Page 11 - summer book

There is something about the repetition of the stroke; catch, pull through, release - that
exposes the mind to a higher level of placidity found nowhere else. “One mistake can
cost a race”. he said. “One stray
thought from the goal can cause
a dream to die. Yet somehow,
the end is always reached, the
destination is always found, only photo: Rowing News Magazine
to become a challenge again
the next day.” Coach Loyola ex-
plained. “ It’s about competition
with yourself - going out there to
do your very best, to give it your
all, It’s about supporting your
teammates.” To my conscious self, awareness came with the realization that Rosita’s
was now open and I invited the coach for a fresh cup of java, and more conversation.
As we continued talking, I could see how proud he is of the team on the water, who this
morning are the senior members. There are about 40 members of all ages in the club,
but these are the best. He points to the yellow double scull passing by on its first lap,
“those two are our Olympic representatives” Profe, (as they call him) says. Local boy
Alexis Bladimir López, along with teammate Miguel Angel Carballo, of Baja California
Sur, will be going to Paris this summer as part of Mexico’s Olympic Contingency after
winning the last qualifying competition.
Historical Rowing started in San Felipe, as a state of Baja California government
Participation program in 2005 with the arrival of Cuban Coach Jose Manuel Loyota.
A makeshift gym and storage facility was aquired, and
formal training started that year. The first group of row-
ers consisted of 104 students, with 40 assisting to the
Canamex Games where they won their first medal, a
silver by the 4
women rowers,
Alejandra Casto
Genenis Gracia,
and Melinda and
Neiba Vargas. In 2007 Developer Pat Butler gave
them the Almeja Barbuda building at the Malecon,
which facilitated a better training and storage lo-
cation. The San Felipe Rowing teams have won
more national and international medals than any
other state in Mexico, They have participated in
the International Olympic Games with their best
placing seventh in Barcelona 92. But the expecta-
tions are high for this year’s doubles team of Alexis
Lopez and Miguel Carballo!