Jack Caldwell

About me

I rowed all throughout high school, earning a national medal in my first year of rowing. My focus changed in my last year of high school to coach junior rowers who were interested in the sport. In 2020, I was given the opportunity by Stevo to help coach at Kansanshi Rowing Club for a month, while volunteering at Emmanuel Orphanage both in Solwezi.  

I am currently in my final year of study in Dunedin, New Zealand studying Economics and Geography. Throughout university, I have taken part in many sports, but not rowing as much! My highest sporting level in playing Football in the Southern Premier League here for my club in Dunedin, taking up most of my sporting time. My passion for rowing is still very strong, even though not having rowed in a while as I love to keep updated and watch the mighty NZ rowing team in each of their regattas!

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Motivations

One of the main motivations is how adventurous and crazy this expedition sounds! Opportunities like this hardly ever come around, so it was a no brainer to apply for such an adventure. As well as this, I am very excited to meet all the athletes and other members of the expedition, sharing an experience that not many will ever do in their life.

Lastly, but most importantly, I am thrilled to be able to rekindle the connection to rowing in Africa, and to row with the Zambians that I was helping to coach at Kansanshi Rowing Club in 2020. This is a full circle moment for me to be able to come back to support this amazing sport that is growing rapidly in Central Africa.

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Worries

I think one of the main worries is obviously the unknown. Having this be the first expedition on this stretch of water does worry me a little. Also, traveling to the other side of the world, and meeting/trusting so many new faces add to the fear. However, there is so much excitement and positivity that these worries and fear are overridden.

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