Nov. 1, 2005

Before we even rigged the boats for our first practice this fall, I knew there were big changes ahead for the Bucknell women's rowing team. With three new coaches, a new training program, and many new boats, all of us upperclassmen were preparing for the challenges and opportunities that this year would bring. One of our biggest adjustments turned out to be the large size of our incoming recruiting class. With 15 new ladies joining us from so many different high school rowing backgrounds, getting to know and trust each other would surely take work. That is especially true in a sport where unity is such an integral part of our success. We were eager to help our new teammates learn about Bucknell rowing and what makes our program so special.

After brainstorming about ways that we could bring such a large group together, we decided to spend an afternoon at the ClimBucknell course at a retreat center just down the road from campus. ClimBucknell is a ropes course designed to foster communication, leadership, and trust. By encouraging us to work together to meet mental and physical goals, we hoped that a day at ClimBucknell would be a fun way for us to challenge each other and learn more about our teammates and the dynamics of our group.

We chose to participate in the "low elements" portion of the course, focusing on problem solving and team-building exercises. With the help of the ClimBucknell facilitators, we developed strategies for meeting the objectives of each activity station. Whether we were finding a way to balance the entire group on a giant see-saw or crossing a long tightrope using only each other for support, we found that we needed the cooperation of every single member of our group. Some of the events required "handicaps", such as blindfolds for some members of the team. These activities showed the importance of trust and patience when a large group of individuals works together towards a common goal. For many, the highlight of the trip was the 70-foot vertical climbing tower and zipline element. Not only did this activity require an intense physical push, but also cooperation and faith in the relay team on the ground. Especially for those of us who are not particularly keen on heights, it was great to hear the cheers of support from teammates experiencing the same emotions.

I think that our trip to ClimBucknell was successful in even more ways than we had originally hoped. In addition to the lessons we learned though the actual course activities, we had a chance to see a different side of our teammates than we do out on the water or in the weight room. It was a great way to forget about our inhibitions and fears and have fun learning about what motivates our group. Though real trust and team bonding can only develop over time, we are off to a great start. I am truly impressed and inspired by the heart that I already seen in every single one of my new teammates, and I cannot think of another group of rowers and friends that I would want to pull with during my senior year.

-Christine Drasba '06