Hey all. I'm still working on getting my new site up, which is taking much longer than I anticipated. It doesn't seem right that the last post on here was updated on April 4th, hence this new post. There is no specific topic to it, but rather just a friendly update.
Today I'm heading down to the boathouse for the first time since last summer. I'm going to turn in my summer membership so I can row there whenever I want! I'm so excited!! I will definitely be doing a lot of sculling this summer, hopefully teaching a couple of my teammates from OUWC if they come to visit. I'd really like to get the quad down and row that, and hopefully even do some sweep rowing. I plan on keeping in shape over this summer to say the least. I made the mistake of not keeping in very good shape last summer, and it definitely showed the following fall season.
Rowing has definitely become a huge part of my life. I've learned so much since my freshman year of rowing when I was first introduced. I remember my first day of crew like it was yesterday. The ride to the boathouse seemed to take ages. When I arrived, I got out of the carpool and walked to Anthony Wayne's bay. There, I was greeted by Coach Jen and Coach Brent. The varsity on other teams that we share the boathouse with were putting boats together and carrying them out to the water like it was nothing. Here I was, with absolutely no clue as to what was going on. I soon learned, and now I wonder as I rig boats and carry them down to the water if those new to the sport look at me and wonder the same things that I did when I first started.
There is so much to learn from the very basics of rowing, to the history, the multiple types and all about technique and optimizing your rowing stroke. It never ends. I have officially completed my fifth year of rowing and I know that I still have much more to learn. Rowing is a sport that takes years to understand fully. You can learn 90% of the stroke in a few days, but that last 10% takes years. The perfection and fine details only come with experience.
Last summer, I discovered a fun rowing alternative- dragon boats. They are large boats that are propelled by 20 people paddling with a short oar, similar to canoeing. Inside the boat are 10 benches that sit two people each (one on each side of the boat). Rhythm is kept by a person in the bow of the boat by means of a drum beat. Then, there is a steersman in the stern of the boat that stands and guides the way with a rudder.
I was eager for the event, and nervous at the same time. Once I learned that we had two chances to practice the technique before race day, my nerves were calmed and excitement settled in. Dragon boats is an all day event, but there was never a dull moment, which is why I am more than excited for this year's event. I'll be rowing with the same team as last year, some people returning, but some new faces as well. We won a couple of awards last year, and this year we hope to be even better. Needless to say, July 23rd cannot come soon enough.
That's all for now! Today, I leave you with this rowing quote:
"You have to force yourself to stay with rowing. If you put the first of your contact lenses in your eye, that is almost a sure guarantee that you won't go back to sleep. If you can get up and past the bed, then you will reach the kitchen. If you can reach the kitchen you can reach the front door. If you reach the front door, you will reach the car, and if you reach the car, you can reach the boathouse. Each step leads to the next one. You keep pushing yourself so that you will not quit." -- Tiff Wood from The Amateurs
