Rough Water Friday

Rough water and light rain on the estuary this morning.  The conditions were great practice for San Diego.  Just windy and rough enough, but no white caps and nothing looking like this insane, infamous row2k picture.  Every time the water gets rough, I think of this photo and I know that I do not have it too bad.

We had our SDCC eight and the JLAC women’s SDCC eight out on the water this morning.  We warmed up to the 2,000m start line, which is just past the Coast Guard barricades.  The finish line is a vista point with two flag poles, about even with the JLAC boathouse.  We had a head wind on the way to the start line, which I was thankful for because that meant we would have a tailwind during our pieces.  We did 2x2,000m with an active rest in between, paddling the boat back to the start line.  

Both 2k pieces were at full pressure, with starts and 20 high and with a sprint at the end.  On the first piece, we settled to a 30spm without any problems.  For the second piece, Chris wanted the rate higher, and we settled to a 31spm.  I had trouble on both pieces trying to bring up the rate during the sprint.  What felt like a 34spm was only a 32spm.  What felt like quicker hands did not result in any rate changes.  Overall though, the boat did alright given the conditions.  Now, all we have to do is practice going the other direction with a headwind.

During rough water, I try to focus on a few things.  First, get the blade in the water.  When it is rough water, I stop worrying about if my catches are soft or hard.  I just want quick catches and no hesitation.  Get the blade in!  Second, stay in the water and pull in high.  The boat is the most stable (which especially important in rough water) during the drive when all the blades are in the water so you want to maximize it.  Pulling in high will ensure that your blade stays in the water until the end; it also gives you clearance to go down and away, especially important if you need to clear the waves.  Of course, pulling in as high as your ears is counterproductive.  Just check that you are actually pulling into your mark.  Many times, we think we are, but we are not.  Third, do not let your body collapse as you come into the catch.  In rough conditions, it is easy to lose your sense of center and to start leaning and allowing your body to slump.  This only makes it more difficult to set the boat and more easy to miss water at the catch.  

Thank goodness today is Friday because if the work week were any longer, I think I would shrivel up and die.