Rowing and Regattas

Last September I took a beginners rowing class. I had hoped to learn a bit more about rowing, with the goal of having my own scull later in life - I had visions of peaceful mornings in my retirement spent on a lake somewhere....


The class was great - we learned the basics and fought the winds and rain of the English autumn during afternoons on the Thames. After the class ended we found out we could be asked to stay on and become part of the rowing club. But only if we were good enough =)

Well some how I made the cut, (which I think was pretty much who ever was interested and willing to pay) and became a member of the Sons of the Thames. The autumn afternoons became winter mornings and we began twice weekly team circuit workouts to get in shape for the summer season. We began going out and rowing all 8 - instead of 2 or 4 of us setting the boat - we suffered through balance problems, and fears of falling in, tons of what are here called 'burpies' and we call squat thrusts.

We were told by our coach that we were getting ready to race in the summer - "but come on," we said to each other, "we are just happy getting out on the water - and we stink, we'll never race."
Race we did! We've competed in two regattas this summer - Kingston and Richmond. We celebrated the first race with a huge team hug as our goal was really just not to mess up, (we all prayed to not catch a crab- rowing term for when your blade gets caught in the water and goes over your head - forcing the rest of the boat to stop while you have to lay down and pull the blade back to the right position.)

Our current status - 2nd in both races, (both races had just 2 boats.) But - we did almost race Oxford, if we would have won a race, we would have raced them. If I ever race Oxford, I will hang up my wellies and be done with the whole thing.

I really love it - not only is it huge fun for TJ and I on weekends when we are both coming home from our activities, (TJ golf) and have had great days to talk about, but it is amazing being a member of a team again. Not since lacing up the basketball shoes, or donning the field hockey skirt have I enjoyed the camaraderie of team sports. I row with women from England, Germany, France and New Zealand. We cheer each other on, pat each other on the back when we've had a good or bad outing and have this common love.

My dream remains to skull in my retirement - but it may be fun to race Oxford just once.

Pictures from both races are here!

Ascot - The Royal Enclosure

Based on the recommendation of a friend - TJ and I wrote to the American embassy, to request tickets for the Royal enclosure at Ascot. The embassy is given a certain amount of tickets - that they then give their citizens to allow access to this formal area of the races. After submitting a required recommendation we were granted access!

Entrance to the royal enclosure requires men to wear a morning suit, with top hat, and women to cover their shoulders, wear a knee length dress, and a hat or 'substantial fascinator'. Hmmm, what is that? Well a fascinator is one of those little hats that you see members of the royal family wearing - they look like feathers pinned in the hair.

I decided if I needed to wear a hat - to go big. It was a lot of fun. TJ and turned heads as we walked to, and then took the tube in these outfits. Once we got to the train station and joined hundreds of other people in Ascot dress, (a lot of people wear hats even if they are not in the enclosure) got our champagne and headed off to the races.

I think I forgot that Ascot actually involved horse racing - I was so excited about the culture and people-watching. It was amazing to see so many top hats and big hats. We placed bets based on names and went out to watch the royal family arrive.

TJ and I staked out two locations - his to see their carriages pass by on the long stretch, me to hopefully get a close up picture as they came into the 'parking' area. The Queen, Prince Phillip and certain members of the family arrive in carriages, the others in Land Rovers. Our plan worked for the first part- TJ got some beautiful shots of the carriage going by....but hmmm, I sort of foiled it. I turned my head just as the queen's carriage went by! Oh well, that was as close as we got to her that day. They watched the races from their box and we went about our day.

The outfits did not disappoint. The one above was my favorite man of the day. Ha - TJ, look at the THOSE trousers!

This is a funny indication of the difference between being in the royal enclosure, (crowd on the left of the fence,) and in the general admission, (crowds on the right.) I kind of felt like a cross between: 'I don't belong....someone is going to come by and kick me out at any moment' and 'this is AWESOME, this champagne is fantastic, and I NEED to wear more hats.'

This lady was my favorite of the day. Look at the swank silver dress, fun funky shoes, and beautiful feathered statement black hat. She later wore gloves - elegant. modern, & fun.

It was a fun and fascinating day! A huge adventure and amazing insight into a distinct cultural tradition. My pictures are here.