The Rain That Almost Melted Us....

Practice 8: Can our team survive the rain?????

Despite a forboding weather prediction, we all started practice 8 in good spirits and eager to row! Cynthia even stepped in when another teammate had to leave unexpectedly! Above, see Kyle helping her with the basics while everyone else loads in the oars and hams it up for the camera!

Today, we refreshed our skills and practiced turning the boat around by having starboard side backing and port side rowing (or vice versa depending on the situation...) Everyone did an awesome job and we were really rowing together! Kyle sat in the coxswain seat and I watched from the dock as the girls cruised back and forth. When we came to the dock to take a quick break, Kyle had to lay down to stretch out his long legs!
Neysha opted to hang in the boat during break. Neysha tends to sit toward the back of the boat, which often requires her to do some extra strokes to get us out of tough situations or to straighten the boat out.

About to go out for round 2- look at all those smiles! From front to back we have Tatiana, Cynthia, Meling, Gena, Neysha, Bianca, and Sarah. Cyntha was really getting the hang of rowing- she did an awesome job for her first time in the boat! Thanks for stepping in Cynthia!

Kyle was super impressed by the back 4- Gena, Neysha, Bianca, and Sarah. They did a great job staying in synch with eachother- maybe because Sarah developed a helpful method of chanting the positions!

Gena's 10 month old son, Dominik, napped the whole practice in his stroller! Doesn't he look so peaceful? He had the right idea.

Despite doing an awesome job for the majority of practice, the rain started sprinkling down on the Mystic River and a few of us decided to duck out. This prevented the rest of us from continuing our rowing practice, and caused a little divide between the team. However, like the young adults we are, we were later able to come together, work out our differences, and consider what is best for the team....which is being a team. Next time, we'll bring ponchos :)

Our Crew Member of the Day today goes to Javiera! Javiera was the only team member today who came prepare with a poncho and was ready to row in any condition! Javiera always keeps up a great attitude and is eager to try different positions in the boat- she's been in the front and in the back and everywhere in between! Javiera is 19 years old and is finishing up her classes to graduate this month from high school!!! Great job Javiera! Her son, Jordan, is 20 months old and is definitely a spitting image of his mom. For now, Javiera is helping her mom run their family daycare and going to the mall with friends in her spare time. She's always a pleasure at practice and is picking up the sport beautifully! You're the riggin' best Javiera!