Connie explains why she rows

November 2004

Connie wrote this article to the Virginia Pilot. It didn't get published, so we've added it here because it deserves to be published somewhere.

Connie writes:

I'm hooked. No doubt about it. There aren't many things that will entice me into getting up before dawn on a Saturday morning, especially if it involves physical activity, but here I am . You see, I am not what most would consider an athlete....not even close. But there is something about being part of a team who loves the water as much as I do, gliding on the Intercoastal Waterway when it is a glass reflection of the sky, in a 60 foot boat not much wider than my "derriere", in a syncronized (we hope!) effort to have 8 people row together to push us down the canal. We are a diverse group of mostly middle-aged adults who truly love this sport. (Our regatta classification is Mixed Masters, and I prefer the sound of that much more than "middle-aged co-eds".)

This is the sport of crew, or rowing. Just like in "Row, row, row your boat". Sort of. We have a coxswain who sits in front of us & yells at us, well....giving us the commands to guide us, since we are facing backwards to the direction of our row. He is in charge. We like that. We are free to concentrate on our technique, and to feel the boat whoosh under us as we pick up speed. It is sort of a game of follow-the-leader as well, since we all try (I said TRY!) to stay in sync with our stroke, which is the first person in line.

I got hooked on crew by seeing my children take to this sport in high school. Most high schools in our area now have clubs & it is quickly building into a school sponsored sport. The activity itself is great, and provides wonderful conditioning, but what impressed me most was the discipline. My kids were ones who loved to sleep in & once I saw them get hooked, all of a sudden they were awake pre-dawn & out the door 5 mornings a week for practice. Amazing. I knew there must be something to this. It also kept them safe on weekends. When many kids were out partying or cruising, my kids were getting to bed early for the next mornings regatta. I didn't need to say a thing. They were a part of a team & they didn't want to let the team down. It built character & responsibility.

I found the Juniper Rowing Club in Great Bridge & figured I'd give it a try. A quick lesson & I was out on the water feeling giddy at the thought I was actually doing this! It was beautiful. Two nights a week are sunset rows & the vibrant colored sky alone or a rising moon over the water was enough incentive to keep me going back for more. I can't say I caught on quickly. I struggled. A lot. But, my teammates were extremely patient & encouraging. I hung with it. It paid off. I used to say I rowed because it felt so good when I stopped. Something changed along the way & now I say I love to row. Period. It feels good. I feel powerful. I feel strong. And most of the time I feel sad when it's over. ( I said MOST of the time!) One night a week we meet for good food, drink, & conversation across the street after rowing.....maybe I'm not so sad to stop on the those nights! We have a good time.

Our final regatta was on Halloween, at the Lafayette River in Norfolk. It was a gorgeous day & our team of 8 took second place. We also had a men's double which my son entered with a buddy & they took first. It was exciting to see all the work of the past year pay off. We have put our boats away for the winter now & I already feel the anticipation of next spring, when we will hit the water once again. I was once in awe of this sport from afar, never thinking I could manage it myself. I am glad I tried. Yeah, "I'm definitely hooked."

Juniper
Rowing
Club

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