A rower’s perspective

PRO DRYBAG 45L

A rower’s perspective

It is a constant quest for speed without a knowable answer”

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Name: Stephen Hap Whelpley
Age: 32 years old
Background: Professional sculler, specialized in MX1. From Vermont, USA
Currently: Steve has his goal set on the World Rowing Championship 2016.

Train, eat, sleep, repeat. This is how Steve Whelpley, US Rower and a member of TEAM SUBTECH, describes his ordinary daily routines. And he hadn’t made it to where he is today without putting huge amount of effort at what he does. The sculler is currently preparing for the World Rowing Championship 2016, and Steve’s fluent way of describing his passion for rowing is something out of the ordinary. But a passion doesn’t automatically means you always love what you do. Steve explains his story further..

At what age did you start rowing, and when did it become a true passion of yours?
I’ve rowed long enough and made enough sacrifices for it that it’s become a love/hate relationship.  I started when I was 16 years old with a group of buddies. I had an Uncle that did it back in the day who I aspired to be like. From there, I rowed at University and then created a life that revolved around it.  At times, it was a tall order to commit to just rowing, so it was hard to really be in love with it. Now though, late in the game, I’ve finally regained perspective and see a beauty in the complexity of its dichotomies: smooth yet powerful, fast yet patient, fluid yet consistent, and so on.

What was your main experience from the World Rowing Championships 2014 that you can carry with you for the next Championships?
The main takeaway from the 2014 Worlds is that change is inevitable. Whether you want it or not, it will happen. We had a good crew and an awesome third World Cup. We just wanted to keep doing the same thing in the sense of success, but that would require change on our part. Meanwhile, every other crew is also changing intentionally or unintentionally. It is a constant quest for speed without a knowable answer.

Describe your communication with your teammates before and during a race?
I sat 2 seat in the U.S.’s 2014 Mens Quad, which meant I was supposed to make the majority of the calls. Some days my teammates appreciate that, while other days, they could use a serious break from it. Before the race, we’re mostly in our own minds. It’s hard to know exactly what a person might need at a given time.  For the race though, we script it all out: what calls to make when, how many hard strokes to take where, etc. Within that, I make calls in the moment. The most memorable thing for me though is when the calls are done, when we’re in the red buoys and I don’t have a breath to spare as we come into the last 250m.

How does a typical day look like during season vs off season?
Pretty similar. Rowing doesn’t have much of a down time. 3/4s of the year is spent building a base to utilize for the other quarter of the year. I crosstrain a little more when not in race season by biking, hiking, or swimming, but that’s become an important part of my training year round as well. In the off season though, I’ll do a little more of it. In September this year, I went for a ride that extended the length of Vermont on one road, covering over 200 miles in one day. For the most part though, it’s train, eat, sleep, repeat. Generally, I stay pretty on task, but I’ll let loose right at the end of the seasons (September) once and a while. This year I tried waterskiing and paid the price of a torn hamstring.  I’m healing up well though and strengthening my other weaknesses in the meantime. Plan to come back bigger and stronger.

What’s your impression so far of the PRO DRYBAG 45L?
I spend a lot of time by the water, so it’s a no brainer. It’s really sweet to be able to bring my gear right down to the dock or better yet have important stuff ride along in the coach’s launch in case we need it. It’s a sweet bag. I just wonder if it could have somehow saved my hamstring when waterskiing!

If your dreams don’t scare you, they aren’t big enough

Pro Drybag

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Wille’s upcoming season

If your dreams don’t scare you, they aren’t big enough”

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Name: Wille Lindberg
Age: 30 years old
Background: Professional freeskier from Sweden
Currently: Premiere of the exteme sportmovie, Nuit de la Glisse 27/11. Competing on the Freeride World Tour with start in Andorra 23rd of January.

 

In recent years he’s been one of the top riders in the Freeride World Tour, and next year he will compete once again. He is currently contributing in the premiere of the ski film Nuit de la Glisse on November 27th, in France. But Wille Lindberg, professional freeskier and one of the athletes in TEAM SUBTECH, has more unforeseen future plans ahead than so. Who would have thought a professional skier had such an interest in sailing, that he actually decides to explore the north of Norway, by boat? We dig deeper..

How did you come up with the idea to buy a boat and what is your immediate plan?
I wanted to learn to sail and explore the ocean.

Last you we’re seen shooting a trailer, “Don’t Crack Under Pressure”, with Nuit de la Glisse. What is it about?
Nuit De La Glisse is an extreme sport movie. I’m representing the skiing part and it has been tons of fun making the movie. Flying heli and skiing lines.

What are your feelings for the upcoming Freeride World Tour?
My idea is to be relaxed and ski lines that I like. Looking forward to the first competitions. If it’s fun I will continue.

What do you do to stay focused and how do you prepare for this kind of contest?
It’s a life time of preparations. Right know I’m handling it a bit more relaxed, not thinking too much of it. It´s just a run. I know how to ski so shouldn’t be any problem.

How has the PRO DRYBAG 45L had impact on your travels?
Dry, easy to carry and it looks cool too.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

6000km, 142 marathons, thru 8 countries, unassisted!

6000km, 142 marathons, thru 8 countries, unassisted!

From time to time you encounter stories that amazes you, stories that are quite difficult to grasp. Olly Woolrych’s story is one of those. Imagine yourself running five marathons a week, for half a year, with a total distance of almost 6000 km. Running through every single country in Central America, from Mexico City to Panama City, with one message: to help raise awareness for depression in young people. He will thereby be the first person to navigate through all eight countries, unassisted! The first reflection that comes to mind is basically what motivates a person to accomplish such a challenge, and the journey hasn’t been easy. Entering the last country, Panama, as well as the end of his incredible journey, Olly’s feelings are a bit mixed.

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