“THE WALL: THAT SPONTANEOUS FATIGUE WHICH, IN LESS THAN A SINGLE STROKE, SEEMS TO SAP EVERY OUNCE OF PHYSICAL AND MENTAL ENERGY WE POSSESS.”

We have all felt it. It is a single, inescapable experience that rowers must confront, regardless of skill level or endurance. The abrupt onset of pure exhaustion we all dread, which swoops like a buzzing from the tips of our fingers as they latch onto oars, across our suddenly leaden shoulders, down to our hips which, in an instant, seem to sag into the finish rather than arrive at it, through our legs as if leaving a trail of molasses, all the way down to our feet which themselves seem to remain in the boat only because of a few strips of velcro. It is The Wall: that spontaneous fatigue which, in less than a single stroke, seems to sap every ounce of physical and mental energy we possess.

Most rowers will concede that single half stroke where they first feel its onset, allowing a mere second of hesitation as they take stock of this new, yet familiar challenge. It’s what they decide next that determines victory.

In less than the time it takes to draw their next breath, each rower needs to find a way to break through The Wall. They need to find the capacity for another stroke, for another hundred strokes, for another two hundred strokes. That capacity is not all physical, in fact I’d say it’s less than 10% a physical battle. No, the real arsenal we have against The Wall is psychological.