Today I rowed a triple with JB and Amy, in prep for the Head of the Troll next weekend. I asked these two scullers to row with me as I was looking for people willing to row with a novice. JB and Amy, they are too polite to say no.

I row sweep (i.e. one oar per rower). I am a port. It’s how I learned and it’s what I’m comfortable with. I’ve been meaning to do more sculling (two oars per rower), and I figured entering a race (even if it is low-key and unofficial like the Troll) is the best way to go. Like when you want to get into running again you enter a 5K as motivation. I want to get into sculling more so I enter a race. I hope I don’t regret it.

Anyway. I struggled some. First I was using tulips (oars), which has less surface area than the hatchets, thus had a harder time applying as much pressure to the blades as the other 2 did (this quick analysis from JB). Second, well, I’m a novice. I know it’s hard to row with novices, as I’ve been there and have been frustrated as all heck. It’s very humbling knowing you are the worst rower in the boat. So I appreciate these cool cats taking the time to row with me.

Speaking of heck … I don’t swear a lot. It annoys the husband that I don’t swear. I prefer to say stuff like “dang!” and “goshdarnit” or “geez louise” or my favorite “frikkin” and “f-ing”. So imagine my surprise when, in the boat today, I kept cursing aloud. Haven’t done that in a looog time. The occasional “shit” and “fuck” came flying out of my mouth. I’m sort of shocked that I just wrote those words out just now. Feeling a little awkward, here.

I’ll let you know how the race goes. This weekend is Row for the Cure. Currently there are 11 boats signed up in my category, the Women’s Masters 8+. Can provide details on that exciting race later, too.