The Pacific Crew team is sore and exhausted. Their hands bear the signs of a heavy beating in the rowing world, tape, lots and lots of tape. Though the team seems a little worse for wear they are strong, stronger than they’ve been all season. This tight knit group of motivated and enthusiastic student athletes have just put over one hundred miles of rowing under their belts for the first annual fundraising event “Pacific to Pacific.” The idea for the donation based event is credited to Coach Eric Weir. Money raised will be used as team funding: paying for regattas, new equipment, and eventually constructing a boathouse. Rowing from the Golden Gate Bridge to University of the Pacific’s campus is Coach Weir’s bold statement to the rowing world: Pacific Crew has arrived and demands to be taken seriously by the rowing community.

As the team prepared for a grueling weekend, Mother Nature had it in her plans to alter Pacific’s course. Upon arriving at the the Golden Gate Bridge early Saturday morning, the crew team found the weather conditions weren’t favorable for a safe trip. Coach Weir decided to remove the risk factor from the situation and row one hundred miles back on home turf, the Delta. Once arriving back in Stockton, the team took on the daunting task of fulfilling their pledge. The members of Pacific Crew were up to the Challenge.

 The scenic waterway that is used as a practice course for Pacific became a one hundred mile stretch that symbolized the team’s dedication to their sport and to themselves. Coach Weir said it clearly, “You can be the best coach in the world, but they have to grab it someplace and own it.” Own it they did. Rowing an average of three to four shells throughout the weekend, with only a few hours to rest in between practices, each athlete rowed on average twenty five miles! That is no small feat considering on an average day of practice the team rows approximately two miles. Pacific Crew is determined to stand out and in the process have created a positive buzz throughout the collegiate rowing world and in the local media.

The Stockton community as well as the Pacific campus have taken an interest in Pacific Crew. On Sunday evening a large crowd gathered at Baun Fitness Center in anticipation of the Pacific Crew’s arrival after their strenuous weekend. The spectators were kept waiting. Due to a late afternoon launch, the team was behind in mileage. It was not about being on time for their reception, the most important thing for Coach Weir and the team was to fulfill their goal of rowing one hundred miles, which they exceeded. Due to shallow water, Pacific Crew arrived on foot, walking half a mile to greet their supporters. Cheers rang out from the crowd as the team ran along the levy carrying their men’s boat and oars.

By the end of it all the team looked as if they’d rowed one hundred miles Though there were complaints of sore muscles, blistering, and bloody hands, there was a sense of accomplishment. Team captain Whitney Royse summed it up, “We accomplished what we set out to do. We’re tired but we know that we achieved something great this weekend.” All of Pacific Crew’s sweat and effort have solidified the bond that has been growing stronger with each race and practice since the start of the season in September. The “Pacific to Pacific” fundraiser only improved the skills of a strong and united team that demands and deserves respect for all of their effort.

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