First a correction: sculling isnt just a fancy word for rowing, its a fancy word for rowing with two oars. Thats in comparison to sweeping, which is rowing with just one oar (usually done with 4 or 8 rowers). Anyhoo on with the show:
On tuesday morning we got in the shells and it was disheartening. The second I left the dock I thought I was gonna take a nice dip in the Potomac. In fact, I spent the first half hour just trying to not tip over. Its hard to stay balanced when they just put you in a boat with two oars and tell you to "head on out." (Sweeping with 3 or 7 more ppl and 3 or 7 more oars has got to be WAY easier, btw). Since that first half hour, tho, I've slowly started getting the hang of it. I still skim the oar on the water, but as Dr. Lloyd (from "What About Bob?") would say... "Baby Steps, Bob. Baby Steps."
One thing which no one told me but I think would be helpful to anyone contemplating sculling: cut your fingernails. When sculling there are two points when you cross your left hand over your right. A skilled rower probably doesn't have a problem keeping his/her hands clear of each other. But being a beginner, I managed to take out a little layer of skin from my right index finger with my left thumbnail. Needless to say, it and my other fingernails are now nice and trim.
Wednesday morning started in a surprisingly pleasant light drizzle. That morning, tho, ended with a new concern. Since my confidence was building I started rowing harder. Consequently I finished with blisters waiting to happen on each thumb, and small blisters already formed under the knuckles of the middle and ring fingers of each hand. A few more days of this and I'll end up looking like I left my hands in a fire.... good times!
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