Nov 30 2009
Even though ergs don’t float, they are, nevertheless, a key component of Winter training for many rowers. You have to have a loose flywheel to erg all Winter in loo of on the water rowing training in the first place, but these East Londoners trying to break the World Record in keeping a Concept2 flywheel in motion for 42+ days are simply certifiable.
Nov 28 2009
We took ‘Chessie’, my row boat, out on the Occoquan Reservoir early this morning to do some fishing. It was 44 degrees in the sun, and the wind was gusting up to 20 mph. I got a bit of a workout rowing my Dad and son around the river, even though we did not catch anything. My son says I am bad luck when it comes to fishing. I keep trying to prove him wrong, but to no avail. Rowing back to the put-in point was difficult as I had to row into the wind. Chessie does not steer well into a strong head wind.
When we got home, my Dad and I pushed the boat and trailer into the back yard and carried Chessie into the ‘ole boat shed where she’ll rest for the remainder of the Winter. Chessie seems to be getting heavier – either that or I’m getting weaker (or my carrying partner(s) are getting weaker) 
. My plan is to work on building-in a sliding seat rowing position this Winter using parts donated by West Potomac High School Rowing. I’ll need to procure a pair of Concept2 oarlocks and sculls, which I’ll hopefully get to test out next Spring. I also need to work on ways to increase boat flotation and test her row-ability when completely swamped. I’m looking forward to this Spring!
Nov 27 2009
I have not cleaned out my shed since my last feverish flurry to get my boat ready for my first Chesapeake Bay Row attempt. The inside of my boat shed has been caked in inches of wood and fiberglass dust since then. Today, I finally decided to clean it up a bit. I donned my ventilator mask and goggles and set about blowing the dust outside. From without, it looked like someone set off a smoke bomb inside. In addition to the dust, half filled cans of paint, containers of epoxy and resin, pieces of White Oak, Okoume and Cedar littered the floor – all contributing to fond memories of this summer, which continue to feed my desire to get out there on the open water in my wooden row boat again. After awhile, the inside of the shed starts to look somewhat clean again. I feel like it’s about time to dust off those old Chesapeake Bay row plans and begin anew for next year’s attempt.
Nov 25 2009
Last night, my parents and I went to hear Colin and Julie Angus speak at a National Geographic Live sponsored event. Colin and Julie talked about their adventures riding their bikes and rowing their custom designed (and built) row boats from the top ‘o Scotland all the way down to Syria. When they were unable to row, they rode their bikes, towing their boats behind them on custom made boat trailers. When they rowed, they disassembled their bikes, stowed them in their boats, and went rowing. It looked like an amazing way to travel through Europe (which included the UK, France, Germany, Bulgaria, Turkey, etc.) and to see the country-side. Their trip took them about 7 months to complete.
They had one of their boats on stage and I got to take a pretty close look at her after their talk was over. It looked like a stitch-and-glue ply construction with a single sliding seat rowing position built-in (the rowing position was conspicuously closer to the stern than the bow). The bow section was used for stowing their bikes and other gear, so I’m sure getting the weight distribution correct was not easy to figure out. The boat has a wing rigger, which seemed to be constructed of wood. I wish I could have taken a picture of it, but Nat Geo Live!, sadly, do not allow pictures. WHAT IS UP WITH THAT!!!!
All-in-all, I came away from this talk excited about future adventure rowing possibilities. I think this winter I will build-in a sliding seat rowing position in my dory for my next attempt to row across the Chesapeake Bay – an adventure that seems like child’s play comparatively speaking, so I need to get ‘er done.
Here’s a video lifted from AngusAdventures.com:
