Sat, Jun 7 2014 - Learn the Basics of Rowing! Free annual event on the Hooch! (View Original Event Details) Trip Leader(s): Charlie Cottingham Participants: Charlie Cottingham, Laura, Brad B, Barbara F, John Christopher, Lizzie, Alex, Tory, Sandra D, Rommel C. Beckles, lraymer, Amy P, Sara O, Lori, Jennifer

Thanks to the Atlanta Rowing Club for a fascinating and enjoyable “National Learn to Row Day” experience!  Their friendly volunteers did a fine job hosting their big annual "open house," with free basic training for dozens of rowing novices including our invited AOC subgroup.

After checking in at their large boathouse overlooking Roswell’s lovely Bull Sluice Lake, our two AOC “crews” first got a nice tour of the Rowing Club's gorgeous "sculls" and "sweep boats" (a.k.a. "shells") stored in the cavernous lower floor of the boathouse, some of them more than 60 feet long.  We then watched a training video and got some expert coaching - both on indoor rowing machines and on outdoor rowing simulators mounted to a floating walkway.  Our “grand finale” was eight of us at a time getting to actually "crew" together, rowing a long double-hull training boat.  We were coached by an expert “cockswain” instructor, Sherri, as we circumnavigated the lake.  I thought we all did great!

We look forward to more “learn-to-row” experiences with the Rowing Club, and consider this annual "NLTR" event to be an excellent opportunity for "cross-fertilization" between our two fine clubs.  Check out their website: www.atlantarow.org. -Submitted by Charlie, Mon June 9