Concept2 Forum

OK, I've caught the bug, and intend to try rowing OTW this spring, likely through a "Learn to Row" program put on by the Greater Columbus Rowing Association ... if I can get registered before everything's booked solid this year (as it was last year). Assuming this goes well, I'd like to ask a question ...<br /><br />What type of shell would be the best option for a new OTW rower?<br /><br />I've had people tell me training shells, for more stability. Others says no, get a regular racing shell. I can likely get my hands on a reasonably good condition Hudson single (mid-weight?). Not even sure it would work for a 165 lb. guy.<br /><br />In any event, I'd very much appreciate any suggestions you might have.<br /><br />Additionally, for training while alone, on fairly calm water, what are the safety precautions one should take (or is there a website to access that gives some guidelines)? Or, is this an absolute no-no?

Mark:<br /><br />I think that is better to start with a training shell at least the first 5 to 10 times until you feel confident enough with the boat stability (and to give time to the summer to arrive ), after that ,try a racing shell.<br /><br />Training while alone.....no-no <br /><br />Regards

<!--quoteo(post=55788:date=Feb 13 2006, 05:24 PM:name=Polaco)--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Polaco @ Feb 13 2006, 05:24 PM) </b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><br />Training while alone.....no-no <br /><br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Training alone is fine *if* you are confident in your ability to climb back into your boat from the water.<br /><br />Safety precautions: Stay out of buoyed channels. Wear a brightly colored shirt. Bonus points for whistle on a lanyard.

Get very comfortable through learning in an organized program for both sweep and sculling, then progress through using the clubs training, intermediate, and finally racing shells before getting a personal boat. All those stages will allow you time to build up your own familiarity with the equipement you will need and make for a better decision making process. If you do decide on a racing shell eventually, I'm expanding my business into that area and would be happy to help you get a boat that fits your needs.<br /><br />Training alone is fine, just observe the rules of the waterway you are on, avoid all the risks possible and plan for what to do in the event of an accident. There are PFD's designed for rowers, and a whistle is a no-brainer (perfect for rowers). This is a sport that invloves water and you can drown. Always be aware of the risk and prepared to deal with the unexpected. It's very easy to get cruising along, just as in life, lose awareness of what is around you, and the next thing you know something bad is happening.<br /><br />I've never transitioned from rowing to swimming, I have come very close, but I am always aware that it could happen. The greatest concern on our lake is being run down by an inattentive Bass fisherman going 60+mph. I guess them bass are really fast fish! As well as boats where the driver is busy watching the person they are towing on any number of devices, instead of where they are going.

Mark, I agreed with all of this. Use the club boats and learn through the program. It will take awhile to get the ability to row a single and feel comfortable alone. They should, as part of the learn to row program, teach you how to get back in a shell. Stay with the trainer till you feel comfortable, you'll know intuitively when the time is right to move to a racing shell. Listen to the instruction, process it and ask questions aplenty. How was the skiing? dennis

<!--quoteo(post=55810:date=Feb 13 2006, 08:56 PM:name=dennish)--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(dennish @ Feb 13 2006, 08:56 PM) </b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>Mark, I agreed with all of this. Use the club boats and learn through the program. It will take awhile to get the ability to row a single and feel comfortable alone. They should, as part of the learn to row program, teach you how to get back in a shell. Stay with the trainer till you feel comfortable, you'll know intuitively when the time is right to move to a racing shell. Listen to the instruction, process it and ask questions aplenty. How was the skiing? dennis<br /> </td></tr></table><br />Thanks to all ... go slow is what I take from this, learn from those who are experienced, be safe, and make decisions on a personal shell maybe second or third season?<br /><br />Dennis, the snow was epic. Best ever ... and I've been doing this trip since 1993. Thanks for asking.<br /><br />The steeps in Sun Up and Teacup Bowls at Vail were awesome, as was the Outback at Keystone. Lots of bumps softened significantly by the foot or two of soft, dry powder. It was the first chance I got to ski my Pocket Rockets in any substantial powder, and they are worth every cent I paid for them. Perfect stiffness with tons of float. I'm thinking of breaking my daughter (almost 16) out of school for a few days after her Ohio Graduation Test in March, so she can finally ride at a real mountain. She's only skied out west; took up riding a few years ago and has only ridden here in Ohio, or upstate NY. She's really anxious to give a big mountain a shot now that she's a confident boarder. But, it would be a big sacrifice for me ...<br /><br />

<!--quoteo(post=55811:date=Feb 13 2006, 06:16 PM:name=mpukita)--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(mpukita @ Feb 13 2006, 06:16 PM) </b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'> She's only skied out west; took up riding a few years ago and has only ridden here in Ohio, or upstate NY. She's really anxious to give a big mountain a shot now that she's a confident boarder. But, it would be a big sacrifice for me ...<br /><br /> <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Mark,<br /><br />Are you implying that there are no big mountains in the west? Incredible!! When I walk out my front door, I am staring up at the Palisade Group of the Sierra Nevada, with its six peaks over 14,000 ft, only about 10 miles from where I stand on the valley floor at 4,000 ft. The group also has another seven peaks that are over 13500 ft. I am sure that Dennis would find this implication to be just as astounding as I have. He is surrounded by dozens of fourteen-thousanders.<br /><br />You won't find any lifts in the Palisades, but that doesn't stop the skiers. They hike in with their skies mounted on their backpacks.<br /><br />regards,<br /><br />Bob S.

<!--quoteo(post=55814:date=Feb 13 2006, 10:10 PM:name=rspenger)--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(rspenger @ Feb 13 2006, 10:10 PM) </b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--quoteo(post=55811:date=Feb 13 2006, 06:16 PM:name=mpukita)--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(mpukita @ Feb 13 2006, 06:16 PM) </b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'> She's only skied out west; took up riding a few years ago and has only ridden here in Ohio, or upstate NY. She's really anxious to give a big mountain a shot now that she's a confident boarder. But, it would be a big sacrifice for me ...<br /><br /> <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Mark,<br /><br />Are you implying that there are no big mountains in the west? Incredible!! When I walk out my front door, I am staring up at the Palisade Group of the Sierra Nevada, with its six peaks over 14,000 ft, only about 10 miles from where I stand on the valley floor at 4,000 ft. The group also has another seven peaks that are over 13500 ft. I am sure that Dennis would find this implication to be just as astounding as I have. He is surrounded by dozens of fourteen-thousanders.<br /><br />You won't find any lifts in the Palisades, but that doesn't stop the skiers. They hike in with their skies mounted on their backpacks.<br /><br />regards,<br /><br />Bob S.<br /> </td></tr></table><br />No Bob ... just that my daughter has only <b>skied </b> big mountains out there ... not snowboarded (what she and other snowboarders call "riding") the big mountains out there. She's only ridden (as in "riding" a snowboard) here back east ... Ohio (350 ft. vertical) or NY State (about 750 ft. vertical). Nothing close to what's out your way, or anywhere near Dennis. She really, really wants to snowboard (ride) on a BIG mountain ... that would be her current objective.

<!--quoteo(post=55815:date=Feb 13 2006, 07:17 PM:name=mpukita)--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(mpukita @ Feb 13 2006, 07:17 PM) </b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>No Bob ... just that my daughter has only <b>skied </b> big mountains out there ... not snowboarded (what she and other snowboarders call "riding") the big mountains out there. She's only ridden (as in "riding" a snowboard) here back east ... Ohio (350 ft. vertical) or NY State (about 750 ft. vertical). Nothing close to what's out your way, or anywhere near Dennis. She really, really wants to snowboard (ride) on a BIG mountain ... that would be her current objective.<br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Mark,<br /><br />I am glad that you clarified that. As the spouse of a horse owner and as an old fogie, out of touch with the language of the younger set - whatever the current teens and twenties are called, I was completely blindsided by this use of "ride."<br /><br />regards,<br /><br />Bob S.

<!--quoteo(post=55816:date=Feb 13 2006, 10:35 PM:name=rspenger)--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(rspenger @ Feb 13 2006, 10:35 PM) </b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--quoteo(post=55815:date=Feb 13 2006, 07:17 PM:name=mpukita)--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(mpukita @ Feb 13 2006, 07:17 PM) </b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>No Bob ... just that my daughter has only <b>skied </b> big mountains out there ... not snowboarded (what she and other snowboarders call "riding") the big mountains out there. She's only ridden (as in "riding" a snowboard) here back east ... Ohio (350 ft. vertical) or NY State (about 750 ft. vertical). Nothing close to what's out your way, or anywhere near Dennis. She really, really wants to snowboard (ride) on a BIG mountain ... that would be her current objective.<br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Mark,<br /><br />I am glad that you clarified that. As the spouse of a horse owner and as an old fogie, out of touch with the language of the younger set - whatever the current teens and twenties are called, I was completely blindsided by this use of "ride."<br /><br />regards,<br /><br />Bob S.<br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Bob:<br /><br />No worries, so was I until she beat it into my head that it's "riding, Daddy!", not "snowboarding, Daddy!"<br /><br />Have a good evening Bob!<br /><br />Regards ... Mark