WHAT SOME PEOPLE WILL DO FOR A BREAKFAST SANDWICH

The text that Paul sent me last night on my phone read: Stephanie, Jimmy, David, Kim are rowing tomrrow. Join us. Simple straight forward elegant and to the point. Hah, I should have known better. With El Presidente and "his posse" we're not talking about some leisurely row around Children's Island. It more like "We're going to Manchester to do breakfast." Of course this information was never shared with me till I left the dock this AM. For those of you who have had the opportunity to do the Misery Island, let me fill you in it's another +2 miles further to the end of Manchester Harbor. In the best of days, crossing Salem Bay has it's challenges with the tides, boat traffic and wind. This morning 10+ breeze from the East and the row became what I would called the "teeth of the dog". No relief to speak of as we slogged our what to the lee side of Beverly. Maybe it would be more accurate to describe that I (and Kimberly) did most of the slogging. It seemed that every time I turned around the other three were like dots in the distant. This was Kim's first crossing and she rowed like a pro in Echo #4 Wings. I chose to row my Maas Aero, not the smartest choice in hindsight. It requires more skill than I was capable of producing at that moment. Someone once asked me "How does one go about rowing the Blackburn Challenge". My reply is one stroke at a time. And so it came to pass that Kim and I finally found ourselves at the end of Manchester Harbor stepping out of the shells and joining our comrades for breakfast. We ended up a a sweet upscale cafe specializing in great coffee and breakfast sandwich. Of course now it's time to head back home. Back to MHD and the basin behind Browns called our home. One would assume that the Easterly would now be in our favor but we know the rowing Gods never work that way. The wind shifted more to the south and a beam sea greeted us once we cleared "The Miseries". Now it was Kimberly waiting for me as I tried to maneuver my way through the chop mid-bay. 12.5 miles over all. Next time Paulie says "join us" I will: 1)Bring some money with me(It's my turn) 2)Take an easier boat to ride(unless it's absolutely flat water) 3)Expect a wild and unexpected time.

CLASSIC

Classic row this morning with Bob VanTwyver and Princess Stephanie. Bob  coaches at Florida Rowing Center, here to visit Rock n Row and get a taste of open water rowing. He’s been coaching 20 years, works with Gordon Hamiton. Thursday evening’s chop outside Brown’s whet an appetite for more and today he experienced the real deal. Didn’t get that flat water morning I was expecting, blowing a warm 10-12 from SW the plan was to go outside Children’s then to Misery. Ride to Children’s was bumpy and wet, Bob pulling hard to crest the swells, Steph questioning the wisdom of going outside. 

She rows a Maas 24, a wonderful open water boat that requires real skill in rough water, she rows it better than anyone I’ve ever seen. Decided to take a shortcut underneath rock lying off the island, narrow gut with rocky ledge at low water, which of course it was, I look for the opening with the least breaking wave and head through nice and smooth no touches, phew. 

Bob said afterwards “gave me the willies coming through there”. 

Steph was looking for some distance to loosen up so we headed for Misery about 3 miles on a following sea, surfing and playing, broaching a bit  occasionally but making good time. Managed to miss Brimbles thankfully although Bob came up on it pretty close, scared him a bit to hear crashing waves nearby. 

A sweet wet athletic ride. Nice.

After an interlude on the beach at Misery, chitty chat, stretch, pee, headed back at 240deg into headwind, chop and tidal mixing, boy was I happy to be rowing the Aero, nothing like a little stability when the chop is coming from three different directions. 

Great row, 7.9 miles, beautiful day, awesome workout, NO THINKING.

THURSDAY NIGHT NEWBIE INSTRUCTIONAL ROW

Like a gaggle of geese, the newbies huddle around the back of Browns as a receding tide finally pushed us into the decision of going around the island. At least for most of us. Great turn out this evening. Tzivya S, Susan B, Jaye V, were among the newbie anointed. Robert K, Brian C, Shelia R, club veterans joined us as well as El Presidente, Pauli along with a couple of guests Bob and Denise. The Captn makes 10. Like a well chorongraph dance we were able to launch and return to a very busy dock. Kudos to Chris Leake and Paulie for re-organizing the racks. Much easier to locate club boats and oars. Rockers PLEASE keep it organize by returning the boats back to where they came from. Tzivya is just getting her sea legs back for the season while Jaye on her third voyage in less than two weeks is beginning to sense the rhythm of the salt. Susan B after doing an "intro to row" membership last year sign back on as a full member. First time on the water for the season, shows that she has got great training from Coach Em last year and time on th water will accellerate he skills. Final thanks to Jaye's husband Brian who came to see what was up and was "drafted" graciously into helping us put the boats away. See ya all Sunday! Captn

SUNDAY-SUNDAY SO GOOD TO ME

Where to begin. Bagel World at 6:00 AM. No Pirate Punch at 5:30, then BW. Already there was a line, but at least not out the door. How many is rowing today? I think at least eight. 6 bagels should be enough but I better double the punch recipe just incase. It's looking to be a great morning. Incoming tide, blue skies, gentlebreezes. A long day to. First the club row, then10:30 instructional rows for the neverevers and Captain exams for the new rowers in the club. Got to the club house around 7:30 to spy two recent graduates from the Captn's test Erica and Donald returning to the dock. Erica all smiles this being her third row is just beginning to get the sense of swells and independent hands. Donald not so much. Early Sunday rowers have it lucky having only to bring the boats one way. Then in come the Motley Crew. Veterans for a few years now, they know the routine of boats, oars, slings and jackets. Gail D, Frank K, Shelia R, Kim W made up one pod which took the westerly route to Salem Harbor. Paul M, Stephanie B and Chas the Czar of our Sunday row making up the other chose to head northeast across the bay around eagles and beyond. A coordinated return to the dock around 10:00 gave us plenty of time for pumch and bagels b/4 the next crew was to arrive. Fast forward to 10:30 where we were met by Shawn and Connie C, Roger P ( who stumbled into our party from some passed around -mail), Shelia R, Jaye V, and Robert K. Paulie was kind enough to stick around and proceeded to take the first 3 who confessed to know what they are doing yours truly the other three who confessed to having no idea which wasn't really true. By the end of the 1 1/2 lesson five out of the six knew their way around to pass the practical exam and the sixth one not far behind. It was around 1:00 when the next from my wife told be I had enough play time on the water and I had to agree. Happy quite tired and off the water I returned to terra firma with wonderful memories and satisfaction around the first Sunday Row of the season. If this is any indication of whats to come. Bring it on. Captn'



ESSEX RIVER RACE

Essex Rive Race Results:


Women's Sliding Seat Racing, KILLER PRINCESS STEPHANIE BROCOUM, FIRST !!!!!!!! 
Men's Sliding Seat Touring, JIGGER HERMAN, FIRST !!!!!!!


Spectacular day, fun fun fun event, lots of faces from Blackburn. 
Thanks to the Rock n Row cheering squad, Eileen, Sarah and Pal, screaming their hearts out!


Cook's Trophy goes to Paulie Malloy, LAST in class, had a blast, felt like I was going fast but alas I came in last! I did however finish in 58 minutes which I am very happy about, under an hour!


Will definitely do this again next year, great way to kick off the season. 
Now for the next goal, 3.5 hour Blackburn!
                         

First Sunrise Row of the Season -- Fantastic!

Beautiful low tide with Hilary, Bobby, Howard, and Pal.  Rosy sun as we arrived at 5:15am, bright sunshine as everyone pulled the boats out at 6:30.  Lovely swells outside Little Harbor and beautifully calm in Salem Harbor on the way to Beverly Light House.  Tide coming in made the row back much easier.  So nice to see the water again after months away.  Hilary's comment -- "why have I waited so long to do this?"

JIGGER HERMAN SHOWING SOME GREAT FORM NAVIGATING THE ESSEX RIVER

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mV1IU4Hbras