“DU CREW ON TWO!” rings out across the empty waters at 7 am sharp. Practice on the Cherry Creek Reservoir (“the Res” for short) has ended for the day. This is a crew of dedicated, probably exhausted, and slightly sea-sprayed rowers who are training for their spring season regattas.
Today, we sat down with Kylie Van Aken, current secretary of the University of Denver Club Rowing team. She touched on some common misconceptions about Crew, her past as a rower, and the future of the club.
1. Where are you from? Seattle, Washington
2. What year and major? I am a junior majoring in mechanical engineering.
3. Position on the Rowing Council? Secretary of the club rowing team
4. How long have you been a rower? I rowed for 4 years in high school and this is my second year rowing here at DU.
5. Favorite aspect of the sport, old sport? The connections I form with the other rowers. They’re the coolest people I have yet to find in my life.
6. What would you like the world to know about DU Crew? Rowing DOES NOT MEAN YOU HAVE STRONG ARMS!! More seriously, anyone can do it, the community is amazing and it is worth waking up early for. Coffee is a thing for a reason.
7. What are you excited about for the future of the club? It’s growing so much! I can’t wait for next year when there will be quality varsity boats and hopefully we will be able to travel to new places (west coast, best coast).