Here's to the Zen

The Capt respond to the "To all the specialists" post (seeking advice about improving speed through technique) with the comment that another approach is to not worry about it.....just go for the zen of rowing.

I'm here to second that idea, mostly to encourage new folk and prospective members who might be intimidated by some of our stars. If you don't care about heart rate and stroke rate and speed, there's still room for you. I know, cuz there's room for me.

I've been a member since RnR's beginning. Used to row a shell (which I still have), now row a sliding seat whitehall, a Heritage 12 (Little River Marine). In this boat, I don't worry at all about wakes and waves. It is relatively slow compared to a shell -- it weighs maybe 100 pounds, but I don't care at all about my speed. I mostly row by myself -- partly cuz I really like to, partly because I don't want to hold others back.

What do I do instead of monitoring my numbers? I get into the zone....the sound of the boat, the click of the oars in the oarlocks, the 'shoop' sound I deliberately make when I exhale in the stroke. I love the symmetry of the puddles I leave in my wake. I think about what the water is doing -- tide, current, wind. I look for birds. I stop and look deep into the water -- anybody notice the thousands of jellyfish right now? They're capsule-shaped; last year they were round. I explore the coast. Sometimes I chase fish action; no success yet, but I'd love to be in the middle of a school in a frenzy. I row a lot in Mhd harbor -- when the wind is right, you can row the length without dodging moorings -- and I look at boats, which is always a valuable past time, maybe chat with people I know. Sometimes I just hang out -- once I even read while I sipped some water at the mouth of the harbor (a Heritage has room for all sorts of stuff).

I'd also like to improve my technique -- efficiency is good, strength and technique are important if the wind comes up, and injuries ain't fun. But depending on your destination, sometimes you can find it faster by taking your time.