Strokes Without Borders - By Akithya De Costa

Written By: Akithya De Costa

Category: Personal Narrative

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In an engaging personal narrative titled "Strokes Without Borders," Akithya De Costa eloquently captures the spirit of unity and teamwork beyond cultural and linguistic differences. Featured in the Creative Writing category of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, this narrative delves into the shared experiences and camaraderie found amidst the oars and waters of a rowing crew. Through vivid storytelling, Akithya invites readers to reflect on the deeper connections forged in the world of sports.

About the Work

"Strokes Without Borders" beautifully illustrates the transition from isolation to camaraderie within a diverse rowing team. Akithya De Costa weaves a narrative that is both intimate and universal, exploring themes of connection, teamwork, and the breaking of cultural barriers. The imagery of the rowing crew gliding across the water symbolizes harmony and the power of collective effort, resonating deeply with readers who value the unifying nature of sports.

Strokes Without Borders

Original Submission by Akithya De Costa

Strokes Without Borders

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think about a sport? Often, it’s winning, losing, medals, trophies, being the champion, being the best at what you do, proving yourself to others. I could go on.

But none of that is my first thought. Not what I remember, at least.

I remember a boat, and a crew of unfamiliar faces.

It all started at a youth camp in Thailand. By the time I arrived, I was already jet-lagged from my flight, so the thought of small talk was the last thing on my mind. Sure, making friends is important, but right then, I needed sleep.

That night at dinner, I ate at a long wooden table, blending into a very diverse blabber of voices. Hundreds of accents seemed to float around me. For most of the night, I sat quietly, picking at my Pad Thai and butter chicken (weird combo, I know), nodding occasionally when something made sense, and offering a smile when someone looked my way.

Later as I lay in bed, I knew I couldn’t spend all my days here being on the outside of conversations. I would only be spending a few weeks here, and I had to make them count.

The next morning, I signed up for rowing.

Rowing had been part of my life for around three years. It had become my passion, through which I earned two national medals representing my school. Experiencing it here in Thailand, with a rather interesting climate and culture, felt exciting. The air was warm and heavy, despite it being early morning; a stark contrast to what I was used to.

We met by the lake after a light breakfast, still half-asleep and adjusting to the heat. There weren’t that many people; just a few of us who had signed up that morning. The lake was quiet and still, draped by a thin haze. Five of us carried our boat down awkwardly to the pier.

“Hands on. Together. Lift. 3, 2, 1, up, over.” Were the first words we shared as a team.

I stepped on to the quad slowly, adjusted my foot stretcher, and fixed my oars with trembling hands. Our coxswain called out “Number off from bow when ready. Also for the record, introduce yourselves too.”

“Bow, I’m Elodie.”

“Two, I’m Akithya” I called out

“Three, My name’s Eliot. Elodie and I are twins”

“Stroke, I’m Hamza. I not very good English.”

“That’s okay, Hamza. I’m Rhys, and I will be your coxswain. Are we all ready? Up slide, attention, row!

And just like that, we were off.

Our first few strokes were choppy, our rhythm was completely out of sync, and boat rocked unsteadily.

“Lower rate.” Rhys called out. We all slowed down our recovery, and sure enough, our blades entered the water together and the boat steadied. “Perfect. Now let’s try some hards, shall we?”. I groaned before I could stop myself.

“Sorry-”

Rhys laughed. “Just kidding.”

“Don’t worry,” Elodie added, “I hate hards too. My coach makes us do them all the time.”

I smiled.

“For some reason Eliot loves them,” she continued. “Such a weirdo.”

“Hey, the adrenaline rush is worth it,” Eliot argued.

This time, we all laughed.

The quad glided across the water, and the shoreline became a blur as we rowed past. With the fresh morning wind hitting my face, for the first time since arriving, I felt at home.

Between those first wobbly strokes, and the second the quad began to glide, we had found a common ground. Not through conversations about movies or music, but through movement, timing, and coordination.

That connection didn’t stay on water. The rowers became the people I sat at dinner with, and the people I spent the rest of my days at camp with. It made me realise that common ground doesn’t always mean sharing the same background, or speaking the same language.

With the Commonwealth Games returning to Glasgow in 2026, it’s easy for athletes to focus on the triumph of winning, the medals, the records, the national pride. But behind every race is something similar to what I experienced.

Athletes from different countries, cultures, and communities come together, not because they are the same, but because they share a sense of discipline, teamwork, and a common goal.

Sport, of course, doesn’t remove these differences. Instead, it reminds us that all those borders, religions, and cultures don’t divide us as much as we think they do. Because when the boat pulls away from the starting line, none of those “labels” are what you carry forward. What matters is the great responsibility and unity that comes from a team, and shared objective to cross the finish line.

Michael Jordan once said, “Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win champions,” And he is absolutely right.

People say small talk is the way to make friends, but sometimes, all you need is a quad and five people.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, hosted by Hashtag Kalakar, is a celebration of literary creativity and artistic expression. This competition invites writers from around the world to share their unique voices and perspectives through various genres, fostering a global community of storytellers and poets. Each submission is a testament to the power of words and the shared human experience, echoing the platform's commitment to nurturing and showcasing creative talent.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Akithya De Costa for sharing "Strokes Without Borders" with us. Your narrative, featured in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, is a poignant reminder of the power of shared experiences and unity in diversity. Thank you, Akithya, for your contribution and for inspiring us with your story of teamwork and connection.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.