After six months of training, Steady State Network’s Allies with Oars’ first coastal – and first international – race is a wrap! Two Allies With Oars mixed 4x+ crews spent the better part of Aug. 25, 2024 circumnavigating an 88k course around Salt Spring Island in British Columbia, for Race Around the Rock, hosted by Salt Spring Island Rowing Club. We got a little bit of everything: flat water, rolling waves, eddies, boat wakes, seals, massive jellyfish, excitement at the start line, confidence, pain cave suffering, and elation at the finish line.

Post-race, and with beverages in hand, the team sat down together to relive some highlights (and low lights) and share what made the experience so meaningful.

Thanks to all our family and friends for volunteering to lend a hand throughout race weekend. We couldn’t have made it around this rock without you.

Thanks to our race sponsors: JL Racing, Live2Row Studios, and Racing Hands.

QUICK LOOK

00:00 - Episode Lead-In and Welcome

02:02 - Six months of training with Live2Row Studios

05:20 - Favorite part of the race

08:53 - Challenges of the race

14:45 - Imposter syndrome and getting hooked

16:36 - Race day success was only possible with a lot of help from teammates, friends, and family

20:55 - Race day firsts

22:25 - About the Allies with Oars initiative

26:25 - ”Thank yous”

28:46 - What’s up next for Allies?

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To see photos of the Allies with Oars crew, and get links to the people, clubs, and events mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes on our website.

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This episode was made possible in part by Live2Row Studios, Breakwater Realty, RowSource, and our Patrons.

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Steady State Podcast is written, produced, hosted, and edited by Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan. Tara provides additional audio engineering and is our sponsor coordinator. Rachel manages the website, social media, and e-newsletter. Our theme music is by Jonas Hipper.

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