CLASSIC

Classic row this morning with Bob VanTwyver and Princess Stephanie. Bob  coaches at Florida Rowing Center, here to visit Rock n Row and get a taste of open water rowing. He’s been coaching 20 years, works with Gordon Hamiton. Thursday evening’s chop outside Brown’s whet an appetite for more and today he experienced the real deal. Didn’t get that flat water morning I was expecting, blowing a warm 10-12 from SW the plan was to go outside Children’s then to Misery. Ride to Children’s was bumpy and wet, Bob pulling hard to crest the swells, Steph questioning the wisdom of going outside. 

She rows a Maas 24, a wonderful open water boat that requires real skill in rough water, she rows it better than anyone I’ve ever seen. Decided to take a shortcut underneath rock lying off the island, narrow gut with rocky ledge at low water, which of course it was, I look for the opening with the least breaking wave and head through nice and smooth no touches, phew. 

Bob said afterwards “gave me the willies coming through there”. 

Steph was looking for some distance to loosen up so we headed for Misery about 3 miles on a following sea, surfing and playing, broaching a bit  occasionally but making good time. Managed to miss Brimbles thankfully although Bob came up on it pretty close, scared him a bit to hear crashing waves nearby. 

A sweet wet athletic ride. Nice.

After an interlude on the beach at Misery, chitty chat, stretch, pee, headed back at 240deg into headwind, chop and tidal mixing, boy was I happy to be rowing the Aero, nothing like a little stability when the chop is coming from three different directions. 

Great row, 7.9 miles, beautiful day, awesome workout, NO THINKING.