Monday, May 31, 2010

Row, Row, Row Your Boat

gently across the Hudson River!Early this morning, Mike and Squidette rode to the Village Community boathouse on Pier 40 to take a day long coxswain certification course. They have both been involved with the Stuyvesant H.S. rowing club -- Mike as a faculty adviser and Squidette as a novice club member. Today was the day that they got certified to Cox a boat on their own. That means that both of them can essential captain one of these craft.

These craft are 25" Whitehall Skiffs which are crewed by 4 rowers and a coxswain. They are, according to Mike, capable of going about 3 knots. No, I really do not understand what I just typed but know it has something to do with speed.

Not-So-Little (aka Preteen) Squid and I went out on a public row while Mike and Squidette split their time between the water and the classroom as they earned their certifications.

It was a lot of fun and I learned the following:

  • Even the best sunblock, properly applied, cannot combat 3 hours on the water at midday.
  • I have no padding on my sitbones.
  • My biking callouses are mostly sufficient for rowing -- I only have one blister on my right hand and none on my left.
  • The Hudson River really is salty!
None of us are seriously sunburned -- just some light redness, so no real worries there.

We all had fun and are all now pretty tired. I fully expect Preteen Squid to fall asleep as soon as his head hits the pillow despite his being rather perky right now.

This may turn into a weekly activity once school ends.

4 comments:

Mary said...

What fun! I just bookmarked the site as a "something to do this summer."

Anonymous said...

Sounds like great fun and good exercise!

Kristen said...

How cool. I don't usually think of boating and water sports when I think NYC! At least the Hudson is clean compared to the catastrophe in the Gulf. :-(

penny said...

awesome! i wish mike & squidette much luck and enjoyment! open water + sun = burnt .. glad you aren't too crispy.