OVS senior Ben Cassidy recently received two gold medals for lightweight 4 and lightweight 8 rowing. But he wasn’t the only Cassidy to win a medal that day – Ben’s Dad, Larry Cassidy, also won his race at the US Regional Rowing Championship at Lake Natoma near Sacramento. While they did not share the same boat, they do share a newfound love for rowing.
Ben started rowing only three years ago, but so far he has won a total of 11 medals. His dad began one year later and received his first medal this year at Lake Natoma.
“I started by driving Ben and several of his teammates to and from [rowing] practice,” Mr. Cassidy said. “They were always so excited and enthusiastic about the practices. “I wanted to feel that excitement and enthusiasm, so I signed up. I was instantly hooked.”
Rowing is an incredibly hard sport.
It requires a lot of teamwork and strength. When rowing, the timing of each stroke must be just right, or the boat will slow down. It is for that reason that the father and son love the sport – they relish the challenge.
“I row because I enjoy it,” Ben said. “It’s a good challenge that’s very team reliant and everyone has to work together.”
Rowing isn’t the first sporting activity the father and son duo have done together.
They used to go mountain biking, until Ben’s Dad was involved in an unfortunate cycling crash. The two also like to relax together by watching Formula One races, along with L.A. Kings hockey.
Now, they both row for Lake Casitas Rowing Assn. Ben competes with other high school students as part of a team of four or eight. Ben’s dad, however, competes in the Masters Division, which is for adults.
They train at the lake up to four times a week, practicing on both land and water. The team improves its cardio and strength by running long distances and working out at the gym, mainly using a special indoor rowing machine. Both Ben and his Dad say they are in the best shape of their lives.
It is clear that Ben and his father share a mutual passion.
“Ben and I are really close,” Mr. Cassidy said. “I’m a lucky father.”