Sue Jacoby and Christine Wirth, a veteran and a rookie respectively, of the D.C. Strokes Rowing Club. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

In the continuing Blade series on the veterans and rookies that make up the LGBT sports teams in Washington, we take a look at two rowers from the D.C. Strokes Rowing Club.

The Strokes have wrapped up their winter dryland training and took to the Anacostia River for the first time this year just last week. The two women spotlighted here did not have sports backgrounds before joining the Strokes and have since redefined themselves as competitive athletes.

Christine Wirth, who is 25 and from Columbia, Md., noticed the Strokes at the Capital Pride parade and after graduating from the University of Maryland, decided to register for their Learn to Row program in the spring of 2014.

“I tried one semester of rugby in college, but other than academics, I had never been on a team,” Wirth says. “My only sports activities were recreational biking and running.”

Following the completion of her Learn to Row classes, Wirth attended a Strokes barbeque where the veterans were on hand to encourage the rookies to join the novice program.

Wirth signed on and during the first month of the novice program, the veterans serve as volunteer coxswains to help navigate the rookies in their boats so there are no crashes.

“The Strokes offer a lot of interaction with the veterans, which was important because I had so many questions,” says Wirth. “I also enjoyed the women of D.C. Strokes practices on Sundays.”

During the first year of the novice program, the rowers compete in one sprint race and three head races (longer distance). Wirth found that the sport agreed with her in several ways.

“It has been a crazy transition into being an athlete but it suits me really well,” Wirth says.  “You use all your muscles in the sport of rowing. Everything burns.”

Wirth completed her first year of winter training and will continue in the novice program this year and compete in four sprint races once the sprint series begins in June at the Stonewall Regatta which is hosted by the Strokes.

“It’s been great meeting people outside of the bar scene,” Wirth says. “I also just ran in my first Rock ‘n’ Roll half marathon and I could definitely feel the benefits of the extra cardio from the Strokes winter dryland training.”

Sue Jacoby also noticed the Strokes in the Capital Pride parades. When she was working on her doctorate, she also looked for them training as she crossed the river bridge. As a gift to herself for completing her Ph.D., she registered for the Learn to Row program in 2007, became hooked on the sport and never looked back.

Jacoby was raised in Florida, moved to D.C. 25 years ago and works as an educational administrator. She also had no experience as an athlete in high school or college.

“I had a phenomenal novice coach who helped me fall in love with rowing,” Jacoby says. “It is a combination of an individual and team sport. In the boat, you can be in sync with three or seven people only to have it change in a moment depending on the water or the team.”

Jacoby went on to join the competitive team and has since raced at USRowing Masters Nationals, the World OutGames and the prestigious Head of the Charles Regatta.

Jacoby is quick to point out that the sport requires a huge commitment. Practices are at 5:30 a.m. and it is often cold and dark. As a veteran, she knows it’s important to welcome rookies, teach them the basics and show them the things that will encourage them to remain in the sport.

“The rookies are the future life blood of the team,” says Jacoby. “They will play a critical role in the growth of the team and furthering the team.”

Jacoby goes on to say that the rookies bring a level of energy, enthusiasm and curiosity that reminds her of all the great things that come from the sport and how lucky she is to be a part of it.

“I am 50 years old and I am mentally, physically and strategically stronger and faster than I have ever been,” says Jacoby. “What I get from this discipline also includes those small moments in practice and racing that I will remember forever.”

Last year at the Head of the Charles, Jacoby watched 86-year-old Mary Stone from California compete in the Senior-Veteran Singles Division and felt some added inspiration.

“I think this is going to be my most competitive summer yet,” Jacoby says. “I love being an athlete.”

(Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)