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02/01/2005 09:59:59 PM · #1 |
Hello all,
I'd just like to share the story behind my 'Best of 2004' submission:
Last year my girlfriend, Shona (closest to the camera), qualified to be one of the four Canadian lightweigt rowers to compete for two spots in the lightweight double (sculling, with two oars) at the Olympics in Athens. There are only two lightweight spots on the Olympic team, so the competition is incredibly tight. For this, she had to move to London, Ontario in the spring, leaving me behind for two months. We hadn't been seeing each other very long at that point, so it was a really hard experience for both of us.
To make matters worse, and to make a long story short, she didn't make the team. Uncontrollable tears on the other end of a long-distance phone call, after 4 years of 6-day, 50-hour training weeks and living below the poverty level, and to miss a boat by 2 people was beyond heartbreaking. I'd just found out that I got into grad school, however, so I quit my job and headed to London to be there with her.
The good news was that, to make another long story short, she made the World Championships quad (four girls) with the other girl who didn't make the Olympic team, and two other girls in the national team training pool. Their destination was Banyoles, Spain, at the end of July. Not doing much but bumming in London and doing a bit of training myself (I'm a distance runner) I was designated team photographer. I spent one morning taking a few shots for some fundraising stuff they were doing, ending up with the shot I eventually entered in the competition. It was one I actually overlooked for a while.
    
Rowing is a tricky thing to photograph. Mostly I was in the coach boat, but this particular time I was just on the dock as I had no driver. I walked to the other side of the lake, and, much to my delight, a fat kid from Colorado (Army brat in town with his family for the airshow that was whizzing over our heads) wanted to jump off the dock.
Took him about 20 minutes for him to decide to go. He also didn't realise that he had his shorts on backwards.
      
So I booked a flight to Europe, to go to Amsterdam and then make my way down to Banyoles, just north of Barcelona. Some of the photos from that trip are here.
When I got to Banyoles, it was one of the most frustrating experiences I could have imagined. Hot, small, tiny campground that was noisy as hell, and only being able to spend about 30 minutes of the day with Shona. Being lonely thousands of miles away from home and having someone you love so close but unable to have much contact with is an experience I don't want to repeat. Having, for so long, being the boyfriend who was always training and racing and being selfish, it was my turn to take the heat.
I buggered off to Seville for a few days to do something different. It was even hotter there, but a lotta fun as I partied my butt off with some Australians and drank beer in the 50 degree (yes, Celsius) weather.
Got back to Banyles to watch the racing. I again went through great frustration, for the first day I couldn't get a ticket and all indications were that the rest of the week was (very surprisingly) sold out. Rowing Canada's media person came through, though, and I got a pass for the dock with the rest of the white lens boys for the rest of the week, which was awesome. Less awesome was me getting sunstroke on the last day, with 40 degrees in the shade and me spending 3 hours on a black dock. After the 50 degrees in Seville it didn't seem so bad...
What was even better was getting to be front and center to watch both Canadian lightweight quads medal, with Shona and her crew taking a silver medal behind China and ahead of the US in third.
   
It was kinda bittersweet for them all, being in that position instead of in Athens (Gen Meredith, on the right, went as a spare which is almost worse than not going at all) but a great relief to be done with.
I finally had a chance to spend some time with Shona, out to dinner in a neighbouring town later that night
and then to the stunning Costa Brava for a few (very expensive) days of bliss.
 
Such is the life.
James.
Message edited by author 2005-02-01 22:04:24.
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02/01/2005 10:10:50 PM · #2 |
What a great story! Sounds like a trip you will cherish the rest of your life. Congrats to shona, and I just think that series of the kid with his shorts on backwards are awesome! I am still laughing at them! Your entry was excellent also! All my best to y'all!
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02/01/2005 10:18:08 PM · #3 |
Thanks for taking the time to share the story behind the scenes.
Precious memories forever. Your life will always be richer for being able to share these times with Shona, and having the skill to photograph these times so well.
Thanks again James.
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02/01/2005 10:26:12 PM · #4 |
Amazing story.....
The fat guy was a great break in the very intense story.
Thanks so much for sharing. |
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02/01/2005 10:40:51 PM · #5 |
Oh...and I should add that this is now my 8th top 10 placing with no ribbon. Grrr. What's the record? Anyone know?
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02/02/2005 12:03:02 AM · #6 |
Wonderful story...Thanks for sharing.
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02/02/2005 12:07:30 PM · #7 |
Being born in Sevilla, I have always wondered why "giris" (foreigners in Sevillian language) visit the city under 50 C and dare to walk (for fun!) at 15:00 , je, je... but I notice you enjoyed also the sevillian night, with 30 C and a lot of life!
Maybe, You return to sevilla with your girlfriend, the city has magnific rowing facilities in the river!
Anyway, congrats for your best of 2004 challenge! |
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02/02/2005 02:01:58 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by jimmythefish:
I buggered off to Seville for a few days to do something different. It was even hotter there, but a lotta fun as I partied my butt off with some Australians and drank beer in the 50 degree (yes, Celsius) weather.
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Hey man, that's where I live at!! ;) You cannot get outta here at noon for a walk during summer, you must wait till things cold down a little... and then have beer during the night at the river banks!
You did pretty good on best of 2004, the pic's great, I like the parallel lines of the four rowers and the dreamy mood the soft focus gives. Congrats to Shona too for her silver medal.
Thanks for sharing, next time you come 'round gimme a call! |
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02/02/2005 02:02:03 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by greslizzz:
Being born in Sevilla, I have always wondered why "giris" (foreigners in Sevillian language) visit the city under 50 C and dare to walk (for fun!) at 15:00 , je, je... but I notice you enjoyed also the sevillian night, with 30 C and a lot of life!
Maybe, You return to sevilla with your girlfriend, the city has magnific rowing facilities in the river!
Anyway, congrats for your best of 2004 challenge! |
SO! 're you from Sevilla?... from your profile...
Name: Fe Oly
Location: Helsinki
That's quite far away, lad! WTH 're you doing there, escaping from heat? ;) it was -2ºC last week, you can come back now :D
You know, "guiris" are a little crazy, they can come here during spring and have a much sweeter weather, but they come in August when no Sevillian is here (we're all out on the beach, for sure ;)
Regarding rowing facilities, Sevilla's are ranked among the best, I have a co-worker who does rowing and tells me there are teams from all over Europe all the year round.
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02/02/2005 03:14:05 PM · #10 |
Heya...yeah Shona rowed in Seville a few years ago at the World Champs there, where she and another girl qualified the double for Athens. It's a beautiful city. I didn't really have a choice when I visited, but I agree that it was definitely too hot. All the locals thought I was crazy, too. Fortunately my hostel room was air conditioned, so I'd take breaks and head back and watch the Tour de France and then head out later in the evening.
Yes, did drink along the river a night, which was a blast. Spaniards sure know how to party! I almost didn't get back to my hostel I was so drunk. The people in Seville and in Spain in general were just awesome. I have the opportunity to study next fall in Barcelona, which I may take. The opportunity to travel and take photographs and go to school in Spain for 4 months might be too difficult to pass up.
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