Weir is not quite an average student athlete

After a football injury ended his career, rower David Weir found the sport of crew; volunteers as a firefighter in Corvallis

By: Makenzie Marineau

Posted: 5/27/09

As a Corvallis volunteer firefighter and a member of last summer's under-23 U.S. national rowing team, David Weir certainly isn't your average student.

Originally from Folsom, Calif., Weir attended Folsom High School where he played football and wrestled until an unfortunate blindsided tackle left him injured and unable to play. Weir's uncle, who at the time was a rowing coach at Lake Natoma near Folsom, allowed Weir to come down for a rowing practice. Weir was hooked and since has dedicated himself to rowing and his passion for helping others, which is seen in his years of service as a volunteer firefighter.

In high school Weir became actively involved in firefighting. The process for Weir to get his EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) training in high school gave him little time for anything else. He spent his days attending school until 3 p.m. then drove to Capitol crew practice from 3 to 6 and would finish off his evenings from 6 to 9 with his firefighting training.

"The whole process was challenging but a lot of fun," Weir said.

When Weir made the choice to attend Oregon State it wasn't a surprise that he continued to work strenuous hours interning as a firefighter in Corvallis.

"I came to Oregon State because it felt right. It was an overall good fit for me."

He came to OSU to join the rowing team, where he now helps lead the Varsity 8+ boat but also picked up an internship with the rural fire department. His freshman and sophomore year he lived at the Locke Fire Station (rural district station in the Lewisburg area) working 24 hours on and 48 hours off duty.

"People would cover shifts if you had class or practices like me. There were nine guys working and living at the station and we always had to have it open," Weir said. "I liked to take the holiday shifts to make up for the all the practices I had covered."

At Oregon State Weir is studying exercise science, which covers paramedic needs. Eventually Weir hopes to make a career of firefighting and possibly as a rowing coach in the future too. At this time he is trying to focus on finishing up school and rowing and hasn't been volunteering as much time as he used to.

One of Weir's biggest accomplishments to date has been making the U.S. national rowing team last summer and competing in Germany in the rowing world championships.

As a freshman he started off as a novice rower and competed the next two years at the junior varsity level for Oregon State. Weir wasn't satisfied with rowing at the junior varsity level, "It was a blessing in disguise. I was never satisfied and it pushed me to want more."

At the end of IRA Championships last year Weir and teammate John Wainwright flew to Philadelphia and with only two hours of sleep went to their first practice at Penn-AC (Penn Athletic Club Rowing Association). Weir and Wainwright were told they would be racing for a spot at the world championships.

"The conditions were muggy, hot and unpleasant but you made due with what you had to work with."

In the race to see which boats made the U.S. National team Weir and Wainwright's boat came across the finish line victoriously. At the end of July they flew to Germany to compete in the under-23 rowing world championships representing the U.S.

"Nine hours after arriving we are expected to perform in a foreign country and venue," Weir said of the event, "it was definitely a learning experience that I took a lot out of. I plan on trying for the U.S. National team again this year."

After graduation this year Weir plans on going back to Penn-AC for another shot at the national team and plans on eventually finding a job in firefighting.

"The training for firefighting here in Corvallis has been so spot on I know I can go anywhere and apply for a job."

Weir contributes a lot of his life success to rowing, "I have learned a lot from the sport. It has just had such a big impact on my life and I would love to give something back to rowing by coaching one day."

As his senior year of rowing is winding down the Beavers still must compete in another challenging regatta at the IRA Championships before Weir can again try out for the U.S. Nationals team. This year the men's rowing team at OSU has proven themselves to be a tough competitor and will be heading up against the nation's toughest yet. The No. 15 Beavers have been in the top 20 teams in the nation over the entire 2009 rowing season and raced to a fourth place finish in the Pac-10 Championships to lead them to nationals.

Makenzie Marineau, sports writer

sports@dailybarometer.com