Good Echo Weather

Not so good weather for Alden Stars.

Headed out this morning for my second row of the season, with Thomas, Charlie, Jon and I in Echos, Stephannie and Emily in the club Aldens. The calm of little harbor was somewhat misleading as the wind and waves created a confused chop at the gap between Gerry and Brown's Islands. As we Echo rowers opened our bailers, Stephannie and Emily were getting soaked and taking on water - prudently deciding to head back in search of more stable boats. Thomas followed them in, while Jon, Charlie and I headed off towards Beverly Light.

Once around Peach's Point, the seas became more organized and once in the lee of Coney Ledge, Coney Island and Great Haste the waves died down a bit. Still, we were rowing with the wind and waves at our backs - or more accurately off the starboard bow - requiring my full concentration on the stroke, greatly slowing me (with my lack of technique) down. Jon showed the navigational skill of the Vikings of old and made his turn off Beverly light - Charlie and I ended up closer to Endicott College.

Turning around, we now had a following sea and breeze, making short work of the return trip. It was the type of conditions where a carefully timed stroke can get you a big push before the crest of a wave. Stopping for a breather before the last leg across the south channel, it seemed the wind alone would be enough to deliver us home. Looking to avoid the churn at the entrance to Little Harbor, Charlie and I ducked into Doliber's Cove, only to find that the ebbing tide had raised the bar to Brown's Island, requiring us to circle the island to make it home. Fortunately, the cross-chop seemed to have died down allowing us an easy row back to the club house.

As Jon said back at the dock, it was definitely Echo weather out there, but still a wonderful day for a row.