Former Olympic rower and award winning photographer Rentmeester has put his talents behind the big lens to reveal the mind of a single sculler within the context of the 119 year old Dutch single sculling race, the Holland Beker Trophy.

This is a self-funded labour of love for Rentmeester, who is better known for his photography of the Vietnam
War and Michael Jordan’s signature leap, poised in the air, which is now used as a Nike symbol.

Titled "The Perfect Stroke", Rentmeester’s movie delves into the thoughts of four top single scullers and portrays, through the lens and their own words, their unique perspective on the sport of rowing. All four rowers are Dutch and move from Jan Wienese, who won Olympic gold in 1968, to present day rising star, Sjoerd Hamburger.

Also featured is two-time Olympic gold medallist Nico Rienks. Rienks finished his rowing career in 2000 having raced at five Olympic Games and he attributes his success to the time he spent in the single.

“Nico reflects back on what rowing meant to him,” says Rentmeester, “and how it has influenced his present life as a businessman.” Rienks currently runs an occupational health company with 1,000 employees.

Two-time winner of the Holland Beker Trophy, Jan Wienese, talks to Rentmeester while he is rowing on Amsterdam’s famous rowing course, the Bosbaan. This is mixed in with flashbacks to Wienese winning gold in the single at the 1968 Olympics. “He talks about what motivated him and what it was like to be alone in the single,” says Rentmeester.

Top sculler Frans Göbel became a Dutch superstar after winning the lightweight single twice at the World Rowing Championships in the early 1990’s. He also gives insight into his mind as a lone sculler.
Rentmeester then takes in Dutch single sculling rising star Sjoerd Hamburger. Hamburger, 22, already has two Under-23 medals under his belt and Rentmeester predicts Hamburger will be in the top three single scullers in the world within two years.

The Perfect Stroke DVD has been translated into English, and is available exclusively through JL. Click the image to purchase.

Article courtesy of WorldRowing.com by Melissa Bray