George Washington University Athletics
Catching Up With Trofym Anderson '14
6/28/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Rowing
The past, present and future of George Washington men's rowing will be on display at next week's Henley Royal Regatta.
In addition to the 10 current student-athletes that are competing in the Visitor's Challenge Cup, a pair of GW Rowing alumni will be on the Thames River for their respective opportunities for rowing glory.
Alex DeSordo '07 will compete with the Baltimore Rowing Club in the Britannia Challenge Cup and Trofym Anderson '14 will represent his native Canada and the Victoria City Rowing Club in the Grand Challenge Cup, the oldest and best-known event at the Henley Royal Regatta.
The seven-team field in the Grand Challenge Cup is loaded with the best of the rowing world, including the Dutch National Team that is expected to contend for the gold medal at the Rio Olympics.
Anderson is no stranger to international competition. He has trained and competed in Canada's developmental system for years and won a Gold Medal in the Coxed Four event at the 2014 Under 23 World Rowing Championships in Varese, Italy.
GWsports.com: What have you been up to since graduating from GW, both professionally and athletically?
Anderson: Since graduating from GW with my Masters last May, I've been training full time with the Canadian national rowing team based in Victoria, British Columbia. I literally moved home from college and then three days later across the continent to BC. We train seven days a week and two-to-three times a day, so rowing has been a full-time job for me. A typical day consists of one or two water sessions followed by either an erg, weight or core session. In my off time I like to stay connected with my GW Professor, Dr. Neirotti, and collaborate with her on an Olympic project as that is what my Masters research was focused on.
GWsports.com: Have you ever competed at Henley or been there as a spectator? What does it mean to compete at this world-renowned event and at the same time be representing Canada?
Anderson: I have never competed at Henley or even been to the town of Henley so this opportunity is definitely an exciting one. Henley is the last regatta on my "regatta bucket list" to race. San Diego Crew Classic was also on the list and I had the opportunity to check that off with GW during my senior spring. It was truly an amazing experience made even better by Coach Davis' extensive knowledge of San Diego breakfast locations. It is always an honor to race for and represent Canada. Knowing you have your nation backing you is an extremely empowering feeling. Canada has a strong tradition in The Grand Challenge Cup so we're all focused on upholding that this year.
GWsports.com: How is training going for Henley? Is it any different than the training you put in prior to your Gold Medal run with Canada at the 2014 Under 23 World Rowing Championships?
Anderson: Training for Henley has been going well and flying by. We spent a lot of time in pairs (2-) and fours (4-) training side-by-side for race pieces and steady state which has really paid dividends now that we're in "the ocho" (the 8+). One of the biggest differences I've found with training as a full-time rower compared to college is the increased volume and intensity of steady state sessions. That is, sessions where your heart rate isn't peaking but instead maintaining a solid workload for long durations (90+ minutes). That increase in speed and work at steady state is not something you see at the college level and has really translated well into making our eight go fast at race pace.
GWsports.com: How did it feel as an alum when you found out your alma mater was going to Henley to represent George Washington rowing on the world stage?
Anderson: I was excited to hear about the trip. Throughout my time at GW we often discussed a trip to Henley but just weren't ready. Like Coach Davis has mentioned, Henley is a much different regatta in that you can be eliminated the first day and be done competing. Therefore, you need to be very confident in your crew before making the trip. Going to the World Championships just for the national team gear and getting destroyed isn't fun. The same thing goes for Henley. Although an amazing experience, getting destroyed ruins the entire thing. I believe Coach Davis made the right choice this year in sending two competitive fours. As well, it is a bonus that both crews are so young. This will definitely provide a positive impact in their individual athletic development and on the team for years to come.
GWsports.com: Do you have any advice for the GW oarsman that are making the trip and competing? Are you hoping to catch up with he coaching staff and student-athletes while abroad?
Anderson:My advice to the GW boys is to go full throttle to the barrier, get ahead, have a solid shift to pace and wash the other crew out the rest of the way. It's Henley!!! I'm very much looking forward to seeing Coach Davis, Coach Gunick and Coach Rumpf, as well as my paison and past roommate, Jordan Tewksbury-Volpe. It is always comforting being around my old crew.
Players Mentioned
