van Dorp: Dreams Come True For World-Champion Rower
March 09, 2022 | Men's Rowing
One of the most decorated members of this season's Men's Rowing team began his career in a dinghy.
Simon Van Dorp grew up on a houseboat in Amsterdam. He had his own dinghy and also "paddled around" in his dad's small sailing boat. When he discovered rowing at the age of 14, his meteoric rise in the sport stemmed from his passion for the water. By the time he came to Washington, the five-time Dutch junior national champion had already earned gold medals at the Junior and the Under-23 world championships.
Despite the accolades that put him on many U.S. universities' radar screens, Simon didn't pay much attention when U.S. college recruiters came calling.
"I liked my life in Amsterdam, and I dreamed of winning gold at the Olympics in a Dutch boat," the senior political economy major says. "Even when I went on my official visit to Washington in 2015, I didn't really think I'd go to the United States. It was so far away and so hard to imagine."
His doubt didn't last long. The team, the coaches, the incredible rowing facilities, the alumni support, the mountains, the city — "I love it all so much now I can't even imagine why I never wanted to even consider it."
The Huskies are fortunate he changed his mind. As a junior, Simon earned the program's Pigott Award as the most inspirational member of the team. His international success also continued during his years with Washington.
"Simon is a strong voice, a great leader and a kind person," Head Coach Michael Callahan says. "He's one of the best in the world at the erg and has been rowing with the best international rowers and coaches.
His insights on training and mindset and racing are so valuable."
Simon's Olympic dreams took him to Tokyo last year, where the Dutch boat finished fifth. As honored as he was to row for his country, he knew he and his teammates could do better.
So, Simon has set his sights on the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
"I'm grateful to have a scholarship and to earn my degree before I continue my international career," he says.
This story originally appeared in UW Rowing's "SWEEP" magazine. Read the spring, 2022, edition via the link at the top-right of this page.
Simon Van Dorp grew up on a houseboat in Amsterdam. He had his own dinghy and also "paddled around" in his dad's small sailing boat. When he discovered rowing at the age of 14, his meteoric rise in the sport stemmed from his passion for the water. By the time he came to Washington, the five-time Dutch junior national champion had already earned gold medals at the Junior and the Under-23 world championships.
Despite the accolades that put him on many U.S. universities' radar screens, Simon didn't pay much attention when U.S. college recruiters came calling.
"I liked my life in Amsterdam, and I dreamed of winning gold at the Olympics in a Dutch boat," the senior political economy major says. "Even when I went on my official visit to Washington in 2015, I didn't really think I'd go to the United States. It was so far away and so hard to imagine."
His doubt didn't last long. The team, the coaches, the incredible rowing facilities, the alumni support, the mountains, the city — "I love it all so much now I can't even imagine why I never wanted to even consider it."
The Huskies are fortunate he changed his mind. As a junior, Simon earned the program's Pigott Award as the most inspirational member of the team. His international success also continued during his years with Washington.
"Simon is a strong voice, a great leader and a kind person," Head Coach Michael Callahan says. "He's one of the best in the world at the erg and has been rowing with the best international rowers and coaches.
His insights on training and mindset and racing are so valuable."
Simon's Olympic dreams took him to Tokyo last year, where the Dutch boat finished fifth. As honored as he was to row for his country, he knew he and his teammates could do better.
So, Simon has set his sights on the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
"I'm grateful to have a scholarship and to earn my degree before I continue my international career," he says.
This story originally appeared in UW Rowing's "SWEEP" magazine. Read the spring, 2022, edition via the link at the top-right of this page.
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