OJAI, Calif. — Carson Peterson steers through water of Lake Casitas, the site of the 1984 Olympic rowing competition.
He would love to be a part of the games in 2028 when they return to Los Angeles, though he found the sport just four years ago.
What You Need To Know
- Carson Peterson is junior High School rower who competes for his Lake Casitas team
- Peterson is looking to be selected for the World Junior Rowing Championships in Italy this summer
- He is a rarity in the sport, as only 2% of rowers are Black, according to U.S. Rowing
“Most of my life I've been thinking about basketball and football, you know, especially as a Black athlete, that's kind of what my focus was,” Peterson said. “So, when I found rowing, it was really different.”
According to U.S. Rowing, only 13% of rowers are people of color, with only 2% being Black. It’s a source of pride for Peterson to be on the water with his Lake Casitas private team.
“Black excellence,” he explained. “That’s kind of the way I look at this. And I think, me being able to be successful in the sport as an underrepresented or a rare case, I think it gives me a special opportunity.”
Away from the lake, Peterson is a busy high school junior with a 4.0 GPA. He also competed in the cooking competition show “Top Chef Junior.” He says his support system helps him get through it all.
“There’s a lineup of teachers that keep me going, so I can get through school,” Peterson said. “As soon as I’m out there for rowing, it’s done. The energy is up.”
Despite everything else he has going on, Peterson and his team co-captain Gus Wieners both have the chance to compete in the World Junior Championships this summer in Italy.
“When we’re out here and we’re just trying to get ahead of the other, we’re the worst enemies on the planet,” sWieners said. “But as soon as the piece is over, we’re friends again. Trying to make Junior World’s with him and getting into selection with him, I think, has been probably one of the best experiences of my life so far.”
For Peterson, hitting the world stage would be the culmination of all the hard work he’s put in.
“That’s the top success point that you can reach in your high school career,” Peterson said. “So, for me talking about those themes of Black excellence, that’s where I wanna be.”
Rowing, however, is one of the most expensive sports in the world and costs thousands of dollars to compete. With Peterson’s dad on dialysis, his family has set up a GoFundMe page so Peterson can make it to the selection camp.