‘It’s like I’m blind. I can win’: Cobb County teen defying odds, winning major rowing championship

Berndt Petersen
·2 min read

A Cobb County teen has made a big splash in the world of rowing.

Max Allemerier just won a major championship and he was born blind.

Channel 2′s Berndt Petersen was in Roswell where Allemerier trains with his teammates at the Chattahoochee River.

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The first time he touched an Oar was 18 months ago and he’s already a champion.

It’s likely no challenge is too big for 17-year-old Allemeier. Not even one that is 34 feet long.

“That first day wasn’t really where the magic happened, but that’s where I felt this is possible. I can continue this,” Allemeier said.

Put him in the seat of a scull and he can row with the best of them. Even without the use of his eyes.

“Everyone always says I feel the boat out. I have great boat feel. That’s how I try to explain it,” he said.

Max has been blind since birth. 18 months ago, he started Rowing and joined the Atlanta Junior Rowing Association Team.

A few weeks back, he was part of a 1st place two-man team at the US Rowing Youth National Championships. His future on the water is very bright.

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“In comparison, with our full team, he is a high performer. He’s in our top boat. And he’s already got interest from college coaches around the country,” Sarah Low with Atlanta Junior Rowing Association said.

But Max told Channel 2′s Berndt Petersen it’s not about winning medals. It’s about inspiring others to win them.

“They can be on that seat. They can have their hands on the oars. They can cross the finish line first. I want that to be the takeaway. I don’t want to be, ‘Oh, a blind person won.’ It’s like—I’m blind. I can win,” said Allemerier.

Who knows? A year from now Max may be rowing in the Ivy League.

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