On Saturday, February 24^th, members of the 1958 team that defeated the Soviets in Moscow returned to Conibear Shellhouse to dedicate our newest Men's Pocock 8+ in the Washington fleet: The Swiftsure/Alumnus. On hand were John Bisset (cox); Roger MacDonald (3-seat); Dick Erickson's (2-seat) wife Irma; and Bob Svendsen (bow), along with extended family and friends.
 
Why two names for the shell? Donated by the Ambrose family in the spring of 1958, the original shell was christened as the Alumnus and shipped off to Henley. But once the men arrived, the team and coaches decided to name her the Swiftsure because it was "less clunky and sounded better" according to John Sayre, the stroke of the team (and future Olympic gold medalist). The press – including a young Keith Jackson working for KOMO who broadcast the race live back to Seattle - picked up the name, and from then on every report coming back to Seattle noted the men rowing in the Swiftsure.
 
The team would lose at Henley to the Soviets, but were invited for a re-match in Moscow. Once behind the Iron Curtain, the men became less interested in the shell name, and more focused on exacting revenge. Which is what they did, rowing the Alumnus – clearly spelled out in photos on the bow of the shell - across the line on the Khimki Reservoir in one of the greatest upsets in the history of collegiate rowing. "It was the Alumnus that won in Moscow, so let's celebrate that," said head men's rowing coach Michael Callahan. "But everyone knew her as the Swiftsure, so we are keeping that as well. It makes for a great story."
 
A great story indeed, made even greater by the fact that upon arrival at Henley that year, enclosed with the Washington oars was the now famous "Rowing a Race is an Art" poem by George Pocock. Sitting back in the Champions Room after the inauguration ceremony, the men read the original poem aloud together, a moving moment that captured the essence of Washington Rowing, even 60 years later. "George Pocock wrote those words to these men, but it is like it was written for everyone who has ever rowed. It is a timeless masterpiece that captures our sport to the core... or as Pocock might say - to its spirit," said Coach Callahan.


 
Written on the paper that wrapped the oars, this is what George Pocock wrote to the men of 1958:
 
"Rowing a race is an art not a frantic scramble, it must be rowed with head power as well as muscular power.
 
From the first stroke, all thoughts of the other crew must be blocked out.
 
Your thoughts must be directed to you and your own boat, always positively, never negative.
 
Row your optimum power every stroke, try and increase the optimum.
 
Men as fit as you, when your everyday strength is gone, can draw on a mysterious reservoir of power far greater. Then it is you who can reach for the stars.
 
That is the only way champions are made. That is the legacy rowing can leave you. Don't miss it."