Wednesday 12 November 2014

News from British Columbia

Harold Aune of Whitehall Rowing and Sail in Canada has sent over his latest newsletter which includes this picture of Adam Kreek and Andrea Guyon rowing into the sunrise as they cross the Juan de Fuca Strait from Victoria to Port Angeles. To see the sunrise, watch the video at: https://vimeo.com/46461349. Also see the waves, monster ships, and fog. Wisely, the expedition was abandoned with just 7 miles to go.

Harold also included this, which just about encapsulates my attitude to the dreaded ergo:

"8 Ways that ‘Less’ is ‘More’ With Outdoor Adventure Rowing

Getting outside on the ocean river or lake in an ‘all water’ rowing boat equipped with sliding seat rowing gear and lightweight carbon fiber sculling oars can change your life for the better in small ways that are very, very big.

1. Less Boredom – More adventure!
Less staring at the same four walls on the same rowing machine, doing the same motions, in the same room temperature. With outdoor rowing it’s always changing, views, wind, waves. It’s so much more of an adventure!

2. Less Stress - More peaceful, happy feelings!
Less tense muscles and mind load. Rhythmic breathing produced by rowing greatly reduces mental stress.

3. Less Health Issues - More ease of movement and fitness!
Less aching joints, weak muscles, weight gain, depression, etc.

4. Less Stale Air - More fresh, crisp, oxygen-rich air!
No odors produced by sweaty gym rats or recycled indoor air in the gym.

5. Less Pollution - More clean air to breathe. More nature sounds!
Less stinky exhaust gasses, less noise, no fossil fuel consumption. Leaves no oily footprint behind.

6. Less Noise - More sounds of nature. More serenity!
No roar from an engine and no yelling over it to be heard. Less disturbed and frightened wildlife. Noise travels a greater distance on the water.

7. Less Chronic Pain - More fun moving!
Less need for medication for arthritis, less stiffness, faster healing of damaged joints. Rowing is a great way to warm up the joints.

8. Less Impact On Your Body - More time feeling great!
Less need for surgeries due to impact on connective tissues of knees or hips causing joint damage as with jogging, etc. Rowing offers: a symmetric balanced loading of 90% of the body’s muscles in a smooth fluid motion.

Rowing is one of the best health and fitness activities in existence. It’s a total body workout that is gentle and effective. An ‘all water’ rowing or sculling boat is safe and can easily handle wind and waves and this means you can row all year long."

The only thing wrong with this list is that "less health issues" should be 'fewer health issues.' (Sorry, once a proofreader, always a profruder).

Whitehall Rowing's latest product is interesting too - a fixed seat, drop-in rowing unit for a stand-up paddle dory:


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