Double Fun

In the past, RocknRow has frequently meant rowing with club members in single shells and sharing the individual experience on and off the water. For the last two weeks, coach Emily and I have tried adding another dimension to RnR – exploring the beauty of the Maas Double. Having rowed in eights, quads and doubles competitively several years ago (in my case – decades ago) we gave the Club Double a try.

During our first test row two weeks ago, Emily and I liked the experience. Even though rowing the double requires more concentration and synchronization than rowing a single, and more than just two rowers “powering up”, we had hit the “zone” several times during the 10+ mile row to Misery and House. Hitting the “zone” meant sharing the perfect stroke together from catch to finish, letting the boat glide through the water in a continuous motion and hearing the “bubbles” from underneath the hull. It also meant spending 80-90% of the whole row just trying to find that perfect stroke. Realizing how rarely we were able to hit it, the whole double experience wetted our appetite to go out again and keep trying.

The following Sunday, and Tuesday, we went out again and experienced some slight improvements thanks to the beautiful waters and low winds off the Beverly and Manchester coast. Our confidence had grown and we wanted to give “a longer row”. Having read about the recent “Big Rows“ and “Eggs on the Rock” on the RnR blog, we got inspired and decided to go out again last Wednesday and try the annual Egg Rock. The weather report predicted a few clouds mixed with sun and a NNW wind of 10-15kt, and possible thunderstorm in the afternoon.

Leaving Little Harbor at 8:45a we headed towards MHD Rock and Tinkers. Emily seemed equally excited and started with a good pace. A slight tail wind and the protection of MHD Neck helped us focus on a long stroke, a solid catch paired with a strong finish and quick release. Everything combined allowed us move the Double at a decent pace of 7:30min to 8:30min/mile. I was not confident that I could maintain the pace for the whole distance but kept pushing while the fun lasted. We definitely felt the “zone” a couple of times during the first half hour. Then, as soon as we passed Ram Island the wind picked up and the water became rough. The situation worsened even more as soon as we moved closer towards Egg Rock without any protection from land.

The Maas Double became more difficult to stabilize and we realized that focusing on the zone was not even an option anymore. We had to pay our fullest attention to getting our blades out of the water, not crabbing, and not taking a plunge. By the time we reached Egg Rock we found a few minutes in a protected area, where the wind and waves could not do us any harm. Fueled with water and energy bars we continued and rounded Egg Rock towards the wind and headed back to Marblehead. Rowing against the powerful elements of nature Emily noted: “I now know what my newbies must feel like”. The whitecaps spilled into the boat and forced us to open the bailer frequently, and made us feel like beginners learning how to row. With shortened strokes and soaked clothes, we eventually reached Tinkers after mile 12, when all of the sudden the wind and waves died down and turned into a rather flat and calm see. We saw this as a chance to focus again on stroke, length and zone. After almost two hours, the double started moving along again, as we had experienced at the beginning of that morning.

We passed MHD Rock when Emily asked if we could extend our row beyond the 15 miles to check our limits, instead of returning straight into Little Harbor. I agreed and we rowed to Beverly Lighthouse and back to MHD Rock to complete an honest 21 miles.

After 3hours and 8 minutes of net rowing time we arrived back at the dock. We felt our tired muscles but agreed that it was an excellent rowing experience with shared memories. Our “Egg Rock” row turned into a test that confirmed in us the desire to give Blackburn Challenge a chance.