Sunday Row, 8/30 - additional pictures

I didn't hear about the Sunday AM row, so.......

I went out by myself. Relatively short row at 5 PM. There were white caps on top of the swells which made for a great row. I especially like it when the sea comes from the stern. Sometimes the large waves make the bow torpedo into a swell, almost stopping the boat. About half the scull disappears under water, then a little shudder and the boat pops out of the water. On the way in the wind and waves died so the conditions settles at about 2 feet waves.

Clocked a 4.5 miles row. Not too far, but very needed since I did not get out a lot last week.

Sunday Row 8-30-09

The hearty souls in this photo (Paul, Carmi, Stephanie, Sara, Eileen, Thomas and Jay) took off at a good clip to Misery this morning, arrriving to plain muffins and water for breakfast, provided by Jay in the best tradition of Marblehead seamen. Spirits ran much higher than the seas as onditions were good over and back and the clouds helped to keep boat traffic to a minimum. Thomas took the long route-- ten miles -- by rounding Misery twice while the rest of us rowed closer to eight. Sara and Eileen did beautifully, clearly defying the titles of Newbees or even novices. There were rumblings about putting a Rock N Row racing team together for one of the Northeast's head races (Housatonic, Green Mountain or Charles, for examples). We figured Jack needs a new clothing design project and the Viking can build a trophy case when he gets his heart rate below 150. In the meantime, all the superlatives about the joys of rowing around our blessed islands held true today. We all returned safe and sound and with that mysterious exhiliration that comes from being at one with the ocean.

Easy days in Barnstable

Before being pushed away from Provincetown by Hurrican Bill, and while services for Eunice Kennedy Shriver were happening only a fw miles away, Carmi and I with kids, cousins and siblings retreated to a little known gem of a place off of Barnstable. It is a protected five mile long and mile wide harbor that is shallow and too tidal for most motorized and keel boats. But for rowers it is perfect. We rent a place that overlooks it with a boat shed ideal for our shells and random kayaks. You live in tee shirts and bathing suits, letting the tides decide the priorities of the day. Next year we will try to organize a row in with R & R's new trailer that will be able to haul six or eight shells (any other board members listening?). Because the water is usually flat, it is a grand week to work on form --all the things that Emily listed so well when she wrote of taking out the Ace. So, with Carmi in her Aero and me in my Empacher, someone snapped the photo here of us heading out in the morning. Nice water, eh?

RIGHT DAY...RIGHT SPORT

Good Morning
Eileen and I went out this morning at the first hint of light. The sky had color but the sun was not yet up. There were more swells and chop than normal for that hour. We headed around Children's Island and there were similar conditions to Sunday around the rocky point. The temperature was perfect and we got to be out there at the most beautiful time of day. This is just to let the rest of you know that there is great rowing before 7 AM.

Sarah

RIGHT DAY...WRONG SPORT?

It was a mill pond type of morning. Could the water be any flatter as I departed from the dock off Anchorage Lane? Haze was lifting off the Beverly side of the bay as the sun began to peak over the horizen behind Misery. The oars dipped silently as I made my way into Salem Sound.
It looked like a perfect setting for rising fish. Low light, flat seas and 2 hours into a falling tide.

I was not disappointed when bait fish soon started busting around the middle islands. Sea birds with keen eyes flocked from all directions and soon a blitz was in action. This scene repeated itself over and over again during the hour+ of my row. Ended up doing around 6.5 miles but I was left with a tugging sensation. Did I pick the wrong sport this morning? No worries. My next step is to rig a couple of fly rods and get back to the action tomorrow.

E-mail from Sarah

We certainly did have a fun row on Saturday with perfect weather and water conditions.

I joined the 8:00 row this morning (I got to sleep in) and the water was very different. It was a good size group today with Jack, Stan, Sheila, Jon, Emily, Eileen and me. Thanks to Eileen, for rowing with me, I made it around Children's Island with all of the 'wild' waters. It certainly is different than the typical calm conditions at 6:00 AM. It was a challenge for me, but it was fun.
Sarah

It was a "SWELL" of a Sunday Row

No matter what your rowing pleasure happen to be, this past Sunday Row had it to offer. Well everything except perhaps flat calm, but who wants that anyways. "Mr. Bill" our resident hurricane 200+ miles to our east provided some great rolling swell sets alternating between large and REALLY large. A light WNW breeze and a falling tide made for some crazy mixed up patterns. The further out of the bay you ventured, the bigger the thrill. Kudos's to my team (Stan and Shelia). Sheila decided to row the early AM slot because as she said to me. "I want to row to Children's Island". Well with alot of Rockn and Rollin' we managed to get out as far as the western point of the island. Going around did not look that appealing to us so we turned west towards Gray's Island and what we hoped would be calmer seas. They were but not by much. G-d bless the Echo's. Shelia "popped" a pin but proceeded to stay upright. Check you equipment fellow warriors especially in rough seas.

The other team members made up of Jon, Emily, Sarah and Eileen decided to round the East side of Children's. From what I heard afterwards they had a fine taste of open water rowing by disappearing and re-appearing between the monster swells. But as Jon pointed out later, it wasn't as bad as we all predicted it to be. Another lesson learned by Eileen was to make sure your bow port is closed properly. Evidently, some one had opened it up in the Alden Star while it was stored on the racks. She took on water everytime the bow submerged. Check all ports before departing!
Hey, just asked anyone who made it out that morning. It was definitely a "swell of a time"

A little late coming

This is a little late coming...but thanks to Thomas and Carl for a great row Thurs. morning. With an hour before we had to be back in we launched and made our way, on as close to still water as you can get in the ocean, around Tinkers. Thomas set out in the Dolphin, Carlton in one of the new Stars and I in the Ace.

It took a little while for my body to get my bearings in the Ace. Because she's so narrow and long she's far more sensitive to subtle shifts in body movement. The technical effort brought me back to my river roots and I found my internal checklist running: knees together, light catch, sit centered, even pressure on my feet, accelerate my blade, strong & even finishes, elbows up...and it goes on and on. Believe me when I say the list is endless.

I've also often wondered how choppy it can get before you'll end up upside down in the Ace. I realized, though, that I was more likely to end up underwater from being tired and thinking too much than from lots of chop. Ask me if I feel the same way when I go out in rougher water. ;-)

At the end of it all, though, rowing the Ace is really fun and boy, does it feel good to be fast.

Negative low tide makes for a steep climb

Even though the Alden Star only weighs in at about 40 Lbs, it sure was heavy to haul up from the float today due to the negative 1.27 low tide. Tomorrow the tide will be even lower at around 6 PM, but hopefully I will not be by myself.

The row was a daredevil kind of row. I went around Children’s Island clockwise!!! I believe it’s the first time this has ever been attempted. I felt I was in the Bermuda Triangle, waiting for something really bad to happen, but nothing did. It was almost flat coming out of the Club House Cove. When I rounded Children’s the wrong way, I got a welcoming breeze that cooled me down to a comfortable level. Chop increased to 6 inches and stayed that way until I rounded Marblehead Rock. A nice finish across the mouth of Marblehead Harbor finding my way around the Etchels going out for an evening race.

At the end I logged 4.5 miles within 52 minutes at an average heart rate of 148. I just love that Garmin. It’s a beautiful thing.

Happy rowing into the Zone and beyond.

Jon

RockNRow'n in Provincetown

Hello from the peaceful waters off Provincetown Harbor and today's "Peace, Love & Go-Go Boots" Carnival! Thanks to Jay, Paul and Jack & all others involved in the 2009 planning and now vision for a Marblehead to Provincetown Row in 2010! See you all on Salem Sounds waters in September. Maryellen

MHD to P-town Adventure Row Called off till next year

Dear Members,
Nature has won out. This Saturday 10 club members in two Echoes were planning to leave our dock at first light for Provincetown. Marine forecasts are now predicting 6 to 10 foot swells from Hurricane Bill as it passes Bermuda, not to mention possible fog, high winds and lightning storms. The rowing gods are speaking to us and we are listening. Not this year. However, enthusiasm for holding the event next summer has not waned. Art Capstaff and Paul Mazonson, who had generously offered their large watercraft as chase boats, are committed to giving it another try. I also want to acknowledge Maryellen Solomon-Auger for organizing things on the Provincetown side where she is camped out for the month of August, rowing and holding learn-to-row clinics. And to the rowers and support staff who had signed up to put ten to twelve hours on the sea, thanks for embracing the Rock N Row ethos. They are: Jean and Chuck Verbridge, Terri and Chris Leake, Jack Tatelman, Jon Hanke, Paul Mazonson, Art Capstaff, Maryellen Solomon-Auger, Tobey Solomon-Auger and Carmi and Jay Paris. Thanks also to Carlton Sparrell for offering to lend his inflatable to serve as a launch, and to Capt. Jack for offering to fly Maryellen and Tobey from Provincetown to Marblehead on Friday afternoon.
Next year... Jay P

"Too much fun" - photos 1

Click here to view the rest of the "Too much fun" photos.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=vogeltho&target=ALBUM&id=5370970108030269025&authkey=Gv1sRgCLjrrvmI3-qd2wE&feat=email

"Too much fun" - photos 2

'"TOO MUCH FUN... THAT'S NEWS TO ME"

A great quote from Commader Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen. Well, I think we came close to the edge for this past Sunday Rowing Adventure.

First off was the traditional Sunday Row when 10 Peaceful Warriors took to the bay in what was just perfect rowing conditions: flat water, gentle breeze (albeit very gentle) and clear skies. In attendance were: Thomas rowing the Dolphin. Chris and Emliy in the two new Alden Stars, Jon in his black night Alden, Chas, Scott O, Jean, Eileen and Dana in our tried and true Echos and yours truly in the Maas Aero.

Our only real excitement was an early mix-up between Eileen with a local lobster boat. It was more like an nudge than a broadside but I'm sure it was scary for Eileen who got a real life flippn' experience.

Then it was on to the cut behind Little Misery which was nicely flooded due to the early morning tide. Most of the team turned towards the beach for a well deserved frolic in the water. Scott O and Dana had to turn around right away and Emily, Jon and Thomas decided to add another mile by covering Big Misery and joining us on the other side. (I think we got the better deal spending more time IN instead of ON the water.)

A return back to the dock where we were greeted by a full set of sweets and lemonade complements of Debbie T (my better half) and a group of members waiting patiently to jump into the water, don lifejackets, flip boats and get back in. What a great job Emily and Terrie did in hosting this event. Jay N, Stan, Shelia, Shelly, Scott S and Andrew. Please click on the "you tube" video in Thomas' blog to see just how easy Emily makes it in the Alden Star.

Just when we all thought the fun would end, it was time for the newbie instructional row. Jay N, Gail, Andrew, Stan, Shelia, Terrie in the Echos, Scott S in the Alden Martin ,Thomas in the Wintech 24 and Julie and I in the Alden Double traveled down the coast towards Salem Harbor learning how to dodge all the weekend warriors in their bowriders barreling down upon us with little regard or curtesy. Seeking refuge by hugging the coast, we were still able to get a 4 mile row together.

Returning home exhausted at 1:30, I realize that I had been on water or around the club house for over for close to six hours. It was a close as I have come in a long time to having too much fun.
Thanks guys for an incredible Sunday

Emily's Flip Clinic #2 a huge success

Sunday morning turned out to be perfect for Emily's second flip clinic.

Her instructional video about how to re-enter a rowing shell after capsizing can be seen below










Thank you's go to everyone for participating and to Emily for being the hostess of this excellent clinic.

Additional thanks go to Jack and his wife Debbie for the wonderful sweet treats and cold refreshments, and Terrie for instructional support.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6oaWxlcWHM to watch instructional video.