 57.0 kg!!! And we made the weigh in. Approaching the start line, two hours later, I felt strong and confident. I felt the other lightweight girls had no strength over us, and as we went down the course, my feelings were justified with a win of 27 secs!

The coach decided that this was no competition and changed our entry to the heavyweight double for Sunday. This meant I didn't have to do a weight control, and stronger competition. I was glad for both options. So Saturday was good lunch and dinner, and I did feel a little more replenished approaching Sunday's race start. But I was more nervous for I knew we were in for a fight. On the warm up, wind and rain doused us, but it was just a tease, because luckily as we started the race, it all seemed calm. At least in the surroundings, because inside the boat, or in my head there was nothing but adrenalin noise pumping. The Italian heavyweight double held our boat the whole way down the course, and at the end, they squeezed a second in front of us, to take gold. Those pasta-eating girls, darn them! I felt we raced hard, but not smart, and in the end we should have held them off better.

After racing a quick turn-around and we were in the airport again, bus and home. Never got to really see anything in Italy besides hotel, bus and regatta course. Luckily I have been a tourist in Rome before. Because I guess this trip was nothing.

Official Website

Open Trials for Spain

2009-04-05T14:45:00.000-07:00

The first weekend of April rowers from all over Spain came to Banyoles to show their stuff in the selection trials. Rowers have only small boats, pairs and singles to prove their presence in the eyes of the selectors.

Well, I hit the ground running hardly describes what happened in 2 days. A sudden, unprepared flight to San Francisco getting the visa... delayed on the runway, only arriving back in Seattle at 8pm... a call to say my boat had arrived... (Thank you to Carlos for collecting the boat while I was on the plane!)... taking the plane at 6am the next day to return to Banyoles... race the heat for the Open Trials.

The wind blew like crazy on Friday and the heat start was not pretty. But I won, and went through to the semi’s. The draw put me with Nuria Domingo, Spain’s only Olympic qualifier in the Open W1x. I was excited to race someone of her experience. The start went well, and I was off. At 1000m I was well ahead and won the semi to go through to the final. There I met partner Teressa mas Xaxars and Nuria Domingo again. This was the big one, where we were going to really show it all! The start was good. I felt Nuria with me longer than before. And I kept my head down and kept working. All the training from Carlos, this whole process gives me a confidence in my performance unmatched! And I was able to win this race by 5 seconds!

Fisa Team Cup XV >1000m & 500m

2009-02-23T11:37:00.000-08:00

On the Guadalquivir River the Fisa Team cup is said to launch the racing season and break up the long distance rowing with a short 1000m on Saturday and 500m on Sunday. I competed in both the LW 2x and 1x on both days. And I competed for RSA, and combination with ESP.

Going to Seville for the first time has left a deep mark of memories. Not only the experience of racing a semi-international regatta for the first time, but getting the experience of so many things that are going to be part of my life for the next couple years. What it means to go to a competition and get ready to give your best.
Some crucial experiences for me was going through the weigh-in two hours before your race. Another crucial experience was just being in a new place and learning a new course. But more than that, feeling like you are so comfortable in this new environment that you can dominate it. This took a beating on me, and I felt tired and slept so much more than usual. And then of course racing, and racing under a country banner.

There are some very big highlights for me about Seville. One was that Marit van Eupen was there. And I got to speak with her. It was an honour to meet this olympic champion. WOW. Deep breath.
Then on Saturday afternoon I rowed passed the start of the 2000m, and saw Seville from the river. It was so beautiful passing the bridges and architecture and enjoying the sun and just seeing the city while rowing. It gave me such a calm and peaceful feeling. It was very meaningful. My parents also planned a Spain holiday to coincide with my time here, and were in Seville to cheered me on. My dad got to see a bit of what my rowing life is like, helping carrying oars and boats. It was great to have that love and support. On Saturday evening there was a dinner and show for the rowers. I got to experience a bullring show, which was very cultural. The High Performance Center was also quite good for training, and I enjoyed what comfort is brought me to help with racing well.

So finally on to the racing.
Saturday the 1000m in the single was interesting. Being 1000m only after so many 20km rows, was really a change. And I spun a little on my wheels. Lots of effort but not moving the boat that well. Especially with the starts. As the boat got momentum I then only did I get going and was able to secure gold in the single, and together with partner Teressa Mas Xaxars we took gold also in the LW 2x. The Sunday we raced 500m, and there I ran out of meters before I could get going. So I placed 3rd in the LW 1x and Tere and I took 2nd in the double. As Tere told my father, we are diesel. And luckily the real thing is 2000m!

VIII Campeonato de ESPAÑA en REMOERGÓMETRO

2009-01-29T11:25:00.000-08:00

Spanish Version of Ergomania

The Erg Competition that brought on many temperaments: with the wind blowing outside, up to 100 miles an hour (160kph), people being evacuated, all outdoor sports cancelled in Spain, the roof collapsing... and still we erged!

The week before the Spanish Erg Champs was a strange one. There was a few days where high winds made little Banyoles lake look like an ocean full of waves. On Friday, we traveled three hours south to a small town called Amposta. Map >
And with us came the wind.

Tere and I stayed at a nice hotel in Amposta. The food was really good - I remember that! We did a 30min erg warmup on Saturday morning, and all this time, the winds blew. It was like walking against a wall, trying to push it over. We waited at the hotel. Our race was at 7:30pm. So at 4pm, we left Amposta and drove to Tartosa, which is close. The competition was in a large hall. The sound system was so loud it drilled through my head, so I asked to wait in the van. With the winds blowing so strong, it rocked the van. This made me really nervous. I had never experienced this kind of gale force. I saw the electric polls look fragile like wheat stalks. We sat and waited in that van, with all these thoughts of how mother nature is all encompassing. A part of the roof collapsed at the venue, and shattered glass lay as proof outside. There was no power. But still the erg races continued, running the screen and computer with a generator >HARD CORE!

At 5:30pm, I had my very first weigh in. And on this scale (which we believe to favour lower numbers) I made 59.5kg (131lbs). The weight limit for lightweight was 61kg (134lbs). So I made lightweight, for the first time ever! YAY to the Paleo diet! When it came time for our erg race, I was preparing to erg in the dark. No seeing your personal screen, only the big boat lane derby. But luckily, luckily something kicked in, and there was light! There was a 40min delay to our start time. More waiting. And finally the warm up. And move onto the race ergs. The ergs were the Model C, the black ones. I definitely missed the comfort of new ergs, Model E! Oh well, I cleaned my tracks, and tried to check the drag. On the Model C you have to hold two buttons together to get the drag to show. I tried and didn’t get this to work, so guessed, somewhere between 5 and 6 feels good. I was on erg number 2, at the end. Next to me was Nuria and then Tere. Nuria is the heavyweight single champ for Spain and went to the Olympics. She raced the C final against Rika (SA’s single champ). There is no announcing the start. You just have to watch the screen and be ready, maybe better for me anyway, since my spanish or catalan is not good.
The screen came on with a 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, ROW.

I remember suddenly being sucked into the zone. I’m aware of what is going on, but I’m so focused on me. On pushing. On a number. On the screen. On finishing as quickly as I can. I heard one of the boys from Banyoles cheer me on. It distracted me for a second. Then I looked up and saw on the boat lane/derby thing, I was in the lead. My C2 screen kept flickering on the position. Showing 1, 2, 3 at random times. I just kept on focussing to keep there. I crossed the 1000 thinking, good, the worst is over. You feel good, Just count it down now. Coach Bienve’s voice came from behind, “I’m in control” and he started encouraging me with the splits we wanted to see. Someone came and tightened my feet straps. (What service :) Last 300m, and Bienve called for 1:43. “Come on, the record!” Still I saw 1:45. I felt my throat hurt like I was getting sick again. I zoned out, and before I knew it, 0m left. I knew I won, and raised my arms in joy of that. But I little sad for not getting the splits at the end. It was a solid constant erg piece. Final time: 6:58,9. I just made it. Looking at Concept’s site, Lisa Schlenker holds the record at 6:56.7.

Clicking on the Spanish Rowing Logo up top takes you to the official site of the Spanish Camps. It has the results, but I’m not listed there, since I’m not Spanish Nationality. Tere took the official trophy for lightweight women, and graciously handed it over to me.

That night we slept in a monastery, with beautiful tiles. However I didn’t sleep at all. I started feeling sick again, and that horrible cold I thought I had kicked back to Seattle was back. I lay couching, until Tere gave me some medicine.

The winds finally subsided. And the next day in the river of Tartosa we raced a quad. It was meant to be 6km, but they changed it to 3km for the currents. It was an interesting row, and with never having practised the line up, there were times the boat felt quite good. Not too much competition for this women’s quad, but we did take another trophy. Finally at 5pm, Sunday we made it back to Banyoles. And that was the weekend, down south!

Now training continues steady with plenty of miles. The hands show it!

VOLTS

2009-01-18T11:15:00.000-08:00

So a straight plug convertor is not enough. You need to read the label on the machine to make sure it can take the higher input.
Lesson of the day: USA volts 110
Spain volts 220. Not the same thing.

The first day I made my protein shake, I was delighted that the bullet spun and all is well. However there was lots of black powder that dispersed from the bottom of the machine. Maybe from the travel I thought. But there is this burning smell also. Curious. Oh well. Hopefully it will go away. Yes, well, three more times I used my bullet until this morning when I plugged it in, using my handy european plug convertor, and when I turned the cup that turns the blender on....nothing.

I knew, I knew that the burning smell, the black smoke.... I burnt the motor out. Now after a little research, reading labels on electrical machines are s important as reading labels on food products! Who knew?! Some things like my laptop shows on the adaptor input 110-220V, and reading the Bullet, it says 110V. And that’s it!

So what does this conclude in my life lessons learnt:
2008 saw me learning about fingers in blenders, and 2009 saw my blender motor meltdown because of too much volts!

And final conclusion : Ursula and a blender are not a good combination!