THE CAPTN' ROWS ALONE

My e-mail for a 6:00 AM wake-up row was not met with much enthusiasm. A couple of "wish I could but".......................( feel free to fill in what ever reason that works). Then the e-mail from Pal telling us the RnR gangplank has met with disaster. (hopefully fixed by the weekend but in the meantime is usable through a "jury/jerry rigged solution).
So rowing alone, I ventured out onto the bay with a mindful eye out for juvie "Great Whites", Lobsta boats and the Salem Ferry. I had a good row, but not great. I find that being on the water has much more richness to it, when I'm able to enjoy it with someone else. That my fellow rockers is the ethos of our club. Rowing for it own sake, while very enjoyable, lacks the fellowship, comraderie and spiritual connection that is shared among a group. The moral of this story is that the summer days are getting shorter, the shadows from the trees longer and the need to row greater. Get out and row you peaceful warriors

WE'RE BACK

We're all back, all in one piece and all smiles. Rock N Row's first adventure row was downright awesome, awe inspiring and (who remembers Friendly's Awful Awful) awful big and awful good! Only awful thing..... IT'S OVER!

With talk of withdrawal, separation anxiety and an addiction to getting up and rowing to a next destination, we return tired, a bit blistered and alive with the spirit of Rock N Row.

Qualification for next year's row? Row 12 miles, eat a peanut butter, jelly and potato chip sandwich, down a cold beer and a shot of tequila, walk around with a big ass smile.!!

Lots more stories to tell and photos to share......

AWESOME SUNDAY ROW

Big winds from the west and major bay chop did little to deter this past Sunday Row. Seth B, Veronica and Art were first on the water followed by Stan, Shelia, Eileen, Pal, Thomas, Jon (the viking),Chas, Sarah, Scott O, Loretta and yours truly, the captn' for the 8:00 time slot (am I missing anyone?). Eileen,Charlie and Thomas paired up with our "sophmore rowers", while Pal, Sarah, Jon and myself tooked the back side of the neck where small lees from the westerly winds could be found. Evidentually the viking and I went on to conquer the Tinker Island Loop. The downwind leg around the south end of the island was the stuff of legends. Jon and I had our hands full finessing the sculls through the downwind rolling chop that crashed over both bow and stern. The slog to our basin was equally challenging with no ability to rest along the way. An honest 6miles. With smiles on our faces, we both agreed that it was the best row of the season thus far......
Thanks to Chas the Czar of the Sunday row who provided some great vodka, mango drinks and bagels. I hear next Sunday Stan and Shelia will host the event. Can't wait.....-captn'

ADVENTURE ROW

TODAY IS THE DAY FOR TOMORROW MAY NEVER COME

As first light rises I hear the beat of the tom tom calling me

THE SMOKE OF THE FIRES STILL GLOWING

and its time to begin

THE MIGRATION TO THE NORTH

tribes gather anxiously in celebration

FOR WHAT WILL MOST CERTAINLY BE WAITING

a clash with destiny

THE GREAT LAKE OH YE CHAMPLAIN

and the river Richelieu

WAITING PEACEFULLY DOES SHE SUSPECT

the horde marching north to conquer her?

AFTER 18 months of planning the time is now.

Rock N Row's first adventure row begins.

To my fellow warriors, may we Rock, may we Row.....

indivisible, under God, one club forever!

BLACKBURN ROWERS AND SUPPORT TEAM

Granted we did not all row, but seven members of the club did.

Jay Paris and Dave Greten who rowed an Alden Double in the racing class and made it under 3 hours even beating out a Maas Double. Thomas Vogel, Seth Pappas, Charlie Harak and Maryellen Auger all rowing touring class with ME coming in 3rd in the women's division. Stephanie Brocoum WINNING the women's race division. Pictured to your left is the cast and crew (minus ME). Can you identify who rowed and who didn't? Meanwhile for more great pictures of this event. Please click on the "2010 BLACKBURN CHALLENGE" under the website links left side of this page...

THE GOD CONNECTION

When in the course of human events...inspiration appears, I will listen, and do as directed.

(As taught by the High Priestest of RnR)

That about sums it up, from a magazine ad for ECHO, to a chance meeting with Jack on the water, to Terrie entering into my life with a splash and Jay rowing up on the beach; Rock N Row is an inspired manifestation.

Each of us has our own stories of how the connections were made, ask Thomas.

And a club was born.

Seven hearty souls pay tribute to Howard Blackburn this Saturday.

Come be part of the team, we'll be on the beach in Gloucester awaiting first finishers (expect Jay and Dave in the double, provided they have a bailer that works!) around11AM, look for us, we'll be easy to find!

Rock N Row Rocks the Blackburn!!

PERSONAL BLACKBURN REFLECTIONS

Seven members of the club have trained physically, emotionally and spiritual over these passed weeks and months to challenge the Blackburn this weekend, a 20+ mile (mostly open water) race around Gloucester's Cape Ann. Their pent up energy and anxiety that faces each one of them during the last week countdown is not lost on those who have rowed the race before.

The Blackburn Challenge is an integral part of our young club's history which I was reminded of yesterday during my oncologist check up. Knowing I was going to face surgery for my prostate cancer, I made a personal decision to row this event. I still remember calling Paulie the night before my operation who though thought the idea crazy at first, quickly changed his mind and agreed it was a worthy goal for both of us.

I was a zealot to the cause. My Doctor could not believe how quickly I was recovering. I was his "poster child" for the De Vinci Robot (a innovative surgery process at the time).

Paul and I rowed almost everyother day that summer in preparation. Probably logged over 250 miles before the event. We received henna tattoos on our forearms ; mine was a turtle, Paul's was crossbones with the word blackburn (future vision of our club logo?). They would flexed and stretch with each rowing stroke. Kathie, Paul's wife acting as our spiritual leader guided us in a ceremony of blessings and good fortune. I still remember the morning of the event. Over 200 boats from all over the country were there ready to make this happen. The energy surrounding us was electric. Conversation about a rowing club though distance began to germinate as an idea in our minds. This stuff is so cool. Why are there not more people rowing in Marblehead?

That was over five years ago. My Doctor told me that yesterday. How you feeling Jack? Are you still planning to row the Blackburn this year? He still remembered what it meant to my recovery.

The only answer I could give him is yes. In spirit, I'm still there with all the pent up energy being felt by our seven members.

Good Luck Peaceful Warriors. May the winds be gentle, the ocean sparkle and your spirits high!