Inspired by the dedication and enthusiasm of the University of Virginia’s women’s rowing team, photographer Sanjay Suchak has been sporting his camera during their practices, as well as those of the men’s club team, for several years, especially when held in the early mornings on the picturesque Rivanna Reservoir.
He invited this UVA Today writer (who has an MFA from the University of Virginia) to ponder and ply his photos for poetic inspiration. It turns out both of us put in brief stints with rowing teams while in college (more than a few years ago).
The University women’s varsity rowing team, with a roster of 80 student-athletes, practices under head coach Kevin Sauer, who’s in his 27th season after leading the club program for seven years. The Cavalier women, competing with varsity eight and varsity four boats, have won multiple ACC and NCAA championships.
On Sunday, they swept the races at the annual Rivanna Romp, topping teams from Clemson, Duke, Louisville, North Carolina and Southern Methodist universities and the U.S. Naval Academy.
The following poem unfolds with a stanza of free verse accompanying each image.
