Sunday Morning Row

Thanks to Paul and John I had a wonderful season opening and was able to log in my first row last Sunday, May 3rd. It just felt wonderful being back on the water after so many months on the "dry dock". Thanks to the Wednesday work-outs with Alison Maldonis, I was able to keep up with Paul in his fast Maas. We rowed to Beverly Cove, then to Salem Harbor and back to the boat house, approx. 6 miles. I am posting a few pictures so that everyone can get a taste of many more Sunday rows to come.

A word to the wise

Finally got around to doing something I should have done at the beginning of last year: buy a waterproof case for my cellphone. Hadn't thought much about it, but kept the phone reasonably secure in another case inside a nylon bag. And that might have worked, except of course I had to take it out to talk. Which I did, floating at the mouth of the harbor after a wonderful row until --SPLOOSH! -- a power boat went by, kicking up a wake that splashed the boat, me, and my beloved iPhone. Learned the hard way that Apple does not honor warranties if your phone gets wet -- and there's a little built-in moisture reader that will tell them so. (The phones apparently can even be sensitive to fog. ) The upside was I had an excuse to upgrade to the new 3G.

So I've just bought a Kwik Tek Dry Pak cellphone bag through Amazon. You might want to check them out. They're cheap ($14), and people claim they can even talk through the bag without opening them. (Not sure how the Apple touchscreen will work.) You can also get Dry Paks in other sizes --smaller, for credit cards and cash -- or bigger, to accommodate, oh, an Amazon Kindle, for when you want to read in the middle of the harbor. You can also get them with lanyards or belt clips. One caveat: in some conditions, you might get condensation inside the cases; some people apparently add little silica gel thingies to avoid that.

All that aside, I'm an advocate for handheld VHF radios on the water and always bring one with me. But then, I have room for all sorts of stuff in my Heritage.

RnR crew meets and greets MHD Coastguard Aux

Many thanks goes out to RnR member Henry Livingston in helping to host last nights come together between the membership of RnR and the Marblehead Coastguard Auxillary at the BYC. The auxilary could not have been more gracious in their hospitality, making all of us who attended feel very welcome. Additionally, I found the presentation on boat equipment and cold water survival to be both extremely informative and insightful. Living on the shores of New England sometimes jades us to the risk we take playing on the water. I for one will no longer take it lightly. Although we had some last minute cancellations, I do want to thank the following members for taking the time to join us in this event. They are: Scott Olson, Charlie Harak, Terrie Leake, Chris Leake, Paul Mazonson, Carlton Sparrell, Elaine Denune, Stephanie Brocoum, Dee Johnson, Scott Smith, Jean Verbridge, Thomas Vogel and Jan Machnik. It was a great turn out for our 1st event and I think they were so impressed by what we have going on that we pick up a couple of more members from their group!!

Breakfast at The Driftwood

Yesterday morning Kathie and I made our usual post row meander to The Driftwood for corned beef hash and poached eggs after a terrific row with Thomas and John. Sitting next to us was a young couple who struck up a conversation. Seems like we've been having lots of chance meetings like this lately out and about town.
As I ordered, Kathie says, "Go ahead, you rowed this morning."
Our new friend at the next table looked up and said, "Did you say rowed this morning, do you know about this rowing club here in Marblehead?"
To which I responded smartly, "Yes I do, in fact I'm a co founder."
"Oh, I thought I recognized you, you're the Rock n Row guys. You know, I rowed after college but since I moved to Marblehead I haven't rowed at all. I've been on your site, following you in the newspapers, I'd love to row again. "
I invited her to call and check out our boats, come to Opening Day and Learn to Row Day. Viral marketing at its best.
As my dear friend Jay once said, "BEST CLUB EVER!"

SATURDAY MORNING ROW

Not by best work but ended up doing a small 3.5miler off Anchorage Lane. Wind from the North at around 6-8 provided a nice chop building from the fetch out of Beverly Harbor. Stayed along the shore of Naugus head, shot across Salem harbor to Winter Island. Took a left down by the lighthouse off the harbor to the #7can off Beverly Harbor. Rounded the can and enjoyed a 1.5 down wind, down wave ride back to home. It's amazing how little by body muscle remembers.

FOUND ON LINE AT "WICKED LOCAL MARBLEHEAD" ON 4/13/09

Marblehead - The Marblehead Recreation Department and the Marblehead Rowing Club (a.k.a. Rock ’n’ Row) will team up to clean Riverhead and Devereux beaches on Sunday, May 31, 9 a.m.-noon. Residents, school groups, community groups, Scouts and neighborhood groups are all invited to join in this cleanup effort.
The event will take place rain or shine, and all materials will be provided for a safe and effective clean up leading into this summer’s beach festivities. Past beach cleanups have been held in the fall, but Recreation Director Mike Lane said the timing of this event couldn’t be better.
“Jack Tatleman from the Marblehead Rowing Club called me to ask about their support and sponsorship of such an event, and I was thrilled that he did,” Lane said. “The Marblehead Rowing Club has been around for a few years, and everything they have been involved with has been very successful.”
Watch for additional information in the Marblehead Reporter in the weeks ahead.
For more information on the cleanup or ways to contact the Marblehead Rowing Club, contact Lane at the Recreation Department office, 781-631-3350.

I'm Blogging Baby

Hi there Rock n Row fans!
A friend once said, "When you have an audience, use it well."
So...what to say on this occasion, my very first ever, never before, blog entry...
A few admissions:
1) I love Capt Jack Sparrow!
2) I love Rock N Row and all the dear friends we've made!
3) I'm incredibly excited about the rowing season!
And a question:
What is it about rowing that brings out wonderfulness in people?