1ST ANNUAL BEACH CLEAN UP MET W/GREAT SUCCESS

As you can see from the mound of garbage that Terrie and Chris Leake are standing on, the 1st Annual Beach Clean Up was very successful. First of all who ever is heading up the weather committee, kudos! Sunday AM was sunny, bright and balmy. We had over 30 people (family units, girlscouts troups, couples and singles) come by over the 3 hour period to pick up a bag, gloves and chip in to clean the beaches. They all gave us glowing praises for organizing this event and hope that we can do more of them. In attendance from the RnR crew were: Maryellen, Jon, Scott O, Stephanie (with hubby and dog), Dee, Jane, Art, Terrie Chris and myself. Special thanks for Terrie and Chris for pulling the yoman's work in organizing the even. Even w/their busy schedules including westcoast graduations, they were able to seamlessly put this together. A shout out also goes to Mike Lane from Park & Rec for helping us make this a reality.

My first amazing row

Woke up early on Saturday morning to get ready for my first row. I don't know why but I was a little nervous. What is the weather like, what am I going to wear (its not sunny out there) and will the water be calm for my first row. All layered, water, whistle, sunglasses (just in case) and I'm ready to go. Captain Jack was there to greet me. Always a smile on his face. After a little time everyone showed up, boats were brought down to the dock and off we went. WOW, I missed this. Such a great place. The workout is great but at the same time the peace you feel just being out on the open waters. For all you Rock n Rowers who haven't made a point to reserve a boat and get out make it happen. It is truly amazing! When am I going to get out there again?

"DOUBLE TROUBLE" ENJOYS 1ST TIME ON THE WATER

Saturday AM after the return of the row Thomas and Jack thought it was time to break out our new (or at least new to us) Alden double. After a few minutes of setting up the oarmasters and "squeaking" the riggers, she was brought to the dock for a quick shake down cruise. Both of us had the opportunity to row in both positions and came back with wide grins on our faces. "Double Trouble" will ultimately become a great addition to the clubs growing fleet. It's a gas to row. Extremely fast (especially when Thomas is in the "power seat". It will be a great trainer for Newbies as well as those looking to improve their technique. Make sure you give it a try sometime this summer.

SUNDAY MORNING ROW (DONE SATURDAY)

Due to the Community Beach 'Clean-up" day to be held tomorrow (Sunday), there was a "all call out" alarm to get out the row for this Saturday. Cloudy skies and a morning passing shower did not deter this hardy group of RnR'rs. 7:00 AM found us down at the boat shed busily moving shells, slings and oars, anxious to get ourselves onto the bay. In attendance were: Dana Y and Richard M (1st time out this season for both or them, Jon H., Maryellen S., Thomas V and Jack T. The skies brighten, wind softened and the crew was treated to a welcoming rise in temperature as we started the row. Our Loop took us around MHD Rock, Outside Childrens where we were treated to some wonderful rolling swells, Outside Eagle. There, Thomas, Richard, and Maryellen parted company and continued to work their way around Misery Island. Jon, Dana and myself rounded Can 5, Nun 6, North Coney Ledge, West of Grays rock and back into our basin we call home. Total 6.1miles for us 8 miles for them. Great row for all those in attendance.

NEWBIE INAGURAL ROWS

Two of RnR's newest members Art Capstaff and Scott Smith were finally able to find their "sea legs" and rowed for the first time in am Echo. This morning with the pea soup fog Terrie and Jack attempted to get a few of the never evers out on the water. Last minute cancellation brought down the numbers to one. So Art got the benefit of a 2 on 1 instructional lessons. Like all never evers he suffered through the first few minutres of fear and anxiety. But by the time the 45 minute lesson was over, he was rowing so pretty stable circles around the back of Brown Island. Jack caught up with Scott at the end of the day asking him if he would like an oreintation row. With a full tide bay and deminishing winds, conditions were perfect to learn. Scott has rowed before and showed with his comfort in the shell and the quickness he understood the different drills. He could benefit greatly by a few pointers from Thomas and Jay. But time on the water should build up his technique and comfidence. Kudo's to both of them for getting out and row.

Moving the Boats - Visuals from last Sunday

Since rain and bad weather has put many of us into a halt position, here are some pictures from last Sunday activities. We can enjoy at least the beautiful setup of our fleet, knowing that the boats are ready and better days are ahead of us.

THIS WEATHERS A BUMMER

Twice now this week I've ventured back into my old neighborhood of Anchorage Lane to go for an early moring row. Twice now I have been met with raw temperature, Northerly winds, low tides and a choppy bay. What gives?? Perhaps in my earlier age I would have braved the elements. Even now I'm willing to take my fair share of abuse from the seas and sky. I've rowed in rain, in fog, in some major chop as well as cold temperatures. But not all of it together and not at 6:00AM. I have returned home dejected but optimistic that the best days of rowing are still in front of us.

FLIPPED THE SCULL AND COULDN'T GET BACK IN

I was out rowing my new Wintech 24 explorer in Salem harbor this morning around 10 AM. Beautiful day, dead calm. My row started at the Village Street Dock heading towards the dead end of the harbor (South West). It's somewhat of a minefield of buoys to begin with. After negotiating all of them (or so I thought) I stepped on it, picking up speed. Then at the very end of the drive (the stroke) my port oar struck a large buoy, forcing the oar under water and parallel to the scull. This force was more than plenty to flip the scull instantly.
I did not go into panic mode, but definitely into a high alert mode because the water is cold. I turned the scull right side up, and tried to get back in. I did this trying to slide in from the rear of the boat. However, to have a stable boat the oars needs to be perpendicular to the boat, which I was not able to achieve in the process. Further, the water in the cockpit of the scull makes it very unstable as well. . After my second attempt I decided that I was using too much energy and I needed to come up with another solution.
Crying out for help entered my mind, but nobody was around. (I forgot that my newly purchased CO2 inflatable Stormy Seas life preserver has a whistle, but I don't know if anybody was close enough to hear it. Amazing how that works, when you need people they never seem to be around). I had my cell phone in a zip lock bag, but decided against using it for now.
So my solution to the problem was to slide my upper body over the scull, getting most of my body out of the cold water, and to use my legs to swim towards shore which was only about 150 yards away. It actually took a long time to cover the distance.
Back at the rocky shore line, I was able to empty the scull of water and to get back into it. And yes, I continued to row, but closer to land.
Here are a few comments to my ordeal:
1) The gasp effect (the body's involuntary reaction to cold water) is definitely present. (This was part of the Coast Guards presentation a couple of weeks ago) However, I did not suck in any water.
2) The cold water sucked the energy out of my body at a very fast rate.
3) I will purchase a water proof floatable VHF radio that will be tied to the scull
4) I will come up with a small bailer that will be tied to the boat
5) I obviously need to figure out how to get back into the scull, and I should probably have tried getting into it from one of the sides in stead from the rear.
I know that the club rule is that nobody using club boats row alone. However, if this flip had happened at the end of a row (i.e. tired), in windy conditions and in rough sea, I am not sure how one rower can help the other rower getting back into the scull. So some training and procedures would go a long way.
I obviously are not writing this to scare anybody away form the sport. Further, the Echo's are very stable boats and easier to get into. But if you haven't tried to get back into a scull, you should go behind Brown Island and train until you can master the recovery of a flip. I know I will.
Happy Rowing.


Jon Hancke
Viking Construction LLC.
153 Village Street
Marblehead, MA 01945
O: 781-631-5444
C: 781-771-2189
M: Hancke@comcast.net

Great First Sunday Row - Visuals

Adding some additional proof to support Capt Sparrow's report.

AND WHAT A GREAT ROW OUR FIRST SUNDAY ROW TURNED OUT TO BE

Who would have thunk based on the boomers and clappers we had around 6:30 this morning. But when the motley crew finally made an appearance, (so much for rigged and ready on the water by 8:00AM), our first Sunday Row was met w/clearing skies, flat water and a rockn'ready group of individuals anxious to row. In appearance was; Jean V, her son Chris, Thomas V, Paul M, Stephanie B, Chas H and yours truly. Missing in action was Dana Y(last minute cancellation due to a family sleepover), Maryellen S, (came looking for us around 8:50 but we were long gone)and Jon Hanke (Jon what happen??). Anyways, we ended up crossing the bay on a true north bearing to the Lighthouse off Beverly, sometimes as a group, sometimes pairs and sometimes alone. It was an incredible sight to see so many sculls at once on the water. Round trip was around 6 miles (depending what route you took home). Stephanie probably did a little more with her "right/left" rowing technique. Upon our return to the yard we proceeded to move all the racks and boats over to the right shed our "official" Summer Home. Special thanks to all the heavy lifting done today folks to make this happen and Stephan (Stephanies' husband, potential member and soon to be nominated president of the RnR "booster club")much appreciation for bringing us coffee, drinks and muffins.
So the only question remaining to ask is: WHO'S GOING ROWING THIS WEEK?

WE'RE ROWING

Lookin good for a row. Jackie and I are rigging now, come on down!!!!!!

BUMMER

6AM Sunday morning. I awake to lightning and distant thunder. Thinking "It'll pass over, be gone by rowing time".

Cold outside, low 50's. Raining now. Don't want to give up the possibility that we'll row this morning but it's looking pretty dismal. 

And then there's the question, "If I don't row this morning, then what?"

Maybe I'll clean up my home office. 

Needs attention for sure but what a boring substitute for a club row. 

Or maybe I'll just chill out and let the day unfold without expectation, after all it is a holiday!  

PS This is a personal reflection only, in my official capacity as cofounder, board member and   whatever, I say "Lets go!" At least we'll get the racks moved.

AS SEEN IN THE MHD REPORTER 6/21/09

Marblehead Rowing kicks off third year with the Blessing of the Fleet
By Kris Olson / marblehead@cnc.com
Thu May 21, 2009, 02:19 PM EDT

Marblehead - Last Sunday, May 17, marked the official opening of RocknRow, also known as the Marblehead Rowing Club, the premier saltwater recreational rowing club on the North Shore.
Although only in its third year, RocknRow continues to grow and prosper, thanks in part to its wonderful membership and the great waters that surround the Marblehead community.
Thomas Vogel, the RnR’s newest board member, is first to admit: “I’ve been rowing most of my life, and I’m pretty amazed of what this club has been able to accomplish in such a short period of time.
“Though most of the initial credit should go to the two co-founders, Paul Mazonson and Jack Tatelman, it’s thanks to the membership at-large that we have grown so quickly,” he said.
Jack Tatelman added: ”There truly is a pent up demand for saltwater rowing. Whether you are a never-ever or have enjoyed the sport before, there’s nothing like rowing the bay around our town and surrounding community.”
Those looking to try it out may join them at Riverhead Beach on June 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on National Learn to Row Day.

FRIDAY MORINING MEM DAY WEEKEND

Found myself waking up around 5:00 this mornng. Bad news: not sleeping much these days. Good news: I was phyched for row. Push off the beach at my home on Anchorage Lane and was treated to a rising sun greeting my 1st sweep of the oars. Southwest breeze and accompanying chop met me as I turned the corner off Peach's Pt. What was I in the mood for? MHD Rock, Tinkers, Bakers? In the end I did a MHD Harbor Loop. Slog the chop to the Light house on the neck, the hugged the coastline ...Neck, Riverhead Beach, Mainland. Turned into the Club "cut". Looking for others (Thought perhaps I'd see Maryellen by this time), back side of Browns and a downwind slide to home. 6 miles in total. Nice row.

Its here folks! Our first weekend of the Rock n Row season.

Happenings:
Inaugurating the FAT Row....what's the FAT Row?, you ask.
Oh...that's the Friday Afternoon Thebestwaytoendtheworkweekrow
5PM today

Tomorrow we need help distributing leaflets and putting up posters around town advertising Learn To Row Day.
We're hoping to score 6 new members and we need to revenue so please help get this jumpstarted.
Let me know if you are available to help tomorrow @ 10AM. (Steph, you still available?)

SUNDAY CLUB ROW 8AM RIGGED AND READY PLEASE
after the row we plan to move boats and racks to the "summer shed"
As Jackie says, "Many hands make for light work." Come row and work.
You never know, may be pirate punch as a reward!

Important Message to Members

Since "Blessing Day" last Sunday several of you have asked about training for The Blackburn Challenge and those of us commited to rowing the 20+ miles on July 18 have been organizing training schedules.
Personally I plan three days per week of training rowing 1-1 1/2 hours ea session for the next few weeks. After that I'll work in some interval workouts and longer rows building to three hours by July4.
Those of us training for Blackburn are also commited to rowing with all of you learning to row and/or at different levels of ability. And yes it is fun for us so please don't hesitate to ask. If we are off on a training row we may decline and look for another time but understand that its about getting adequate training time in the short few months we have to prepare for this marathon row.
Happy rowing, hope to see lots of you Sunday for our first Club row. We are planning to move the boat racks to the other shed Sunday post row and will need people power so please come.

Loops & Distances

Does anyone have a handle on distances for loops out of Little Harbor?  I recall Paul or Jack posting some loops last season for Inner Harbor, Tinker, Children's & Misery.  Thanks for posting.  Another great row around Tinker today -- rowing is just the best thing for the whole me!  See ya' out there.

Maryellen

Poster for National Learn to Row Day

Let's spread the word.

June 6 is National Learn to Row Day. We will be presenting our fleet and introduce rowing to anyone interested at Riverhead Beach from 11am-2pm.

First row round Tinker this season

I enjoyed a simply beautiful morning and row around Tinker today.  It sure is great to be back on the water!

For those that can row mid-week -- you'll find me setting off from Gas House beach (very near Marblehead Trading company) at least 3 mornings during the week.  

I'm looking to steadily increase distance with the Blackburn Challenge my goal this season.   Let me know if you'd like to join me.

Rowing week of May 18

Anyone interested in rowing Wed or Th, May 20 0r 21? If yes, please reply by my e-mail, charak@nclc.org, or call my office phone, 617 542-8010 (or my cell, 781 307-6775). This will be my maiden row of the season (well, not counting 3 days at FL Rowing Center).

Charlie Harak

LOVED THOSE ECHOS!!

Not to be deterred by todays weather, your two co-founders and "fearless leaders" Paulie and Jackie ventured out late afternoon to enjoy the "slop and chop"turned up by todays storm. Headed out towards Tinkers Island and got a little passed Tom More's rock when we felt it prudent to turn back. (I guess that presentation on cold water survuval given by MHD Aux Coast Guard was still ringing in my mind). Coasted behind Browns for some final flat water before returning to the dock. Around 4 miles total. Both Echos Wikson and Wings rowed held up like champs!

Blessings to All - Visual Impressions

Thank you Kathie for the wonderful energy and spirit you shared with everyone this morning.