Forever Pirates -- Dylan Goodman
This week's edition of Forever Pirates features former men's rower Dylan Goodman, who rowed for the Orange Coast College"Giant Killers" from 2013-15.
Fresh out of high school, I found myself browsing the campus for OCC's freshman orientation. I naturally gravitated towards the football tent, hoping to gain a starting spot and a free ride to one of our Cal State Universities.
However, on my way over I was cut off by two of the largest men I had ever seen holding a 9-foot oar on their shoulders like a limbo stick. These twin brothers were each 6'8, 250 lbs, and insisted that I walk under the oar for their "social experiment". After having to duck, they handed me the clip board simultaneously said, "IF YOU DUCK, YOU SIGN UP!"
Flashing forward to my first day, I showed up in shorts, sneakers and a sweatshirt not knowing what to expect. I almost wasn't sure if I was in the right place; there was 60 other dudes walking around with no shirt, no shoes, no pants … ONLY SPANDEX! What had I gotten myself into!? Regardless of the oarsman apparel, I was stunned by how beautiful the boathouse was and how many medals filled the rooms! Not to mention the location right in the heart of the harbor. This place just felt like home.
The Coast Crew family opens their arms to anyone and everyone who wants to rise and take part in the incredible journey. Young men and women of all different sizes, shapes, backgrounds and aspirations band together to form a squad like no other ... THE GIANT KILLERS! Over the years, these athletes pick up scholarships throughout the United States, they travel the world collecting various medals, and some even represent our country in the Olympics. The sky is the limit!
In rowing, it is a tradition that after a race, the losing team takes the shirt off their back and gives it to the victor. Halfway through my first spring racing season at Coast, I already had a bin filled to the brim! And we aren't competing against community colleges in the area … we compete against four-year universities across the nation like UCLA, Notre Dame, Virginia, and Michigan. So how is it that a little community college in Orange County can compete with these monster schools? There isn't some secret hidden up our sleeve; we are able to win by training harder than everyone else, building speed both on and off the water, analyzing the most minuscule movements of the stroke with our elite coaching staff, and investing blood sweat and tears for a 6-minute race that will be praised for years to come. Coast Crew isn't in the business of teaching people how to row a boat ... we are in the business of breeding champions.
I will never forget lining our boats at the start line for the ACRA National Championship in Gainesville, GA. After a year of excruciating work, my brothers and I sit with our blades prepped in the water, patiently waiting for those two little words from the marshal: ATTENTION, ROW! We are off, and what once was a peaceful scene had turned into a battlefield as the wight final crews sprint down the 2000-meter course. Halfway through the race, all eight boats are still even at the 1000-meter marker. It was at this moment that the switch turned on for my boys and I as we took a strategized series of 10 power strokes, we began breaking away from the competition inch, by inch, by inch. 200 meters were left, and these last 45 seconds of the race would determine our legacy. Heart pounding, legs throbbing, fingers holding on for dear life at the ends of our oars, we take our last five strokes to cross the finish line as the fastest boat in the nation. The pure rush of adrenaline, along with our heavy roar that echoed throughout the entire course … this is what it was all for.
The Coast program had blessed me with the opportunity of transferring to George Washington University in Washington, D.C. I was able to continue my athletic and academic career while experiencing what life is like on the other side of our country. Coast also gave me some of my closest friends who will stick by my side for the rest of our lives, as well as precious memories to share with my great-grandchildren one day. I was even fortunate enough to return to the program post-grad for a year of coaching. When it comes down to it, Coast gave me something that changed my life; I am truly honored to be a part of the Coast Crew family. GO COAST!
