We've been back from Alabama for just under three days and I think I speak for everyone when I say that the countdown to next spring training has already begun. While the bus ride down had us all questioning our sanity, the moment we were able to get on the water, it was smiles the rest of the week. When we weren't on the water for one of our three daily practices, the rowers could be found soaking up the sunshine and becoming a strong, well-bonded team. From frisbee games to playing cards to surprise water balloons fights, laughter was always in the air and sun in the sky. We were lucky to have the weather on our side almost everyday and many practices were sunny with blue skies (which led to a few rowers, including myself, getting some unfortunate sun poisoning).

The training trip was an amazing experience for the team of rowers. I went around and asked a few of them to describe the trip in one word. The results varied from "legit" to "awesome" to "sublime" and were all positive. I decided to go a step further and ask our head coach about his thoughts on the trip. I wanted to know how he thought we performed as a whole team. His answer made everyone feel as though their hard work and blisters were worth it, "Spring break I think was one of the most successful camps that we've had. We got a lot accomplished and because we got a lot accomplished we're further along coming out of camp than we were in previous years. And so from that aspect, we feel more prepared which we had to be because we don't know what the weather is going to do to us. In that case we had to get ahead and the team was able to be up for that task. I think we have more skillful athletes and good team chemistry and I think that's why we were able to have such a successful camp".

But all good things have to come to an end and after a perfect week we all had to pack up the 
cottages. From Alabama we drove to Oakridge, Tennessee to scrimmage and put all our hard work to the test. Stay tuned for a recap on the Mercyhurst women's team scrimmage and start to what we hope to be a successful racing season.  

Want to see more Alabama photos? Go on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram and search the hashtag #hurstrowinbama15 to see what the women's team was up to during our time down south!