The annual KSC & Pilgrims Boat Club Dinner took place on Saturday 14 January 2023, rescheduled from September 2022. Last year’s Captain of Boats, Fatima Mansoor (LX 2017-22), delivered this speech.

When I joined the Boat Club in the Shells, I had never rowed before. I just thought I’d try something new. But I didn’t learn easily. It took me about two terms before I properly clocked how to row in the right direction and in that time had my fair share of mishaps. I fell out of an uncapsizable playboat; I capsized a single while pushing it off the pontoon and then capsized it again when I got back in. But from that point onwards rowing has been it for me.

One of the fondest memories was going to Bruges for races. Once we had to row through a massive storm. It was pouring rain, the waves were high and the wind was strong, but we all pulled together as a team while bailing water out of the boat. We were drenched and cold and ended up playing card games the rest of the day. But next day we raced, and the sense of accomplishment and pride in ourselves was unforgettable.

During my King’s rowing career I’ve been in two eights. The pandemic hit when I was in the fifth form and the whole crew was in lockdown with the essentials: an erg. We ended up doing a few virtual regattas which resulted in a few wins. It wasn’t the same as rowing, but it allowed us to stay connected with the sport while being cooped inside.

What truly made my year as captain so special were the emotional experiences we shared together. You always remember that first race in a boat that makes you feel this could actually go somewhere; the feeling of crossing the finish line knowing that everyone gave it 100% regardless of the result; the sense of accomplishment when setting a new personal best; the tears of joy after a hard-fought battle. And let's not forget the tears of frustration after not doing as well as we wanted but hey, at least we're consistent with our emotions!

What truly sets rowers apart is our resilience, both physical and mental. The ability to push through the pain, to keep going when our bodies want to give up, and to stay focused and composed under pressure. And I can assure you, there were plenty of times that I doubted myself, but my crewmates (with our “crewnity”); the support of the coaches; and the mental strength I had developed through rowing helped me to keep going. There is one erg that has always stuck in my mind. It was a 30 minute test and I was on a complete ‘fly and die’. I was so ready to get off but Mr Williamson sat by me and he said, “Fatima, if you get off that erg your mind will get used to quitting and it’ll get harder and harder to finish those ergs because your mind knows there’s always that way out”. So I finished it. That lesson has always helped me whenever I’m facing something that feels impossible.

So, remember that rowing is not just about physical strength, the wattage, the 2k splits… It's about the resilience, determination, and hard work. But also about having fun and enjoying that journey with your teammates. It’s about developing that strong mental state that helps us to push through the tough times and to overcome any challenges that come our way in and out the boat. Let's raise a glass to the memories we've made, the lessons we've learned, and the bonds we've formed. Here's to another great year of rowing, good times and continued success for our Club. Cheers!