Girls-Row Boston: Rower/Coach Profile
By Kaitlin Herlihy
I am running the 2012 Boston Marathon to support Girls-Row (G-ROW) Boston. I wanted to profile a former rower from G-ROW to learn more about the program. Sandra Cardillo generously offered to let me interview her to get a sense of her experiences and the positive impact that G-ROW has had on her life.
KH: Thanks for speaking with me Sandra.
SC: My pleasure.
KH: How did you begin rowing with G-ROW?
SC: I moved to the United States from Guatemala in December 2003. I joined G-ROW in January 2004. I learned to row before I learned to speak English. In Guatemala, I was a national champion in fencing. When I moved to the United States, I was looking for a similarly challenging sport. With rowing, I got that and more. For rowing, you always have to be fast and strong, it keeps building. You can't stop. I had just arrived in the country and rowing was something completely different than what the other kids in the Boston Public Schools were doing. It was hard and complicated; but, for me, it was also an adventure- trying to figure out something new every day. I ended up rowing all through high school for two and half years and then stayed in close contact with the coaches after graduation.
KH: What was your experience like as a G-ROW rower?
SC: Rowing was an incredible experience and the best part of my day. To meet new people and get to spend 2-3 hours, three times a week with girls from different schools- it was like a family. Each rower in our boat came from a different school, but we still learned to work together and we were fast. We learned teamwork too. Fencing was a very individual sport; but, with rowing, you need every single rower or you cannot race. Teammates were also supportive and even though we had to work hard for only a six minute race, rowing was addictive. It inspired me to be even better and keep improving.
KH: What are you up to now?
SC: I am now a personal trainer and a novice coach for Boys-Row Boston. I am loving it! I am also an [informal mentor] for the G-ROW team too. I understand what they are going through because I did it myself. I can relate with the kids- I went to school and rowed, I know how hard it is to wake up at 6 am and not get home until 6 pm because you had a hard practice. By being a coach, I also learned all the efforts that coaches put into the program- like with recruiting and regattas. After they drop the kids off at 6 pm, the coaches might still be working for two hours after that.
KH: How did G-ROW help you find your career?
SC: G-ROW gave me the strength and a view of what I want. It gave me the opportunity to find what I liked. Sports and coaching is what I was meant to do. I am trying to do something good and make a difference.
KH: What does G-ROW mean to you?
SC: G-ROW is not just about rowing, but about more opportunities in life. It provides girls with a roadmap of how to get into college- tutors, study hall, information on scholarships, applications, essays. It gives kids a better chance and shows them more opportunities. It also gives them self-esteem.
KH: What are your next steps and future goals?
SC: Next, I am going to apply for a Sports Science degree at UMass or BU. I want to become a strength conditioning coach to teach athletes to reach their highest potential without getting injured. What G-ROW taught me is that if you work hard and really want it, you can do it.
