#rowersofmastodon

Slow start this morning but beautiful conditions for an outing. Due to the later than planned start we made it a trip and a half rather than two. Warm up, two regatta pieces, counts to Kingsgate then counting strokes before a piece on the regatta course. Decent but we are missing power in the higher rates, room for work. #rowing #rowersofmastodon

Another Friday #sculling on the Wear. Sadly more lurgy in the quad so dropped into a single. Warmer but pretty wet, a better way to spend the morning than work. The swans seem to have moved downstream and have a new nest site. It's still less than a meter above the current water level though. Off to the doctor to get my annual inspection then work where our owner is onsite. Must remember to keep my tongue firmly between my teeth. #rowing #rowersofmastodon

Unfortunately we had a last minute cancellation of the head this morning due to rising water levels. A nightmare decision but it's a hard call, a decent flow can trap inexperienced rowers against the pier at Elvet bridge and getting a four or four plus cox out of a boat there is something that is hard without the flow. We swapped out for our regular training session stepping the distance up. Next race Derwentwater head. #rowing #rowersofmastodon #garmin #beatyesterday

No otters this morning but a beautiful dry, still day for a final rehearsal for tomorrow. Warmup then heads piece back to the club, cool down and paddle in. Very busy with colleges fitting in a bit of pre-race practice. I hope to see none of them on the safety launch tomorrow. #sculling #rowing #rowersofmastodon #garmin #beatyesterday

Saturday back #sculling on the Wear. Strong flow and rising levels but we got out, warm up, exercises back up and down then a steady head piece then a half trip to cool down. We were the only boat risking Elvet which was just clear enough to get through with blades tucked in going downstream. The stream was really challenging, making steering and even feeling the rhythm hard with the blades on one side of the boat almost snatched from our hands while the other side needed work. Next week should be Durham head although looking at the forecast I'm not sure it will be happening. At the moment we can get two boats into the water at a time. Running an event with 70-100 boats just wouldn't work. #rowing #rowersofmastodon #garmin #beatyesterday

Friday and we are back on the river although we kept upstream of Elvet which was partially blocked. A good call in the dark. Hopefully back out on the river again tomorrow morning. #rowing #rowersofmastodon #garmin #beatyesterday