Silver Lining

Orlando Area Rowing Society director

Kirstin Anderson is celebrating her 25th anniversary with the organization she said has changed her life.

5

The No. 1 seed Dr. Phillips girls basketball team crushed Harmony Thursday, Feb. 9, with a 70-9 beatdown to open the Class 7A Girls Basketball State Tournament (Region 2). The Panthers were scheduled to face Vero Beach Tuesday, Feb. 14, after press time. Central Florida Christian Academy defeated Legacy Charter 8010 to open the Class 2A Girls Basketball State Tournament (Region 2) and was scheduled to face Orlando Christian Tuesday, Feb. 14. Both Windermere Prep and The First Academy lost in the first round of the Class 3A Girls Basketball State Tournament (Region 2) Thursday, Feb. 9. The Lakers fell 57-21 to No. 1 seed Seffner Christian, while the Lakers lost 54-11 to No. 3 Holy Trinity (Melbourne).

ANNABELLE SIKES

NEWS EDITOR

Twenty-five years is a long time to be doing anything, but for Kirstin Anderson, Orlando Area Rowing Society director, the time has passed in the blink of an eye, and she said she still has more work to do.

Throughout the years, the team has relied on Anderson’s consistency, dedication and discipline to grow physically and developmentally from six boats to 48 boats with more than 200 members, including middle- and high-school athletes.

“Our mission is just to develop athletes,” Anderson said. “It’s not really about winning races — that comes as kids develop correctly. But it’s really about taking them where they’re at, making them better, helping them improve, seeing them believe in themselves. … That’s the greatest part to watch.”

Community Coach

As a seventh-grade science teacher at Windermere Preparatory School, Anderson came to realize early in her coaching career she’s a stickler for doing things the right way. She noticed some of the OARS coaches in the past did not have the same level of experience to offer the children.

“That was the most fun for me,” Anderson said. “Those initial first years — where the kids almost had no clue what they were doing. Seeing the learning curve and the success that came from that was such a rewarding experience to be a part of. They were so passionate and fun to be around. … Now it’s just part of me. I couldn’t not do it.”

Although Anderson’s role has evolved throughout the years — from women’s coach to men’s coach and director — her mission has remained the same: help children develop and become good citizens.

About Oars

The Orlando Area Rowing Society began in 1989 with the purpose of bringing the benefits of rowing to everyone in Central Florida. For more than a quarter of a century, the club has been attracting and creating enthusiasts in the sport by organizing and sponsoring rowing activities from its base at Kelsey Boathouse on the shore of Little Lake Down in Windermere. OARS rowers range in age from middle school through high school and well into adulthood.

Source: oarsrowing.com

Being a director of the program brings more administrative work, but Anderson has the ability to not only educate the athletes but also her strong roster of coaches, as well. “Coaching is so much more than doing well in the physical sport,” she said. “It’s the lessons they learned well beyond. It’s hard work. Being able to show up and work with other people as a team. It’s perseverance. Never giving up on yourself and learning the process. That, to me, the older I get, those values are so much more than the medals. … Everything today is progressing so fast that sometimes good oldfashioned work ethic is so important to learn.”

Another reward for Anderson is watching children develop into athletes who did not think they had the potential.

“A lot of times, parents will shove kids toward rowing if they’ve already tried other things with no success,” she said. “It’s nice to get the kids away from the technology and get them outside. Yes, the lake is beautiful, but rowing is actually one of the most grueling sports there is; and it’s a full-body sport.”

SEE CELEBRATING PAGE 2B