Rowing
This will be my second trip to the Scillies, but my first rowing in the men’s open crew. We’ve been training hard since the start of the new year, with two on-water rows a week plus land-based fitness in our own time. I’ve also been following a daily stretching programme using the Bend app, which has made a huge difference and helped me avoid any injuries so far.
It’s a great feeling being part of a crew building towards one big event. Over the last few weeks we’ve started to click as a unit, something that only really comes with time on the water. We’ve been making small individual adjustments to things like seat position, the lean and hands away — there are so many things to work on! On the water we’ve worked on switching up our stroke rates, as well as building fitness and endurance with longer pieces and distance pyramids. Pippa has kept us in line and motivated at all times, and we’re all excited to see what we can do when we get to the Scillies. Although I’m not sure about the matching sapphire blue headbands …
Coxing
Last year I rowed in the Women’s vets for the first time which was nerve-wracking and exhilarating in equal measure. It wasn’t until I watched the St Agnes 3.2k men’s open race from a good view point and that realised what an effort-full sport we do, and felt really good about the races we had just rowed. It’s far!
This is my first year coxing at the Scillies. Last year Nikki asked me if I’d like to cox the men’s open races, I felt way too nervous to do all of them so said I would like to cox one. Unfortunately, the race I was due to cox was cancelled as fog came down and it was deemed unsafe. I felt really disappointed.
This year I am more prepared to cox the men’s open races. I have race-coxed several races now; they were good experience. Nikki helped me a lot, by believing I could do it and telling me so. This year, knowing Nikki is busy with a new life, I put a shout out on the GigRower facebook page to ask if anyone was up for mentoring me through the process. I had a lot of questions. A couple of seasoned coxes responded which has been really helpful.
I have enjoyed training with the men’s crew so much. Even the early starts (6:30 one Friday morning) when it’s quiet and the sun is just coming up. And I am extremely nervous. When I coxed Swanage, my legs were shaking so much I could barely stay on the cox’s seat. I want to do the best job I can for the crew. You know what, coxing has been one of the best things I’ve learned to do. I have had to push myself; to get used to stronger winds, bigger waves, coxing in the dark. Also what do you say to motivate the crew? The main thing is that the only way to gain experience is to do it, and no matter how nervous I am, I’m committed now.
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