Seattle Calling

Hamilton-born Simon Taylor is rowing for the University of Washington’s men’s varsity eight, choosing the Seattle University over the likes of Yale, Princeton and Harvard, and America over the 2012 New Zealand Olympic team. Because of his visa status, it would be difficult for him to return to the United States if he comes back to New Zealand to train for the 2012 Olympics. Taylor chose to be a Husky because of the coaches leading the program. “The coaches over here are more of what I’m used to,” Taylor said. “The coaches on the East Coast are kind of intense and a little preppy. Here, they are just much more genuine.” It was at the Junior World Championships when American coaches first noticed Taylor, including coaches from the University of Washington. The rigor of UW classes came as a surprise to Taylor, who was used to a more laid-back academic atmosphere. “It was stressful, but I was living my dream and having a good time,” Taylor said. “But it was definitely a culture shock.”