To accompany the lighter physical work in the mornings, in the afternoon, we attacked our second round of fitness testing, including the mile run, a “Wendy” circuit, a 30-minute erg test, and the infamous 2k-erg test. All in all, Blue passed with flying colors—with some of the strongest results in the history of this team (need to check my facts, but I’m pretty sure). 17 out of 34 rowers had a PR (personal record) on their 2000m tests, which is HUGE! Way to go Blue! And those numbers are just going to keep on dropping…
A strong round of testing is the best way to leave for spring break: it’s closure. We can say, “Wow, look at what we accomplished indoors this winter!” But, now it’s time to take all the speed and power with us onto the water, and that’s why spring break is so exciting: it’s our first real trial. Sure we can be fast on the erg, but how about on the water? Well don’t worry, from what we’ve seen so far, Blue hasn’t forgotten how to row.
The eight-hour bus ride down to Maryland flew by, with the help of some great movies, of course. When we arrived late Thursday afternoon, we unloaded the trailer, rigged our boats, and set up camp. A beautiful sunset welcomed us to the Chester River (home to Washington College’s facilities—this is also the team we will scrimmage next Thursday). A note about the Chester River, the only thing it has in common with the Charles is the letter C. I’m not kidding: the Chester is so wide across, definitely wider than the Basin (the widest point of the Charles), there’s also only one bridge, no sharp turns, oh, and NO other boats (a coxswain’s heaven, I would imagine).
After set-up at the river, we headed back to the hotel and ate at a nearby restaurant, Broccolini’s. We feared this meant a dinner of only broccoli, but to our delight we had salad and lots of pizza. We turned in for an early night, since most of us were falling asleep at dinner already. We are probably the quietest after-hours group a hotel has ever seen: we may have dance parties and sing-a-longs, but they’re usually over by 8pm.
Friday was our first full day on the water: we went out in four eights (what a sleek fleet of boats!). The new Resolute went out on its inaugural row, and let me tell you, the seat rolls up and down the slide as smooth as skates on ice. The weather was warm mid 50s and sunny. Our morning row usually runs from 7-11am then we have a 3-hour break for lunch, naps, and homework, followed by an afternoon row from 2-5pm. Just in case, parents are reading, I will put you at ease: lots of homework is getting done! In fact right now, I’m writing this during our lunch break, and the breakfast room of the hotel is filled with about ten of us intently doing work.
Today’s row was a bit rougher than yesterday’s—actually it was some of the roughest waters I’ve ever rowed in, as my coxswain Aidan said today, we were literally rowing in the open ocean, but don’t panic: whitecaps, 20mph winds, and 3-foot waves don’t get us down. In the novice boats, we got in 4, 12 minute pieces, and as Austin told the troops: today was the best day he’s had all year, witnessing some of the most focus, technical precision, and raw power than ever before with this group.
In other exciting news, Wellesley Crew is featured on row2k’s website (www.row2k.com), the go-to website for basically the entire rowing community. The picture is of last spring season’s Varsity 8 at NCAA’s. Check it out!
Well it’s getting a bit noisy in the previously quiet breakfast room which means it’s time to get ready for Battle with the Winds round 2. What will be in store for us? Some pieces, some seat racing? Who knows? Regardless, Blue will be ready to attack, making the most of every stroke, every practice. Till next time!
Shernaz Dossabhoy '12
