We’re looking forward to introducing you to Bobbie Smith. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Bobbie , thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
In one of my former careers, I was lucky enough to work with youth and I felt that I was able to empower young women through sport. As a result, I would say that I was building the competence and confidence of tomorrow’s leaders. Very few will ever know that I was a part of that, but I know that I was.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
As Executive Director of the San Diego Crew Classic since 2019, I have the honor of leading one of rowing’s most iconic events. Easily recognized by its tagline, “The Rowing Season Starts Here,” the San Diego Crew Classic is recognized as the premier spring rowing regatta in the United States.
Founded in 1973 to showcase the best of East Coast and West Coast rowing, the event has since grown into an international stage. Today, it attracts colleges, juniors, masters, and elite athletes from across the globe. What began as a three-hour race with 300 competitors has evolved into a three-day celebration of rowing, featuring more than 4,500 athletes and drawing thousands of spectators to the shores of Mission Bay.
In 2026, the Crew Classic proudly returns for its 53rd year on March 27–29, continuing its tradition as the ultimate kickoff to the rowing season.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
All throughout my school years, I was fortunate to be surrounded by teachers who saw potential in me and pushed me to reach higher. I loved learning. I was and still am a bookworm at heart but was also drawn to math and the sciences. With every challenge my teachers placed before me, I discovered how striving for more, better, different, could open doors to new opportunities.
It was through their guidance and encouragement that I came to see a clear path forward. Their belief in me shaped my own, and ultimately inspired me to pursue college, a step I may never have taken without the steady support of the teachers who continually asked me to expect more from myself.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Don’t say anything to yourself that you wouldn’t say to a friend. Failure isn’t in the falling down, it’s in the staying down. It’s okay to let others carry the burden sometimes.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
John Wooden. “Worry more about your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, and your reputation is merely what others think you are”.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I have always felt things deeply—so much so that I’ve often been told I care too much. That depth of commitment has shaped my journey. While have I found success in other career paths, success that many would consider reason enough to stay, I chose to walk away.
What I’ve discovered is that true fulfillment comes from following passions that resonate at my core. For me, aligning my work, in this case making a difference in the lives of our athletes and competitors, with what I genuinely care about has been the key to building not just a career, but a life filled with meaning and joy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://crewclassic.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crewclassic/#
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/san-diego-crew-classic/
- Twitter: https://x.com/crewclassic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crewclassic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/sandiegocrewclassic
- Other: Pinterest: https://pin.it/6ZpB7q6cJ
Image Credits
Food Truck Photo-Peter Ma
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