Paulo, being a high performance athlete what is music in training for you on the indoor rowing machine? Did or do you use music in indoor sessions?

In the rowing machine I’m always training with music, most of the time epic tones, rock solo guitar or any other uplifting instrumental music.

Is the right stroke rate of the music important for you?

The stroke rate varies during a training session but the rhythm of the music and the beat per minute I choose according to the mood of the moment independently of the stroke rate. However, it is easier for beginners to catch up with the rhythm according to the beat of the music until they master the technique of the movement.

How many years have you been rowing now?

I started with 15 so it is being more then 40 years with some briefly breaks. Competing rowing in a single boat is for a specific character of a person [….] if it suits [….] you might hold it forever, [… ] like brushing your teeth every day. However most of the people optimize their skills in a collective way, being part of a crew.

You rowed mostly in a single, right?

Yes most of the time […].

Were your indoor rowing sessions always alone or also in a group?

Not necessarily on my own. […]other people come and go within few minutes spontaneously, […]

then we sort of catch up with each others rhythm […] which is a good feeling sharing the same state of mind doing the same thing.

Now the weather and water conditions are perfect and we can go out on the water again. How do you get motivated to go indoor on a rowing machine and train? What is your motivation to do so?

We rowers are thankful to have an option to keep up with training on the rowing machine whenever the weather/water conditions are unbearable. Indoor rowing has become officially a way to qualify and select crews through systematic evaluations.

My vision is to inspire as many people as possible to go on a rowing machine and find their own strength and their best self, to empower themselves actually. Being so many things out there in the world to choose from why should someone try rowing? Why should they push or better row themselves out of their comfort zone?
What would be your advice for somebody who never tried indoor rowing.

It is all about mental endurance going through life with more awareness and finding the joy of living in the most simple things like breathing efficiently and reaching full relaxation of the body after a hard rowing session.

There are so many options nowadays on how to become more physical active to balance this practical, rational, ready made routine we are living. Rowing can also be an option considering all the benefits it can bring.

I believe somehow we all feel the need of some challenge […] especially living in Zurich where social and professional life is so comfortably set that might constantly fall into a numb state of mind. We do have stressful tasks during the day in our social and professional life […] but still [… ] our intuition seeks for balance. We feel the need to heal and grow in different ways. Pushing ourselves to the limit physically and mentally can be quite meditative too.

With mental endurance we go through life with more awareness and finding the joy of living in very simple things like breathing efficiently and reaching full relaxation of the body after a hard rowing session.

That is a very beautiful approach.

We can be easily distracted with so many activities aiming for moments of fun or we can also set our minds for a constant joy through the day in a much slower pace. It is about how we decide to optimize our quality time.

Do you get into another mindset?

After many years of competitive rowing I’ve developed a self centred identity of a disciplined athlete holding virtues and inspiring others around, however being consumed in this state of mind alone doesn’t make me socially better […] we all seek for a balance.

Balance is the right word because rowing is also about the elusive balance between power/strength in the stroke and relaxation in the recovery phase. Does rowing then help you to get a better balance in your life?

Yes, in real life as in rowing we learn how to focus on breathing and relaxation rather then on pure strength, which inspires us for more balance and efficiency on what we are doing through the day.

Does the breathing come naturally or do you have to think at some point how to connect the movement to the breathing?

I believe we learn the rowing technique much faster by focusing firstly on breathing rhythmically applying minimal muscle tension, aiming only for the synchrony of the movement.

Would you join a live online group class at any point being so comfortable of training on your own?

Being invited for a class? Why not. By all means […] after all, this is a social occasion it doesn’t need to have another purpose.

You are still competing, right?

Yes I do, it is actually a worldwide trend, we see more and more Masters competitors in many sports modality. It is always a pleasure to meet again our old fellows and catching up with them.

When you look back on your career was it the right decision for you to do what you have done?

In teenage years all we want is to be part of a group where we believe we belong to and invest all our passion and energy building this new identity. It was on rowing that I found myself after trying so many other things.

I felt blessed trusting to be on the right place at the right time doing what I wanted mostly.

Rowing for me makes it easy to let go completely although I have to be quite aware and awake of what is happening. So for your personal growth would you say you experienced anything similar? For me there is something special with rowing that reminds me of my stage career, when I was completely in the moment and lived for that amazing feeling. I think everyone should be able to explore and experience that.

Yes, it’s like being in a meditative state of mind. I believe I can get closer to my own element by rowing than doing any other activity. It did suit me once and it still does. It feels good to be constantly connected with this perception.

The experience of the group dynamics in a live class and the special energy throughout the group is much easier to feel compared to a live online group class. Online it still helps to stay connected visually and musically but the live workout and being there in own room together with the same intention is extraordinary and very motivating and inspiring. During the corona situation it was perfect to stay connected online even if we had to be social distant.

Yes, I believe it has been quite supportive and we should be thankful for having this option.

A group of people in a room breathing the same air tuned up with an uplifting music, having in common a single intention […] moving with synchrony, sensing the surrounding to what it is in that moment, bringing us alltogether with empathy [… ] communicating in a more subtle way then just by talking. Yes, you may call it a nice way of socializing or even a sort of spiritual experience. In a few other countries indoor rowing has become a sport modality. It is quite popular not only normal indoor classes but special indoor rowing events with the participation of legendary rowers raising funds and inspiring people to become more active in sports.

Rowing is about challenging yourself all the time and more an inward journey than an outward one, so it is somehow closer to yoga than to other fitness classes, I would say. It is taking time for yourself and looking inwards, experience a special journey to yourself, recharge and get on a higher energy level. You have been so lucky to be able to row your whole life. For someone who never experienced that, what would you say to them? What would be your advice why they should try that?

For some people learning rowing seems to be not an easy task. The coordination, posture […] but by simple steps, one fundament at a time, applying minimal muscle tension and providing the class with all benefits it can be a joyful group activity never experienced before.

But then you sit for the first time on a rowing machine and try to do the movement right and you realize wow, this is hard. Why should they stick with it and continue would you say?

There are so many new ideas what you can do as physical activity. I think people nowadays are less skeptical trying and they do try many different things having so many options available. It is like a market where people see themselves consuming whatever pops up. Many times it is confusing for them seeking for a personal balance in their life’s routine. Unfortunately they jump in and out of these trials too often. There is nothing to achieve when we approach a new task without challenging discomfort.

That is a good point. Your body is capable of much more than you think it is. Somehow being used to comfort our brain tells us that this is too hard and you do not want to go there. Unfortunately, you do not know what you are missing then.

And it is rewarding when we turn strenuous tasks into a pleasant harmonious activity. Rowing is about turning intentional efforts into rewarding results in many different aspects.

Yes, that is so true. It is about trust. Trust in your own capabilities. Sometimes we are not even aware of all the things we are capable of.

Yet, the motivation has to come from somewhere, usually acknowledging where we stand and what we are aiming for.

I am so grateful talking to you because I can feel your soul connected with rowing. It is beautiful how you approach that.

Many atlethes compete for the money and prestige… but they are expected to win. I’m no longer part of this deal but I keep rowing motivated by intrinsic values. […] it is a great feeling already early in the morning accomplishing something for yourself in a meditative level which will set your mind structure for the rest of the day.

Das Gespräch führte Monika Gugganig.