RnR's Newest Addition to the Fleet

Please welcome the club's newest addition to our fleet the "Little Rocker". This 13ft Whaler (pictured beside our Co-founder and fearless leader "Paulie") is a perfect boat for Coach Emily to continue her quest to make us all better rowers. Whether you are a "newbie" just starting out in the sport or an intermediate who could benefit from some pointers, "Em" is the person you need to reach out to.
Oh.... and yes will make a great provision boat to carry the "goodies" for a Misery Island Picnic.
Can you say "Adventure Row?"

Fath's Day IV

Jay Paris, Jean Verbridge Dave ("The Ringer" --- Emily's husband) and I were setting up our boats on the float dock, when behind us we hear a loud "ARRRRRR!" and see a seeming "Madman on the Water," dressed in a pirate hat and dreadlocks. About the same time, I noticed a cooler on the dock with skull and bones banner draped over it. None other than our own Cap'n Jack, of course! Jack had agreed to host this past Sunday's row, and of course he did it in great style. The 5 of us rowed out to Tinker's in a gentle south wind that brough us some small waves once we cleared M-head neck. On the way back, we swung around the back of M-head rock, which brought the wind and current at our stern, making for a quick ride home. On the docky, we shared bagels, creamcheese, and fruit juice mixed with a choice of 3 rums. Thank you Cap'n Jack for a great Father's Day!

ANOTHER DAY ANOTHER ROW

Signs of rowing in full swing:

I open my eyes and look at the tree tops to see if there is motion in the leaves.

When i get out of bed and walk down the stairs my body feels 20 years younger.

We'll be out with friends and I'll say, "Gotta go now, rowing in the AM!"

Rocks and water feel like home.

Kathie wakes to coffee and a note that says...Gone Rowing

My car is full of rowing gear.

RnR blog is the first thing I check.

I feel like the luckiest guy alive to be rowing with Rock N Row!

WHAT'R YOUR SIGNS?????

AN INCREDIBLE FLAT WATER DAY

I'm not sure this picture of Paulie behind Children's does justice to just how flat the water was this morning. Sometimes the only ripples you could see were the boats wake or those made by the oars dipping and droplets of waters rings between each drive. I believe we had between 9-10 pieces of equipment on the water this AM. I have heard the expression that "rowers do more before 8:00AM than most people do all day." It has a ring of truth to it. First the Sunrise Gang of Eileen and Sarah made their early morning ritual to Misery and Back. This was followed up by: Terrie and Chris Leake, Seth Pappas, Jane Snowden and Jean Verbridge who were on a magical mystery tour around Tinkers. Yours truly and Fearless Leader Paulie did a "Chat and Row" around Childrens taking in the #7 Green Can on the NE Tip because, well I seem to have this obsession about going around objects. I felt very blessed to be part of this morining rowing experience and sharing it with my co-founder. What more can I say but....get out and row guys!!

BORED (AND TIRED) IN DC AIRPORT

A WITTL BIT O FOG!

Sunday morning on the water, a bit grey and a bit cold.
On the dock Chaz says, "Gonna be flat water today, weather underground says winds under 6 mph!" I chuckled as we headed out to Children's planning an open water loop around Bakers. Swells were 1 1/2 to 2 feet with a brisk 10kts of breeze. Climbing and falling off some pretty good swells.
Being exposed seemed questionable so we headed towards Beverly via Eagle Bar.
The group, Viking, Eileen, Chaz, Seth and me self stretched out. As we rounded nun 6 it was clear we'd be navigating our way back, the coast had just plain disappeared! Gone! There a minute ago, gone now.
We headed off, still somewhat spread out, on a heading of 270 (our standard heading home 270). After a few minutes I sensed we might be heading in towards Salem Harbor. Checked the GPS and sure enough we were much further in towards Salem than I previously thought. An adjustment, another 20 min and the rocks of Fluen Point showed themselves. All's well.
A couple of thoughts....
Good thing I had the GPS! Had I not, we likely would have rowed into Salem or Beverly thinking we were headed into M'head. Then had to grope our way back. Not a big deal but there would have been a fair amount of rising anxiety.
Staying together is critical. As we navigated home I was not at all concerned about finding our way, I was very concerned about getting separated, Viking had no compass..if we lost him he'd be on is own.
And a reminder: this is ocean rowing, the fog rolls in, the wind picks up, the swells come marching. We're on our own.

Sign up for The Bertha Challenge

Bertha is fullfilling her duties as an asset to the club providing mobility, opportunity and reach. In order to maximize her usefullness however we need to expand our fleet of drivers.

Do you have what it takes to be a Bertha Mover?

You'll need:

an SUV

a trailer hitch

a light connection

solid spatial orientation

Sign up for The Bertha Challenge, a little practice and you'll be backing down Cradleskid Lane like a Pro!

A GREAT COMMUNITY ROWING DAY

I guess the day could have been warmer, the sun brighter and the crowd larger, but the Captn' could not been any prouder of how the RnR Crew came together to make this 4th Annual event so successful.

First (and formost) my apologies for leaving early. I feel guilty about not being able to hang around to clean up. It's a long story, not worth going into here, but I am appreciative for those of you who understand my predicament.

Second, I would like to recognize some specific individual who pulled yoeman work and know by doing so, I might be leaving out some people on this list. For that I send out my second apology in advance if I overlooked you.

To: Stephannie Brocoum our Event Coordinator. I don't think we have ever done a more organized event. You has set a very high bar for all future RnR endeavors. I am sincerly grateful for your passion and commitment to the club. Just No MAAS....

To:Terrie and Chris Leake for all the effort you put forth in managing the food (numerous pick ups and deliveries) as well a the "Ribboat" Patrol. You two have always been great support of the club and this occasion was no different. What ever we have asked, you have responded graciously. I am so grateful.

To: The Sunrise Gang (You know who you are...) Not sure how much money we collected for the Shameless Commerce Division of RnR but I'm sure it was in capable hands thanks to you two. Looking to row at pre-dawn? Sarah and Eileen are the partners for you.

To: Jon (the Viking) Hancke and Stephen (Booster Club President and Stephannie's Husband). Many thanks for manning the grills. (Bringing them down, setting them up cooking on them and taking them away) I ate my weight in burgers and dogs!

To: Jean V who manned the registration both and was the 1st line for greeting our "future" RnR Members. Sign this, go here, put on this... So many instructions, so little time.

T0: Chas, Dee, Gail, Carlton, Seth, Scott who were on site to help out in any way possible. I still hear Dee yelling out numbers like we're a restaurant. #9 your order is ready.

To: Roberto, our club photographer, who was there at the beginning and stayed to the end capturing the best of RnR History.


To: Paulie our co-founder and the Czar of "Big Bertha". He has even got better at hauling around our 30ft rig. It's a thing of beauty to see him to do the cut into Cradle Skid Lane.


To: Emily and Thomas out there on the bay riding around on the rib w/Chris Leake wishing they were rowing instead of making sure everyone returned safe back to shore.

To: Maryellen of Echo Rowing, Gary and Nancy of Alden Rowing, John Apollo and the gentleman from Maas(who's name escapes me) for bringing in their boats, their talent and their passion to salt water recreational rowing.


Lastlty, To: The 30+ people who made it out to check out the boats, the club and find out why we are so addicted to this wonderful, crazy sport.

Blessings and thanks to one and all

Captn'

Latest member of the RnR Swim Team

A couple days ago, I was reflecting about how in the first year of rowing there is so much new to learn, and when you start the second year, you worry that you will have forgotten everything. And then comes the the third year, and you find you're frustrated that you didn't pick up right where you left off.

As Charlie and I arrived at the dock this morning, Thomas and Stephanie were just returning from their row. I had reserved a Star, but after hearing that the swells were up, I decided to switch to the Echo that Stephanie already had on the dock.

Rigging the boat has become second nature to me, and as I stepped in and pushed off from the dock I prophetically commented to Charlie how easy it was to get in the Echos compared to the other boats.

At the entrance to Little Harbor the rollers were indeed coming in strong. I switched into power mode to push over them into the open water. As I pulled a power stroke through a swell, my port oar popped up and out of the lock while my starboard stroke pushed me over and out. It all happened incredibly quickly: I was out of the boat and back in faster than you can say "hypothermia".

I took a moment to get my bearings and take account of my errors (in reverse order of their occurrence). I was in such a hurry to get out of the water, I had remembered to put both oars in hand, but hadn't stopped to put my red oar back in the lock. This time, the Echo was forgiving enough that I was able to re-rig with careful balance on-board. Any other boat and I would likely have taken a second swim.

I was surprised to find that my dunking was not the result of an equipment failure - I know I had closed both gates before leaving the dock, and had checked that the locks were in the right direction. Yet, there was nothing to indicate a mechanical problem. This was clearly human error. In my overconfidence, I realized, I have been snugging, but not sufficiently tightening the gates. My stroke through the swell must have caused me to pull up enough to pop the oar out.

Weather conditions were ideal - the sun was out, the wind not too bad - so after considering the options I headed back to grab my fleece off the dock and we continued our row. I figured we could row around the point and if I felt chilled we could abandon the row. Fortunately, my sailing shorts and rock n row patagonia shirt (available at better clubs near you) dryed quickly, and before long I was too warm to wear the fleece.

Despite 15 minutes of paranoia which caused me to stop every dozen or so strokes to check that my gates were still tight enough, we ended up having a great row. We hugged Peach's and Fluen points, before rounding Naugus Head and going deep into Salem Harbor to round the #2 day beacon. By the time the Salem Ferry passed us on our return trip, I had already stopped thinking about my gates. Stopped thinking about them, that is, until next time I rig the boat.

Name that Boat

Viking Rose
Viking Express
Slider
Stroker
The Pollution Solution

COACHING BOAT PURCHASED BY RnR

When we asked Emily Greten to become our rowing coach for the 2010 season, we knew it came with one caveat...her pregnancy. And while she is still willing and able to row (see June Newsletter to sign-up for lessons) and even give Flipping Clinics (1st one is June 27th 1:00PM at the "Y"), at some point of time we had to get her out of the shell and into something easier for her to coach from.
Enter our newest member of the RnR Fleet a 13 foot Boston Whaler. Paulie and I successfully completed the transaction last night. (Pictured here is the Captn' with prior owner Greg Worth)and it will soon be tied off our pier to be used by coach Em. We're looking for the perfect name, so if anyone out there has any idea what to call our "coach boat", feel free to communicate it too us in any way you want.

Rock and Row's Best Kept Secret

It's not me, but Emily Greten. And no it's not that she is pregnant either. It's her ability to coach. I had a 1 1/2 hour private lesson with her yesterday, and it's not getting any better than that. Learned a ton of stuff that I can practice and hopefully one day soon I will be able to row more efficient. I can then keep up with those who learn how to row in their youth when their bodies were limber and trainable (I wish). Of course in any sport or aspect of life somebody mean spirited person have come up with some kind of penalty if you are not able to do what is asked of you. In the military it's drop and do 20, and in rowing it's row in 1 foot chop with your oars square. And if you are anywhere close to do it, then you are told to close your eyes, Very frustrating, and something Emily handled with perfection. Maybe her lower center of gravity is keeping her boat more stable????

Looking forward to the next lesson, so look out you long timer rowers, the Viking might just catch you one day.

IS WEDNESDAY THE NEW SUNDAY??

Just a quick post to the gang. Very impressed by this morning's turnout. 1st there was Eileen and Sarah from the "Sunrise" gang. Followed up by Jon (I can't believe you guys make me get up this early) Viking, Chris and Terrie Leake, Jay Niles, Thomas Vogel and your's truly. It was a blessing to be out in the clear morning sky and gentle breezes from the west. The moral of the story is... Get out and Row (You never know who you'll meet out there)-capt'n

RAINY DAY CLEAN-UP

Last Sunday's off and on (on and off?) morning rain did little to dampen the spirits of those RnR Rockers who came to help out in the 2nd Annual Beach Clean-Up Day. From left to right is:
Terrie (Event Organizer), Stephannie, Stan made famous by his recent Atlantic Dip (See June Newsletter) Captn', Steph (soon to be member of RnR), Chris, Thomas, Sarah, Shelia and of course our wonderful doggies... Missing is Eileen and a few other local who came down to help after reading our article in the Reporter. (Yes, the shameless plug division of RnR is in full swing)

Open Water Rowing Training Begins Sat. Jun 5 6:30 am

Who's in for open water rowing training with Coach Brian Chorney? This is a great opportunity to row with an experienced coach (Head Coach at Endicott College; U.S. Rowing Level 2 Certified). Beginning tomorrow morning, Sat. June 5 and for 8 weeks (except July 17 when more of us will be doing the Blackburn Challenge). $150 (breaks down to $18.75/class!) -- this is a great way to train for fitness or for the Blackburn Challenge with an experienced coach. Brian will lead us on training rows, critique rowing technique via video replay and give you a work-out plan leading up to the Blackburn Challenge race day and more.

Be at the Little Harbor Boathouse ready to row at 6:30 a.m. (10 minutes early please for new registrations). Parking at 40 Doaks Lane, Little Harbor Office Building.

---

Maryellen Auger

Get Strong. Be Well. Have Fun

Echo Rowing Shells | International Marketing and Sales Director

Rowing For All LLC | Little Harbor Boathouse

40 Doaks Lane | Little Harbor | Marblehead MA | 01945

781-990-3552 | rowingforall.com | info@rowingforall.com

CAPTN' NOT HAPPN'

This is the 3rd day in a row that I have woken up to find my beloved bay incased by a blanket of fog. It'sapprox 6:00AM and as I write this Coney Island shows like a ghost shadow outline. My guess it's about a quartermile visibility. I was supposed to row with the Viking yesterday and Carlton today. I just hope this is not the weather pattern that we can expect long term. Wait, Wait I think it's clearing! I can now see the Green Can and the Red Nun in the center of the channel. Got to go.....