We're Rowwwwing in the Rain!

PRACTICE DAY 5: RAIN, RAIN, RAIN YOUR BOAT

Although the rain was coming down this morning, we had a dry ride over to the boathouse and were keeping our fingers crossed for the rest of the predicted downpours to hold off. A smaller group than usual today, we grunted our way down the slippery dock with the boat and managed to get it into the water seamlessly- we're getting good at this! With 2 newbies on board (Caiti and Meling) we were able to remind ourselves about what to do by teaching them! We got in our "set" position and pushed off the dock, all smiles!

In the dry weather, Monique hammed it up for the camera from her trademark position- first seat! Monique has a natural athletic ability and a very powerful rowing stroke, which makes her a great candidate for the front seat- and a challenging one to keep up with!

Below you can see me and Caiti rowing in sync...the pressure was on to see if the coaches were paying attention to all the things the girls had been learning the past couple weeks! We survived and I think we passed the test!

Ahhh, and then the raindrops started to fall...harder...and harder....until we couldn't even hear Kyle from the boat next to us! It was really pouring! We had to row together, keep the boat set, and put our muscles to the test to row to the dock quickly! Kyle even tried to challenge us to ALL row at the same time...I think we were a little too caught up in the rain to truly focus and perform to our best ability, but I don't doubt that we can do it next week!!!!

Once we were safely to shore, we weren't done yet! We still had to bring all the oars up to the boathouse, followed by the boat. Then we peeled off some soaked layers and tried to dry off in the van. Definitely not ideal weather conditions, but we learned that we have to work hard and keep up our best attitudes despite uncontrollable conditions. Kyle even said he's rowed in the snow before!!! No thank you! No one can prevent the rain from falling, but now we know that it won't stop us from rowing strong and rowing together!!!