A nutritionist by training, he instructs his athletes to maintain a balanced diet. (No processed food before races. Stick to fruit for energy and coconut water for hydration.) Mr. Motta urges his rowers to spend time on their studies and think about futures that can be full of possibilities.

“We don’t just focus on rowing performance; we’re developing student athletes,” said Mr. Motta, standing in Parking Lot 77 at Marina del Rey in West Los Angeles, where the team assembles six days a week to train, rain or shine.

A small rowing program supported by private donations, RowLA cannot be compared to many of the well-endowed, elite teams around the country, some of which have been in existence for a century. The program lacks a boathouse. RowLA’s 17 sculls, rowing machines and other equipment sit in the parking lot, protected by tarps.

“What Hicu does is extraordinary,” said Iva Obradovic, a veteran rowing coach and former competitive rower. “He’s competing against rich, private teams. Hardly any coach would do it. He won’t get praise and glory for it. ”

The makeup of RowLA’s athletes says everything about Mr. Motta’s coaching philosophy, Ms. Obradovic said. “These girls are not typical rowers, but they show up, they have discipline and they do the work.”

When RowLA sponsored Mr. Motta for a temporary work visa in 2017, his 250-page petition documented more than two decades of success as a rower and coach. There were letters from senior Brazilian rowing officials, endorsements from rowing coaches and athletes from several countries and a detailed list of his accolades — more than 20 Brazilian championship titles in several categories.