SRA Stories: Ruslan Bagaveev

Sammamish Rowing Association (SRA) has been developing a rich community for 30 years. We have individuals at our boathouse now who have been with us through those transformative decades or who are brand new to us as of this fall season. We have been fortunate to have made an impact on so many individuals coming into our boathouse, one of which is Ruslan Bagaveev.

Bagaveev got involved in rowing when he had a free fall schedule while attending Interlake High School in 2011. He was deeply curious about the sport of rowing and had always wanted to try something new so joining the high school junior team seemed like the perfect way to spend his free time. When asked about his experience on the junior team, Bagaveev said, “It was amazing. I felt that the coaching staff had my back. I felt included in all of the fun activities and got to attend the Brentwood regatta in British Columbia. We didn't have much money at that period in time, yet the folks at SRA shouldered the burden and made sure I remained a part of the team.”

SRA has had a deep commitment to providing rowing experiences for all regardless of financial ability. Every year we raise tens of thousands of dollars for our scholarship fund and in 2025 we have already awarded over $50,000 in scholarships. By supporting our membership when they need assistance, we can continue to provide incredible rowing experiences, make the sport more accessible, and establish a welcoming place for all within our community.

For one year, Bagaveev rowed on the Junior Boys Team, considered a few offers to row in college, but decided to settle into his studies instead. During his year on the team, Bagaveev formed great memories. He distinctly remembered catching a crab (the act of a rower’s blade getting trapped in the water by momentum of the shell and then striking the rower or pushing them out of the boat) in September on a brutally cold and wet day. Coach Simon was quick to assist him back in the boat, make sure he was okay, and then gave him some pointers on how to improve his chances of staying in the boat in the future.

“Rowing taught me patience and to be in tune with the team,” Bagaveev said. “Flow and rhythm of the sport applies to more than just the shell. It is applicable to the ebbs and flows of life. I found myself thinking more about life in terms of rowing after being exposed to it. It was formative to my behavior then and now as an adult. I would absolutely recommend this sport to my kids and young adults in general.” Bagaveev still ergs to this day and it has become a staple in his gym workouts.

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Bagaveev earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management in 2017 from the University of Washington. Like his desire to try new things in high school, Bagaveev’s professional journey involved sampling different experiences. 

“I tried working at an electrical construction company as a project engineer,” Bagaveev commented. “I really liked it at the time. I worked for Prime and Cochran. I worked for several GC companies like Corti, Skanska, and WALSH. Eventually I got recruited by Amazon to build out their last mile delivery stations. Then COVID hit and I was stuck at home like everyone else in endless meetings. Although I enjoyed the technical design of the charging standards for the Rivian EV vans, I did not like the corporate world. I decided to leave and focused on trying several smaller companies with a more narrow focus in the residential building industry. Eventually, I founded Dryout which focuses on the residential and light commercial sector serving customers who experience a flood or a burst pipe. We mitigate and rebuild affected properties and work with insurance companies to find coverage for the affected clients.”

Corporate life lacked the personal connection Bagaveev craved, but now as the founder of Dryout, he has been able to merge his professional life with his desire to help people in need. That need for personal connection is often what drives people to join rowing! Eventually these two worlds collided when SRA discovered a leak from one of the drains in the mechanical room of the Hod Fowler Boathouse. Bagaveev carefully assessed the situation and proposed a plan to Simon Williams, SRA’s Director of Equipment and Facilities. He removed the affected drywall, cleaned, sanitized and dried the structure while also rebuilding the affected area.

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“It was incredible coming back,” Bagaveev said. “It was my first time seeing the new and improved boathouse from the inside. I could feel the energy in the building. I couldn't help myself and offered to do the work for free in order to give back to the organization. SRA and most importantly Coach Simon had an immense impact on my life.” These are incredibly kind words from a wonderful young man who we feel lucky to have as part of the SRA family.

In just one  year at SRA, Bagaveev formed a deep appreciation for our sport and it will always hold a special place in his heart. He fondly remembers running with his teammates to Marymoor after practice and picking up McDonalds or Taco Bell after particularly cold hard rows in the winter. That camaraderie has left a lasting impression on Bagaveev who returned to aid SRA in much needed restoration work this year. We are immensely grateful for the services he provided us through his company, Dryout, and we hope to see more of him in the future.

Bagaveev mentioned that he credits SRA with where he is today. SRA is strengthened by individuals like Bagaveev who come seeking new experiences, friendships, and are willing to put in some work to discover the benefits of our beloved sport. Thank you, Ruslan!

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