December 2023: Sid Ali Boudina

He wanted to try out sailing – but by accident, his father signed him up for rowing at his local club in Algiers. A good fortune for Sid Ali Boudina, who just qualified for this third Olympic Games at the African Olympic Qualification Regatta – the second time in the men’s single sculls. He is our December Rower of the Month.

How was your 2023 rowing season?

It was a long season. I did compete at the World Rowing Cups II and III, and at the 2023 World Rowing Championships, as a lightweight – although my goal was the Continental Olympic qualification regatta, and compete there as an open weight. I had my shares of challenges – being a lightweight and having to keep your weight down under 70 kilos is certainly one of them. Also, I have been in crew boats the last few years, and back in the single this year, where it’s you, and no one else, is also something that demands some adaptation. But I am happy with the way it ended.

How stressful was that Olympic qualification in Tunis?

Very stressful! As I said, it was a long season, and the level of adversity in Tunis was quite good. Everyone wanted to punch their ticket for Paris. I was trying to qualify for the Games, but as the African championships were running at the same time, I wanted to defend my title in the lightweight men’s single sculls – which wasn’t’ probably the smartest thing to do! But I managed to do it. I easily went through the heats and the semis, and I finished third in the final of the qualification regatta. I could have done better, but I wanted to secure the qualification spot – I am hoping to keep my best performance for the Games next year.

What was your feeling when you officially qualified for your third Olympics, meaning that your will again represent your country on the biggest stage?

This is the Holy Grail! It’s a dream coming true, it doesn’t matter if it is your first or your tenth time, it remains special to qualify for the Olympic Games.

I am also very proud to represent my country, in Rowing at the Olympics. This was the challenge I took on when I started rowing. I was this little kid from the working-class neighborhoods of Algiers, I moved to France to improve physically and technically, but lived in Algeria until I was 21 years old, who discovered the sport by accident, and I always had this goal in mind to be the first Algerian rower – or African rower – to medal at a World Rowing Cup, or at the World Rowing Championships. I always worked hard to achieve my goal, and qualifying for the Games is the first step towards this ultimate goal. Anything is possible if you believe in your dreams, even having a young Algerian at the Games, and hopefully in the future tickling the top names in the sport.

You have been one of the most successful rowers in Northern Africa – what are your views on Rowing in the African continent?

I would love for Rowing to be more present in the continent, and for rowers to believe that they can compete with the best. We often say that you need lots of resources to succeed, and it’s not always true. Look at Egypt – they have the Nile, the physiology of their rowers is comparable to others, they have nothing to envy to the others. We need human resources and people to be fully invested in the sport, to believe that they can do it.

What is the message you want to convey to the young generations that want to try out rowing in these countries?

The message we often hear is, “this is not our sport”, or “we don’t have enough resources”. Again, anything is possible. It is difficult, you need to work hard, but you need to be motivated. In Algeria, people are getting interested in the sport more and more. To this day, there are only 16 Algerian athletes that have qualified for the Games, and two of them are rowers. It is encouraging, despite the lack of boats and manpower to develop the sport further more.

Beach Sprint Rowing will be an Olympic discipline at the LA 2028 Olympics. You competed at the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals in 2021, what are your views on the discipline?

I enjoyed it, and after the Paris Olympic Games, I will consider doing more beach sprint rowing events in the future. Beach Sprint Rowing is a spectacular discipline, that can be developed in lots of countries, that is attractive and engaging for fans. It may seem less interesting for traditional rowers, but it is not pure luck – it requires training, and it is really spectacular.

How did you first get into rowing?

I started swimming when I was a kid, and I had to stop because of my studies. I wanted to do sailing, and in Algiers, the sailing and rowing club are in the same building. My dad went to sign me up… for the wrong sport! So I started rowing the next day, and that peaked my interest, seeing the boats on the water, etc. I never stopped ever since.

When you aren’t rowing, what does your life look like?

I studied civil engineering in Algeria, and sports science in France.  I live in Nantes, France, for the major part of the year, and thanks to the World Rowing Development Programme, I also train with the Romanian National Team in Snagov. Next year being an Olympic year, I will be off work for the major part of the year, to train as much as possible. And I love to swim!

What are your upcoming goals in rowing?

Winning an international medal. I just want it so bad, and I am working every day to reach that goal. As a lightweight, and being realistic, it will be hard to win a medal in the open weight category, but in the lightweight men’s single sculls, I truly believe that I can do it, I need to work harder to achieve that objective.

Where is your favourite rowing location?

I love training in Nantes (France). The Erdre river is perfect, it’s a big body of water, you can row 20km without stopping, I love it. In terms of competition, I loved Aiguebelette, competing at the 2015 World Rowing Championships. The landscape is magical, stunning.

If you could give one piece of advice to a rower starting out what would it be?

Be patient, be rigorous. There’s no need to rush things, you can’t be the best overnight. Rowing is a sport where you need to train hard, trust the process, and eventually the progress will show.

Do you have a mentor or athlete that you admire?

I really admire Matthieu Androdias of France. I had the chance to row with him before. His seriousness, his attention to details, he is a true champion and I learned so much with him. When I need advice, or when I have an issue, I ask him and he is always there for me.

What is the most memorable piece of advice that has been said to you?

It was actually from Matthieu Androdias. He said, you have to believe in yourself, no one will do the work for you. If you want to reach your goal, you need to pull all the chances on your side, be rigorous, and every stroke you take should make you progress.