Before most of his classmates are even awake, Charlie Winder ’27 is already on the water at 5 a.m., pushing through the fog and current, chasing a dream that’s taken him from the Charles River to the edge of international competition.
With an unrelenting training schedule and a fierce dedication to improvement, Winder has emerged as a rising talent in the world of rowing, earning national attention and an invitation to represent America on the global stage.
When Winder was 12 years old, his uncle first introduced him to competitive rowing. From then on, Winder was hooked, showcasing talent from the moment he picked up the paddle.
For Winder, rowing came naturally.
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Charlie Winder ’27 and his teammates hard at work in competition.
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Charlie Winder ’27 takes a moment to relax in the boat.
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Charlie Winder ’27 and his teammates in the midst of competition.
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Charlie Winder ’27 and his teammates embrace post-competition.
“I was always told that I would be a good rower, just like the height, body proportions,” Winder said. ” I decided to try it out.”
Over the past three years, Winder has steadily climbed the ranks of competitive rowing.
His steady improvement has earned him increasing attention from prestigious organizations, culminating in an invitation to train and compete with the USA National Team for five weeks this summer. From there, he will compete in a world championship in Trakai, Lithuania—an opportunity that will allow him to showcase his skills in front of college rowing coaches.”
To reach this level, Winder committed to the daily grind of training at Community Rowing Inc, a competitive club based in Brighton, Massachusetts.
“My morning practices, when I do have them, are from around 5:00 am to around 7:30 am, and my afternoon practices are 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm, and I bike between those,” Winder said. “I get home usually at around 8:15 pm. So there’s a very big time crunch.”
At Community Rowing., Head Coach Kevin McCarthy describes Charlie as “an incredibly gifted athlete” whose exceptional drive and physicality set him apart from most athletes his age.
“At Community Rowing, we’ve produced a great number of skilled athletes including Olympians and World Champions,” McCarthy said. “Charlie has the potential to be the next one. This year he has worked hard to place himself in position to represent the United States on the world stage for the first time. He has accomplished this through consistent sacrifice and perseverance.”
Early morning practices and consistent routines have helped make Winder a resilient athlete.
“If I didn’t give 100%, I could easily be beaten by somebody of half my skill level. You really have to give the full 100% in order to win.”
At this point in Winder’s career, he is close to figuring out the next stage of his journey. He will start receiving offers from colleges starting June 15, 2025, when NCAA schools can officially make offers to athletes.
“What I think makes Charlie a truly special rower however is his ability to push himself beyond what is normal or expected,” McCarthy said. “He rows with an intensity and fire that you simply cannot teach to an athlete. We pride ourselves on our ability to work hard, make sacrifices, and improve for the benefit of the collective, and Charlie has been a key member in a very special crew.”
As Winder’s career takes off, his consistent success comes back to the 5:00 a.m. workouts. When no one is on the water except him and his teammates, collectively pushing toward a dream so big yet so attainable.
As college offers loom, and international competition beckons, Winder remains grounded in the routine of early mornings, late nights, and chipping his way towards excellence.
“You can’t let up,” Winder said.
