Access Changes Everything: Nina’s Story

Nina almost didn’t become a rower.

When she was 11, her mom saw a sign for Camp Lucy. One word stood out: free. That word mattered because for a lot of families, the barrier isn’t interest, it’s access.

Nina showed up for Camp Lucy, not really knowing what rowing was or where it might lead. But something clicked. She found strength she didn’t know she had, a team she felt part of, and a place where she belonged.
What started as a couple of weeks at Camp Lucy changed her trajectory.

After Camp, Nina joined Pocock Youth Rowing and put in the hard work of long, daily practices - all the steady, unglamorous work of getting better. Over time, you could see the shift - not just in how she rowed, but in how she carried herself. Now, she’s the youngest U19 rower on her team.

And at home, her biggest supporter has been there from the beginning.

When Sarah, Nina’s mom, talks about Nina, she lights up. She’ll tell you Nina is fair. She stands up for people and won’t tolerate bullying. She has a strong moral compass and shows up for her friends, her community, and her team.

She’s watched Nina become more disciplined through rowing - starting at an age when a lot of girls begin to step away from sports. By 14, girls are dropping out at nearly twice the rate of boys. Confidence dips. Opportunities shrink. And for many, that sense of belonging disappears right when they need it most.
Fortunately, Nina found a place to land; a team that became her people, a reason to stay, and a sense of belonging that’s hard to put into words, but felt deeply.

And she still talks about Camp Lucy.

Now, she wants to come back - not as a camper, but as a counselor or coach. Because she knows how much that first experience can matter.

Looking ahead, Nina is starting to explore college options too. She wants to attend a school where she can continue rowing while pursuing a teaching degree. She wants to stay connected to the sport and to the kind of community that shaped her, while building something of her own.

Because for Nina, rowing isn’t just a sport.
It’s the reason she stayed.
It’s the reason she grew.
It’s the reason she believes she can give that same opportunity to someone else.

And it all started with a sign.