Pacific Index

The Pacific Rowing Team Welcomes a New Coach

The sound of animated conversation is heard from the boat house at Henry Hagg Lake as the rowers carry their boats and oars down to the lapping teal water. The lake, a hidden gem tucked within an evergreen forest and deep set mountains, is home to the practice grounds of our very own Pacific rowing team. Beginning practice only a few weeks ago, the team has begun its yearly onboarding of enthusiastic new teammates—including warmly welcoming their new coach, Claire Ratcliff. 

Although the team has not yet competed in a regatta, the excitement for the upcoming season permeates the attitudes of the rowers. “Even though we’ve only had about two weeks of practice, it’s been going really good,” says Ava Gardner, a freshman on the JV team. As the rowers warm up for the Charlie Brown regatta on October 26 and 27, they have been consistently honing their rowing skills at both Lake Hagg and the erg machines at the Stoller Center. Gardner explains the plethora of skills that Coach Ratcliff has been implementing into practices, such as pick drills and erging a 5k. Not only this but the practice of feathering, which if you are as unfamiliar with rowing terminology as I was, means when the spoon of the oar is parallel to the water. While that may sound simple, it is anything but.

“She is doing very well,” comments Angelina Dominguez, a current junior on the varsity rowing team. “She helps each individual with feedback on technique to make sure we work as a team.” 

A Pacific University alumni, Ratcliff shares a passion for the rowing community as well as the individual members of the team. “Coach Claire spends a lot of time focusing on the individuals, even if they are not on varsity, to improve as much as they can,” Dominguez mentions. Regarding how the rowers only have one regatta in the autumn term, much of what the team has been working on is member cohesion and community building. In return, this ensures a seamless season out on the water.

“Overall, it’s been really fun and I’ve made a ton of awesome friends,” expresses Ari Ghazzagh, an onboarding JV rower. With these ties and connections amongst teammates, not only has the team itself grown stronger, but so have friendships outside of practice. 

“Everyone’s super helpful and supportive because a lot of us are coming in with no experience,” adds JV stroke seat Isabella Mclver. 

Coach Ratcliff is only now into her first few weeks at the job. “I have a very clear idea of where the program has been, and where it can go, giving a clearer long-term picture,” explains Radcliff. While Coach Radclif has high expectations for the rowers, JV and varsity, she ensures that, “I’ve tried to implement a small shift of mentality to give the perspective that each practice is an opportunity to work toward individual and team goals.” 

“I’m so glad to be back at Pacific. It feels like coming home,” reflects Radcliff, which is apparent when she enthusiastically leads the team out on the water. With a short drill call over the megaphone and the movement of the oars, the team seems to be settling into the flow of rowing. “I look forward to coaching them to continue their momentum and to introduce more athletes to the sport and to the team!” Radcliff states excitedly.

October 26 and 27 marks the first and last regatta of the fall, at the Charlie Brown race in Portland.