The Lake Sunapee Rowing Club (LSRC) email announced their
annual Flag Pole rowing race would be Sunday, August 23rd at Georges
Mills from 6 am to 8 am. The boat categories would be singles,
doubles, quads and eights. After the races there will be a pot luck
breakfast at the beach.
This was an interesting email for competitive LSRC members,
but there was no way I could consider any type of crewing competition. Certainly three weeks of rowing lessons was not supposed to make me a competitor.
After our weekly lesson on Tuesday, KC approached me and
asked, “Steve, would you be my doubles partner in the Flag Pole race on
Sunday?” Never say, “I wish I had …” crossed
my mind, and I said “Yes, thanks for asking.” I did give KC an out option by saying, “If you can find a partner with
more rowing experience please do so and I will completely understand.”
To ease my restless nights before the race I was assured by
KC, “Steve, it is really a very causal, friendly, and low-key competition."
Enough said. Enjoy
the below four minute video of Steve’s participation in the Lake Sunapee Rowing
Club Flag Pole Race.
Rowing
Lessons with the Lake Sunapee Rowing Club (LSRC)
“Never say I wish I had …” is an expression that has always motivated me. All
summer I passed a road sign announcing, “Rowing Lessons Lake Sunapee Rowing Club.
Next class starts August 3.” I had watched snippets of racing shells on the
Merrimack River, TV, and in summer Olympics.
I decided this was my time to say, “Never say I wish I had rowed a
shell”.
I spoke to a friend who I knew was taking rowing
lessons with the LSRC – and she sent me the web site with a note of
encouragement to join.
I registered for the Novice classes – three weeks of
classes – three times a week – two hours each class. The LSRC provides the boats (also known as
shells). Rowing is often referred to as crewing.
Our coach, Brenda, is just an amazing instructor with
knowledge, skills, and a lot of patience.
Brenda makes the classes fun with personal instruction for each
student, and a wealth of education on learning the language and techniques of
rowing. Enjoy the below video of this novice student and my classmates as we team and row together to never have to say, “I wish I had learned to row.”
Bedford Community Television(BCTV) has accepted a 30 minute video (see below) detailing Steve's novice rowing experience. All community TV stations are welcome to use this video by contacting BCTV or by communicating directly with Steve. I share the below references for each reader's intense research to the fascinating sport of rowing.
Distinction
from other watercraft
“The distinction between rowing and other forms of
water transport, such as canoeing and kayaking, is that in
rowing the oars are held in place at a pivot point that is in a fixed position
relative to the boat, this point is the load point for the oar to act as a
second class lever (the
blade fixed in the water is the fulcrum). In flatwater rowing, the boat (also
called a shell) is narrow to avoid drag,
and the oars are attached to oarlocks at the end of outriggers extending
from the sides of the boat. Racing boats also have sliding seats to allow
the use of the legs in addition to the body to apply power to the oar. Racing
shells are inherently unstable, much like racing kayaks or canoes.”
Two
types of rowing
In sweep or sweep-oar rowing,
each rower has one oar, held with both hands. This is generally done in pairs,
fours, and eights. In some regions of the world, each rower in a sweep boat is
referred to either as port or starboard,
depending on which side of the boat the rower's oar extends to. In other
regions, the port side is referred to as stroke side,
and the starboard side as bow side;
this applies even if the stroke oarsman is rowing on bow side and/or the bow
oarsman on stroke side.
In sculling each
rower has two oars (or sculls), one in each hand. Sculling is usually
done without a coxswain in quads, doubles or singles.
The oar in the sculler's right hand extends to port side, and the oar in the
left hand extends to starboard side.
My
first boat was a quad scull.A quad
scull is a rowing boat designed for four persons who propel the boat by sculling with two oars, one in each hand. This four seater quad was 45 feet with
a weight of 200 lbs. Its cockpit width is 20 inches. Our two oars were 9' each.
My second boat was single scull one seater 24 feet
in length, 75 lbs., and a 20 inches wide cockpit designed for a single person who propels the boat with two 9’
oars, one in each hand. My third boat was a double scull two seater, somewhat similar to a single scull but has two rowers.
My fourth boat was an
Eight (8+), A 60 foot shell with
8 rowers and a coxswain. We did what is
called sweep or sweep-oar rowing where each rower has one 12
foot oar held with both hands. As each rower has only one oar, the rowers have
to be paired so that there is an oar on each side of the boat. Sweeping is
in contrast to sculling with my quad and single boats where a rower has
two oars, one in each hand.
Some
special attire is needed for rowing. Snug fitting shorts
and shirts are best as loose fitting clothing could get caught in the oars and seat
tracks. Compression type shorts are ideal. Dry socks is also a must. Socks
should be synthetic or wool to help ensure that feet stay warm while wet and will
help prevent blistering from the hull’s shoes.
Personal Insights of a Novice Still Learning to Scull and Sweep
As I was canoeing this week it hit me why canoe instructors always say, "Keep your paddle in the water during rough conditions." As sculling and sweeping oar blades in the water stabilized the boat, so does the canoe paddle blade!
In canoeing and kayaking the paddlers face the bow. In sculling and sweeping rowers face the stern. Thus the rower in the bow in the quad, double, and single need to frequently turn around to see where they are going. The bow person not only has to row, BUT has to make sure we are heading in the right direction and away from obstacles.
In learning to row the instructor does not usually have everyone row at the same time. Initially I thought this was to give me a rest. Later I realize while not rowing I still had a critical task keeping my blades on the water to stabilize the boat for the other rowers
In the eight, quad and double if I made a mistake, the rowers stabilized the boat for me. In the single this was my responsibility - otherwise I would capsize.
The Bedford Community Television(BCTV) 30 minute video detailing Steve's novice rowing experience is below. All community TV stations are welcome to use this video by contacting BCTV or by communicating directly with Steve.
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About OutdoorSteve
OutdoorSteve is more than just a blog; it is a way of life. OutdoorSteve is Steve Priest sharing his outdoor adventures and life experiences. OutdoorSteve includes blog posts, books, short stories, videos, lectures, and speaking events. To learn more or to book Steve for your next event email Steve atsteve@outdoorsteve.com or visit him on the web at OutdoorSteve.com
Outdoor Enthusiast provides outdoor places to go and things to do. Steve's mission is to motivate and encourage families and individuals to make the outdoors a key component of their daily life.
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When trying to explain my enthusiasm for outdoor actions, I paraphrase Thoreau's, "Discover I had not lived" with the expression, "Never say, 'I wish I had'."
The book provides places to go and things to do, but moreover the author’s stories and “I wish I had…” show individuals can, like the author, overcome self-made barriers and obstacles of health, physical, mental, and injury problems.
My outdoor pursuit began after a torn Achilles tendon, a resultant limp, and weight gain. I turned to physical activity in search of a stress reliever as well as a "lifestyle for the long haul."
My writings on 'Outdoor Play' enthusiastically portray the entertainment of the outdoors. Travel with me and meet the challenges of outdoor recreation that are the cornerstone of my lectures and stories.
I reside in Sunapee, New Hampshire with Catherine, my wife. We have two sons and two grandchildren.
If you're interested in having me speak, you can email me at steve@outdoorsteve.com or visit www.outdoorsteve.com.