Cultural Connections at IUI made their first appearance at the 16th Annual Regatta on Saturday, Sep. 29 in Military Park. The first-year organization rowed their canoes on an overcast and intermittently rainy day in Indianapolis. While the weather posed challenges, Cultural Connections managed to complete their first Regatta as an organization.
Cultural Connections, an organization whose purpose is to form a community of students of various cultures, had two canoes in the race. The first two to row for Cultural Connections were sophomore Kate Jones, the organization’s conversation chair and member Salim Dabougui.
For Dabougui, this was his second time rowing in the Regatta, while for Jones it was her first time. The weather made it interesting for the both of them, as the rowing conditions were much different than last year’s Regatta and its rehearsal the previous Saturday.
“The waves were rough this time around. My first year doing [Regatta] it was clear skies, clear water and it was hot,” Dabougui said.
Jones said she was nervous during last week's rehearsal, but found the experience to be enjoyable despite her fears.
“It was scary, but exciting, and easier than I thought. It was not as high pressure as I thought it would be. It was a really fun experience,” Jones said. “It was steady, I didn’t feel like we were going to tip over.
While Jones was nervous about being in the Regatta, she wanted to enjoy something that was out of her comfort zone, along with fellow members of the organization.
“My goal this semester was to get out of my shell and use every opportunity to stay engaged with the organization,” Jones said. ‘I wanted to take an opportunity that is scary but also an opportunity to be engaged for a good purpose and for a chance to represent the organization.”
Throughout their run, Jones and Dabougui strategized on how they would row and stay in rhythm. They decided that Dabougui, who was rowing in the back of the canoe, would do the ‘callouts,’ which is when one rower tells their teammate when it’s time to change the side they’re rowing on.
“This time, the beginning felt really easy. I felt like I had to do callouts more towards the middle because that's when it pretty much got harder,” Dabougui said. “We didn’t hit one wall, we didn’t crash into anybody, I think that is a win in my book.”
Also rowing in the Regatta for Cultural Connections was senior Tapiwa Mzumara, the organization’s alumni chair and Keaun Michael Brown fifth-year student and organization president. Brown explained his experience in the canoe this year and the challenges to stay on course during the run.
“The water is a mystery,” Brown said. “It was a little rocky at times but we weathered the storm.”
Their canoe went off course at the beginning of their wave due to a structure in the middle of the canal, but they managed to return to the correct side of the canal to complete their wave.
Cultural Connections finished in 33rd place out of 67 teams, with an average pace time of 8:15.
For Brown, this was his second time in the Regatta, and he used this year’s event as a way to primarily have fun with the members in the organization, rather than prioritizing the competitive aspect of the event.
“I wanted us to get out there and have a good time. We are a brand new club, we got brand new members. I wish we all could have raced, but we all bonded together, fought the anxieties,” Brown said. “We came out here, we had a good time, got a little wet, had a little bit of fun and that’s all you ask for.”
Kondwani Mzumara is a Junior studying Sports Journalism. Hobbies include video games, listening to music and watching athletic events.
Looking for extra hands, IUI’s first solo Regatta event wants YOU to volunteer
By Ruby Olston | Sept. 27IU Indianapolis will host its first Regatta post-IUPUI split on Sept. 28, and as the season of sign-ups nears its end, the student involvement committee encourages students to pitch in.
REVIEW: “Transformers One” ditches the humans for the most balanced and visually stunning film in the franchise
By Trevor Stucker | Sept. 18"Transformers One" is directed by Josh Cooley and releases in theaters on September 20th.
