First Time Single

I was on my own for the trip to CYC on Saturday. Kathleen hadn't recovered from her chlorinated water overexposure last Monday. With only three newbies, we went out in a quad where I took the stroke seat, then Rick, then Tony, and June, the experienced rower, in the bow seat. Wind made the main channel rather choppy and we turned up the channel for the first time. We went with a really slow stroke rate - concentrating on rolling oars into the catch position early, keeping shoulders relaxed, and doing the "chicken wings" with our arms at the finish. The last was news to me. I've been keeping my elbows down as much as I could.

Today, Kathleen wasn't better. I rigged the shell as a single and went out by myself for the first time. I did much better than I thought I would. Accusations of wobbliness by my partners had me a little worried. It actually seemed easier to stay upright and stable in the single than the double - maybe that's my imagination. Other differences - the boat was easier to start, since it was short a person, easier to turn, since the single seat is more centered, but a lot harder to keep going, since there was no additional help. Everything else regarding technique mistakes was exacerbated.

I just went back and forth from our home cove along one shore. I didn't want to go far from docks in case I did flip out of the boat. Because it was harder rowing, the shorter stretches worked just fine. And it was a real blast. Now, I know the meaning of "no man's land" for oar handles. If the oar handle gets past my chest, the shell tips real fast! Fortunately, I was barely moving and stayed dry. I wish I'd made notes after finishing because I can't remember all the particulars that were jumping out at me on my own compared to having two or four in the shell. I'll have to elaborate further after my next solo outing. Hopefully, Kathleen won't be missing many outings so it may be awhile.

I'm thinking this may be our best opportunity to get visual feedback on our rowing: one of us in a kayak, with a video camera, and the other in the re-rigged single. We can borrow a kayak - just need to buy the Flip Video! One can row themselves tuckered going back and forth past the kayak, then switch crafts.