Stefan Kieszling Quotes

#1. Those of us who stayed were younger, more tractable. Less sure of ourselves socially and intellectually, we gave ourselves to the sport with little idea of what we could give or receive.

Stefan Kieszling

#2. I climbed on the rowing ergometer, and started to pull - losing myself in the rhythm of sweat and pain.

Stefan Kieszling

#3. That morning each of us found a breaking point. Not only a physical barrier, but a point where determination, stamina and duty clashed and were overcome not so much by pain but by absurdity.

Stefan Kieszling

#4. [Trading] With the French one had to be especially careful. French oarswomen were known to take men aside, point to whatever they wanted, and then peel off their own shirts. It took great presence of mind to bargain with a half-naked Frenchwoman.

Stefan Kieszling

#5. Once one is beyond a certain level of commitment to the sport, life begins to seem an allegory of rowing rather than rowing an allegory of life.

Stefan Kieszling

#6. Being in shape was not my goal. My body was a tool to test the capabilities of my will.

Stefan Kieszling

#7. The ergometer simulates the physical demands of rowing, packaging the pains with none of the amenities that make it worthwhile ...

Stefan Kieszling

#8. Although it takes a long warm-up for an eight to swing, on an erg such subtleties don't matter. For me the sound alone raised my pulse to 120. Tying my feet into the stretchers increased it to 180. My maximum pulse was 200. I didn't need a warmup. I needed a sedative.

Stefan Kieszling