Two rowers from the University of the Western Cape’s Rowing Club are off to Vermont in the United States for a leadership camp, which is held annually to spread the love for rowing and inspire youngsters under-represented in what is viewed as an elite sport.

UWC Rowing Club captain Curtley van Wyk and club president Luxolo Mlonyeni have been chosen to participate in the Arshay Cooper Leadership Camp from July 27 to August 1 in Craftsbury, Vermont. 

Mlonyeni, 23, who has been a member of the rowing club since 2023, said she met Arshay Cooper when he visited the club last year. This trip to the US will be her first trip out of South Africa.

“There will be a training camp and a bit of leadership workshops. I’m very, very excited! I never thought I would be going to America, especially on a trip where I don’t have to pay for anything, basically being taken care of. And (all) that’s thanks to the UWC Rowing Club, thanks to my coach, and Arshay for recognising our club and seeing the potential,” said Mlonyeni, who is studying for her Master’s in Environmental and Water Science.

Her first introduction to rowing was through an advert on Instagram, calling on those interested to join the rowing club. She signed up, and enjoyed the sport and her fellow club members. 

Mlonyeni was born in the Eastern Cape but spent most of her life in Cape Town, matriculating from Malibu High School in Blue Downs, where Van Wyk, 25, was also a learner. But at school they were not close at all. Now both are setting off to the US.

Van Wyk was an avid rugby player, but once he started at UWC, he said he wanted to try a new sport; however, rowing was the furthest thing from his mind.

“I was going to try out for basketball or tennis, but at that time, when they had those trials, I had work on those days. So unfortunately, I couldn’t attend those trials,” said Van Wyk.

He said that while scrolling through his Instagram feed, he happened upon the UWC Sport page, which had advertised. 

“Everyone just looked like they were having fun.  They were competing, and I was like, ‘I think I can do this,’ and that’s where my interest started. I DM’ed the account, and they responded to me. I started first rowing on the rowing machines, the ergs, and after that I started rowing sweep(rowing with one oar using both hands),” said Van Wyk, studying towards a BA in Sports and Exercise Science.

His first experience with rowing was challenging, by his own admission. “Your body needs to learn new motor skills”, he emphasised.

Van Wyk said he persevered, asked questions and worked at learning the new skills. He joined the club in July and had just over a month to prepare for a boat race in September. During his first water session, his coach, told him that he would not be ready for that race, but this proved to be motivation for the former blindside flank. 

“I became obsessed with it! I just wanted to learn more, excel in the sport, put in the hard hours and ask questions on Instagram. I watched videos on Youtube, trying to learn all the new terminology, body positions, techniques, when to put the blade into the water, when to feather, when to square…for me to make that adjustment was quite difficult,” said Van Wyk.

This trip will be his second to the camp after he went there for the first time last year. This time, he will be returning as an intern.

UWC Rowing Club has experienced tremendous growth with more participants and opportunities for rowers to compete and share their experiences, not just nationally but also internationally.