Al Borghard – Legacy Rowing Coach has passed

The thing I remember most about Al Borghard was that he was always on a level keel.  I never remember seeing him ever even remotely shaken or flustered in any situation that I witnessed.  In fact, he taught me a lifelong lesson one day about three weeks into my rowing career that shaped my rowing path forever.  In fact it has impacted my entire life to this day.  That day occurred in February of 1981 when Sagamore Rowing Club had just moved to my home town of Huntington, NY.  I think we were a group of six athletes, and as I recall we were the only ones rowing on Long Island, except maybe Beach Channel.   That February day will always be etched in my mind.  Coach Borghard placed me in the bow seat of a 2x with one of my high school buddies Mike, who I mistakenly suggested he come down to try rowing (just kidding Mike).  As this was Mike’s first time out I was basically his training wheels as Coach Borghard instructed him on the basics of the rowing.   It was about 50 degrees outside but the water temperature was probably more like 40 degrees with no wind, overall not a bad day for a row or so I thought.  Thinking things were under control with my blades firmly stabilizing the boat, I was suddenly jarred out of my comfort zone when Mike caught a crab on port side.  As he struggled to control his blade he slowly began falling out of the boat towards the water, and made no apparent effort to right himself much to my disbelief.  Yep, we both went in and man was that water cold!  Coach Borghard quickly got things under control and taught us the first safety lesson in rowing, stay with the boat.  About 150 feet away from the boathouse we began a long and frigid swim back to shore which just got slower and slower.   What amazed me was how cool and calm Coach Borghard was as he guided us safely back to shore, this of course is a post event reflection.  What I was really thinking at that moment being submerged in frigid water was; is this man is crazy we are freezing to death and barley moving and he’s acting as cool as a cucumber as if this swim back was a walk in the park.  Once on shore we dumped the water out of the 2x and walked the boat back to the boathouse.  We put the boats in slings and then Coach Borghard told us to change into dry clothes.  By this time we were both freezing with blue, chattering lips.  At that point all I remember thinking was about getting home and jumping in a hot shower.  Not.   The next thing I know Coach Borghard is telling us to take the boat back down to the dock and head back out to finish practice.  My mind started racing and I instantly objected, not so much about the rowing, but to having me get back in a boat with someone who had apparently no ability to right himself when we were moving in slow motion.  You’ve got to be nuts is what I was thinking!  No thanks!  Man, Coach Borghard was great at persuasion, he got me back out there, this time we stayed dry.

That day was one of those life changing days as I have reflected on it many times.    While that incident certainly taught me lessons of the toughness and persistence rowing demands, the bigger and more powerful lesson that Coach Borghard showed me was about humility.  Being equals when skill levels were different, and that no matter the circumstances rowing and life are really about humility.   That day hooked me and I am still going strong 30+ years later, thanks Al!

Those great life lessons were to me what made Al a very special coach.  The winning was about shiny objects that get buried away in the closet, while those lessons I still use every single day.  Al was also a great rowing coach from a technique point of view, but that evolves as you go through a career.  I thank you Al for all you gave and all I received.  I am trying my best everyday to share those same life lessons I learned from you 30 years ago who his time to propel forward something more powerful than each individual that has touched this great sport.  He coached using a very subtle yet very powerful method, never force, just power.   That power I witnessed 30 years ago built the rowing community on Long Island from a handful of rowers and one small club, into a small high school rowing Mecca with many “shiny” new boathouses.   You truly inspired me Coach Borghard when I rowed for you, and you still do.  I am sure many other high rowers learned similar life lessons and will miss you as well.  Your giving was exceptional and will always be remembered.

Thank you Al, rest in peace.

Comments

Register

Copyright © 2009,2010 Coach Kaehler · Coach Kaehler · Log in