Why RowLA Will Always be Home for Nora Basmajian!

I’ve been rowing with RowLA since 2020, and honestly, I had no idea what I was getting myself into back then. I thought rowing was just... rowing. I didn’t expect it to become such a huge part of my life, or that I’d still be here five years later.

When I first joined, I was intimidated. I wasn’t super athletic, and I definitely didn’t think of myself as someone who would be waking up at 4:30 a.m. to erg. But RowLA has completely changed that. It’s pushed me to my limits in ways I never expected, and it’s taught me that I can go so much further than I think. Even when my mind is screaming at me to stop, rowing has taught me to keep going, to not regret anything and to trust that I’ve got more in the tank.

That doesn’t mean it’s been easy. Technique has always been my biggest struggle... along with my own mindset. I’ve spent hours, days, maybe even weeks obsessing over my recovery, my catch, my feathering. And guess what? It’s still not perfect! But that’s the point. Rowing is one of those sports where you’re constantly chasing improvement. We spend so much time on the water, and even more time off of it, watching video, getting feedback, and trying to put it all together. It’s frustrating, but kind of addicting.

RowLA gave me the kind of confidence that doesn’t just apply on the water. It’s the kind of confidence that shows up in the classroom, in job interviews, in life. I’ve learned to be more disciplined, to communicate better (still working on that one...), and most importantly, to believe in myself even when I’m doubting everything else.

The RowLA community has been one of the most unexpected and important parts of my experience. The coaches start to feel like your second parents—whether they’re encouraging you, giving you a reality check, or hyping you up before a big piece. And the friendships I’ve made through this team? They mean the world to me. I’ve laughed, cried, argued, made up, and had some of the deepest conversations of my life with these girls. They’ve seen me at my best and my absolute worst, and they’ve stuck by me through it all.

I’ll be honest—I’m stubborn. I don’t open up easily, and I always think I’m right (working on that too...). But RowLA created a space where I felt safe to be myself. That’s rare. And that’s what makes this team so special.

Some of the biggest joys I’ve had were just being around the team. These girls became my people. And the racing, racing is on another level. When you’ve trained for months and finally line up at the start line, there’s nothing like it. The adrenaline, the pain, the absolute chaos of it all, it’s horrible and amazing at the same time. And when you actually win? It’s like every ounce of sweat, every 2K, every sore muscle—it all pays off.

One of my favorite regatta memories was when we went to San Diego to race. We had a blast. We raced in a 4 and won the B Final after a super tight sprint. The energy in the boat was crazy, we were dying, but we were all in it together. That feeling sticks with you.

And then there are the funnier moments—like Christmas Regatta. Everyone shows up dressed in holiday gear: Santa hats, jingle bells, elf costumes. It’s ridiculous and festive and totally chaotic. The vibes are always high, and honestly, I look forward to it every year. There’s nothing like rowing next to someone in a full-on reindeer onesie.

If I could go back and give advice to my beginner rower self, I’d say: be patient. You’re going to mess up. A lot. And that’s okay. Don’t compare yourself to the fastest girl on the team. Just keep showing up, learn from your mistakes, and take the wins when you get them—even the little ones.

Now, as I get ready to join a college team, it’s bittersweet. I’m excited for what’s next, but RowLA will always be home. It gave me so much more than just rowing. It gave me confidence, resilience, and people I’ll love forever.

To any girl out there who doesn’t think she can row: try. Seriously. If I can do it, you can too. Just show up, keep showing up, and you’ll be surprised what you’re capable of.