Rowing - 7/29 & 7/31/16

Back in October of 2014, we did our very first rowing  events.  We all did our solo sculls and a couple of us were able to do the quad sculls.  We were able to add to those events this past weekend out at Dallas Rowing Club.


The DRC does formal "Learn to Row" classes and were willing to work with us on a couple of days to complete these events, deviating from their usual introduction.  The result was a couple of great mornings on the water getting to know a few of the club's rowers and trying out new equipment!


We started out early on Friday morning with two of us in a "quad-plus" boat.  The weather was great and the lake was calm.  This boat was set up to do "sweeping" (where each rower has only one oar).  This is not an Olympic event, but since none of us had ever done that sort of rowing, it was a good way to be in a more stable boat with assistance of two seasoned rowers.

L1 and L2 in the quad-plus with R and J in their doubles

While two of us were out in the quad-plus, the other two went out to do work on double sculls (sculling is where each rower has two oars).  Again, we were with a knowledgeable rower to help us get the hang of it.  We had previously been told that the doubles and pairs boats are by far the most apt to tip, so it would be very hard for novices to jump right in.  I'm happy to say that not one of us ended up in the water throughout the weekend!

J is all smiles in the double

On Sunday, we all had a chance to row the quadruple sculls.  We had more wind and the water was choppy, so it made for some interesting learning moments.  J and L1 had done this previously, but were happy to go back out again.  R and L2 had their first chance to try the larger boat and did very well!  A few of us "caught a crab" a time or two - meaning our oars got pulled under the water some.  We all remembered rule #1 - DON'T LET GO!

R and L2 rowing the quad sculls

Also on Sunday, one very brave soul at the club was willing to go out with each of us, one at a time, on the pair.  This is definitely the least stable boat of the bunch - very narrow and each rower only has one oar, meaning you must work very closely together to keep the boat level.  With the higher winds, we carefully picked a route that kept us closer to the dock.  A very special thank you to Bob for being so fearless and patient!

L2 heading out in the pair (sweep)

It was a great couple of days working with a number of fantastic people at the DRC.  Laura, Gina, Mel, Bob #1, Marianne, Kim and Bob #2 - thank you for being brave enough to take us all out!!!

With all of our new friends at the DRC!