Rowing
Last night was beautiful. Rowing against the sunset, the water a blue-black mirror. When we row, we are low to the water, just inches above the surface we glide across the far reaches of the Burrard Inlet. Stroke.... stroke... stroke.
I was in the stroke seat last night - at the back of the boat, the last to cross the finish line, when I row I see nothing but open water. I set the pace for the rest of us, hard on the drive, slow up the catch. Never slow enough.
It's beautiful where we row. At the far end of Burarrd Inlet, at Rocky Point Park, the water is surrounded by hills and mountains. Covered in trees and fog, scattered with houses, and in places, the abandoned bits of industry that line the Barnet Highway. It's quiet out there, and warm. We row rain or shine.
It's been several weeks now, and there are only a handful left. We're training for a single race, and then it's all done. We do drills - tapping, starting, driving, ratios. Our coach - 18 years old, with a wide smile - is a Univeristy student who rows with the SFU team. She tells us stories about her 5am practices, about her races, and about her own learning curve. She pushes us gently, helps us carry the boat back to the boat house, and makes us laugh. I imagine her Univerisity experience is the type I'd hoped to have.
I am going to take a dispoable camera out on the water next time, so hopefully I'll have some pictures to show you. This will all be over at the end of May - at which point I may look into joining the rowing club downtown. Our race is in 3 weeks. I have to remind myself to cherish this while it lasts. I am so glad I signed up for this. What an experience it has been.
:)