Sports & Activities
World OutGames: Rowing
Photo Credit: Andrew Delaware
Steven Paris of Austin, Texas, approaches the finish line in a single scull race. We caught up with him after he exited the water to ask him about his rowing experience in Montreal.
You looked great out there, Steven! How did that race feel to you?
This is the first time I've ever raced a single in a competition. The first part was really close, we had three boats really vying for the lead, then Stephen Kong from Los Angeles just took it out. It was very fun.
So what sort of training did you do to prepare yourself for this competition?
In Austin, as part of Austin rowing club we have a crew that meets in the mornings at 5:30 several times a week. We just train like any other time would. The rest of our team was preparing for Nationals in Seattle, so we just trained right along with them. So lots and lots of rowing!
That sounds very cool. So your gay crew trains alongside the straight crew?
We have many gay and lesbian members of our rowing club. The men's crew in particular tends to be very inclusive, which makes it very special. There is virtually no discrimination.
And in Texas, that's particularly wonderful to hear!
Yes, Austin is like that. I like to say we are the blue spot in a sea of red.
Cool. Well, congratulations Steve on such a great performance for your first time racing a single scull!
Thank you!
You looked great out there, Steven! How did that race feel to you?
This is the first time I've ever raced a single in a competition. The first part was really close, we had three boats really vying for the lead, then Stephen Kong from Los Angeles just took it out. It was very fun.
So what sort of training did you do to prepare yourself for this competition?
In Austin, as part of Austin rowing club we have a crew that meets in the mornings at 5:30 several times a week. We just train like any other time would. The rest of our team was preparing for Nationals in Seattle, so we just trained right along with them. So lots and lots of rowing!
That sounds very cool. So your gay crew trains alongside the straight crew?
We have many gay and lesbian members of our rowing club. The men's crew in particular tends to be very inclusive, which makes it very special. There is virtually no discrimination.
And in Texas, that's particularly wonderful to hear!
Yes, Austin is like that. I like to say we are the blue spot in a sea of red.
Cool. Well, congratulations Steve on such a great performance for your first time racing a single scull!
Thank you!
stroke wrote:
Absolutely great to see an article on gay rowing - good pictures, but most impressed on the insightful commentary!
I was in Montreal rowing myself and you seemed to catch the mood there!
Aug 09 8:29 PM