The Rowing Team of Yonsei University won first place, setting a new national record, in Rowing Eight at the 7th Korean University Rowing Competition, held on July 23rd. This was a stunning achievement given that the team had less than one month of camp training and that the rowers were complete novices who were even unable to navigate the boat in a straight line. University rowing teams were first associated in England and America in the 19th century, and the sport was popular to university students who were interested in building physical strength and teamwork. In Korea, university rowing teams were founded in the 1960s at Seoul National University, Korea University, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, and Yonsei University. However, in the 2000s, fewer students sought rowing for their sports club; and the rowing team at Yonsei University was practically closed. It was in 2003 when a few Yonsei graduates in their thirties revived the rowing team of Yonsei, even devoting their monthly and annual holidays off work to recruit newcomers. In 2009, the Yonsei Rowing Team succeeded in recruiting 5 rowers. While unqualified for rowing eight, the team participated in a five-person race; but came in fourth place out of four teams. The team finished last in 2010 as well due to an unfortunate damage to the boat. For the race in 2011, the Yonsei Rowing Team had to practice rowing with oars borrowed from graduates and do “actual” training on the university’s soccer field. Team captain for the third year, Mr. Sohn Jin-hoe took up the challenge to make his third attempt to win. With support from graduates and professors, the captain was able to recruit 9 rowers and compete in the rowing eight. A newcomer this year, Mr. Kim Do-hun (Sophomore in Korean Language and Literature) said, I couldn’t do even 20 push-ups before. I signed up for the rowing team to make a change to myself.” For the race on July 23rd this year, the Yonsei Rowing Team managed to get a training camp near the boat race in Gyeonggi Province in late June. The camp was unfurnished without a refrigerator, air-conditioner, or fan. During rainy weather, water leaked into the rooms; and there was power failure 2-3 times a week. The coach of the Yonsei Rowing Team and former member of the national team, Mr. Gye Hyo-seok said, “At first, the team members were in awful condition, coming in over 8 minutes in the 2000m races; but the members were determined to make changes which also notched better records. On the day of the competition, the Yonsei Rowing Team scored its highest record of 6 minutes and 31 seconds.