The Dreaded Winter Begins

There's snow in them thar hills! Or at least that's what NOAA says for the weekend. I think I might've even seen a few snowflakes on my way to classes today. Once those little white specks fall from the sky, you know what that means. Another season indoors, three to four months on the ergs.

There's something about winter training (if you row on the West Coast, you probably have no idea what I'm talking about) that just helps to sap the sprits of even the most dedicated oarsman. No matter how nice your facilities are, from Newell Boathouse on the Charles to the near-gulag basements that many clubs use, being indoors is nothing near as exciting as driving your oar and your boat through the water. Being one of those club rowers that trains in said gulags, I'm already itching for that winter training trip down South.

Despite the lack of satisfaction that comes from erg pieces as opposed to moving boats, I appreciate the process that comes from working out indoors on the oars. In an article by Topher Bordeau I read a while back, erging is to rowing what fast food is to a meal. The stress that's placed on the body during a long winter can make or break crews in the spring, and it's where you weed out the guys on the novice squad that are hanging on by their fingernails.

So for all of you guys out there who are digging in for the long winter season, good luck and many PR's to you.