As host of Head of the Hooch, one of the world's largest regattas, Chattanooga is known by many as a rowing hotspot. Fewer people, however, may know that Chattanooga also fosters a dynamic indoor rowing scene - and is home to two of the world's leading competitors.
Indoor rowing is an international sport in which athletes compete using Concept2 rowing machines.
The World Rowing Indoor Championships take place in February, and, historically, the event has been hosted by a different country each year.
To qualify, typically, American rowers need to attend one of the 20 or so satellite regattas, held in various cities across the country, including one in Chattanooga. There, using the computerized rowing machines, contenders race side-by-side for the fastest times.
But this year, due to the pandemic, the satellite regattas were canceled. The world championships went virtual. For the first time, athletes could qualify and compete from anywhere. All they needed was a Concept2 rowing machine - and one of the top 10 fastest times in the world.
In February, locals Preston McAfee, 49, and Matt Snare, 37, became first-time competitors in the world championships.
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McAfee began indoor rowing 33 years ago, after discovering a rowing machine in his church gym.
"Back then," he says, "you had to learn on your own. You didn't have internet to show you proper form or how to improve your stroke rate. I had to learn through a lot of trial and error."
While McAfee developed his skill, the machines were improving, too. These days, the Concept2 is a sophisticated piece of equipment, complete with performance monitors which measure and record workouts and let rowers connect with others around the world through an online logbook.
In 1999, McAfee purchased one for his home gym, which is how he met Snare.
"My in-laws live next door to Preston," Snare says. "I saw him working out in his [garage] one day and decided to walk over there."
The sport of indoor rowing appealed to Snare for the same reasons it had McAfee. With full-time jobs and families, both found it to be an efficient form of cardio.
"I never thought I'd compete at a world level," McAfee says.
But when the World Rowing Federation announced that the 2021 indoor world championships would be virtual, "I made it my goal," he says.
Snare did, too.
Ready, set, row
Since the late 1980s, when McAfee began to indoor row, technology has improved considerably, allowing rowers to track their progress and connect with others through their smart machines. Still, digital connections can’t replace peer-to-peer training.In order to help guide the up-and-coming generation of indoor rowers, earlier this year, McAfee became a certified Concept2 coach.After decades of learning by trial and error, McAfee says that certification process was the first time he’d received formal training — and he credits the experience with helping him qualify for the 2021 World Rowing Indoor Championships.Ready to get rowing? To connect with McAfee and learn about coaching opportunities, visit gymmettle.com.
Last November, both McAfee and Snare qualified within their respective age brackets after their submitted times in the 500-meter dash ranked among the top 10 fastest in the world and the top two fastest in the U.S.
In February, from McAfee's home gym, they competed in real time against rowers from around the world.
"You could see everybody (competing) on the TV screen," McAfee says. "They all looked like [more experienced] rowers. They're all wearing uni-tights, and I was in a T-shirt and shorts."
In his age bracket of 40-49, McAfee placed eighth out of 10 with a time of 1 minute and 22 seconds, a time with which he says he's pleased.
"That was the same time I could pull years ago, so I'm back to my glory days," McAfee says.
Snare, meanwhile, in his age bracket of 30-39, placed second with a time of 1 minute and 15 seconds.
While he says his relationship with rowing has always been casual, now it has the potential to become more serious.
"If you get second, I guess that means you have to come back to get first," says Snare.
Photo contributed by Preston McAfee / From Preston McAfee's home gym, Matt Snare competes in the 2021 World Rowing Indoor Championships, in which he placed second.