Zig Danziger author of Small Puddles

Zig Danziger spent 30 years writing the book about his time on the Rowing team at Yale University. He died last week and

his friends and colleagues joined me on this week’s RowingChat in his memory.

Carole Claps is his publicist, Alix James is mentioned in the book and rowed at Yale on the womens team, Dave Vogel was his coach of the lightweight squad and Mike Hard was his best friend.  Mike couldn’t join us live – here’s Mike Hard interview in full.

Listen to RowingChat with Zig Danziger on SoundCloud

Timestamps to the interview

01:00 Introduction and connections to Zig

05:00 Zig was the most altruistic person I ever met – Carole

09:00 The “Golden Oar” awards dinner story – where’s the check / cheque?

14:00 What it was like rowing at Yale in 1980s – Alix

16:00 Title IX and the naked sit-in at the athletic director’s office

22:00 Quitting the program wasn’t an option

24:00 As a coach, I had little incentive to drop an athlete – Dave.  My first memory of Zig

34:00 How rowing creates bonds that help to overcome adversity

36.00 The psychology of the non-quitter.  An environment that encourages testing yourself and surpassing your limits.

42:00 The top rowers were “Gods”

46:00 Why buy the book?  The mundane details of collegiate rowing life are accurately described.  Rowing is an organising force for self-management.

As a sport it’s a moving meditation.

 

Watch RowingChat: Michael “Zig” Danziger on YouTube