While some Cards choose to race on land, others flock to the Willamette River.
Having a school near a river makes participating in water sports accessible. Sailing and rowing are not Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) sanctioned activities. Despite this, they still create communities at Lincoln.
Many Lincoln students who sail do so with the Willamette Sailing Club (WSC). The sailors race in pairs, attempting to cross a designated area as fast as possible using the wind.
Sailing is a club sport, with the WSC being composed of students from across the district. Lincoln students have formed their own teams when competing, as 12 Lincoln students are a part of WSC. The team is divided into two fleets, an intermediate blue fleet, and a more advanced red fleet.
In competition, sailors participate in a series of races, which are referred to as regattas. They race in C420 and CFJ boats, both are meant for two sailors and tailored for youth. The amount of races in one regatta varies based on weather conditions, but usually happens over one to two days. Points are given, which are equal to the participants’ placement in individual races. The result of the regatta is based on the team with the least amount of points.
It’s freshman Trinity Ashton’s fourth year on the team.
“I really love… how it feels when you’re sailing,” said Ashton. “It just feels really freeing and it’s an activity that I love to do.”
Sailing also gives students opportunities to connect with students from other schools at regattas. Junior Jo Emery reflects on this unique opportunity.
“It gives me a chance to meet people from other schools, [and] other states,” said Emery, “I have friends who live in Seattle because I met them through sailing. The community that you build is also really great.”
Other students race on the waters through rowing. In contrast to sailing, the boats are propelled by the rowers paddling using oars. Competitions are decided by one race, in which crews compete side by side, trying to reach the finish line first.
Most rowers at Lincoln row with either Rose City Rowing, located near the Tilikum Crossing Bridge, or Oregon Rowing Unlimited, which is next to Oaks Park.
Both teams offer students opportunities to participate in competitions, with regionals happening in May, and teams can then qualify for nationals, which happen in June.
Despite the sport being demanding, with constant practices that leave participants with blisters, the heavy dependence on teamwork leads successful crew mates to create extremely close connections.
Sophomore Aiden Bilstrom reflects on the effects that this teamwork has created.
“I just love the atmosphere of it,” said Bilstrom. “I’ve gotten to meet so many cool people through it and just formed a really deep bond.”