Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Sculls In My Skull It wasn't that long ago that I was a long distance runner and actively teaching Judo. I dearly loved doing both, each for a different reason. The running was convenient, and I was one of those people who got into it after about 4 miles. I used to run at an eight minute-per-mile pace (even did my marathons at that pace...but I digress). It was good for my body, and good for my head. I did some of my best creative thinking out on the road.
Then things changed, and I could not run. I even felt unsafe on the heaving deck of my cutter, and I sold the boat. What to do? For a while, I considered sculling.
I used to see these fragile-looking crafts on the lake in Madison when I was in school up there. I sometimes watched them work out and was impressed by their stamina. The thought of being out there and gliding across the water had an appeal for me, but I never got into it. When the leg went, it again became a consideration. But, then, I felt that the number of days one could find suitable conditions around here would be limited. Besides, how would Lady Linda feel about me cutting a hole in the garage to accommodate a scull?
In the end, I ended up with a rowing machine which I actually liked. Once into the rhythm of the thing, I would close my eyes and experience the sensation of skimming along the water. After a while, however, I wondered what the hell I was doing in basement all the time, and I wanted back out on the water.
The idea of sculling came back to me, but I realized I would never be happy (or comfy) going backwards (I know about the reverse oar systems) all the time. I don't know where it came from, but the idea of kayaking popped into my mind (I never liked canoes, almost died falling out of one into cold water...but I digress). I googled, found 'Baga and, as they say, the rest is history.
Paddle safe...
DS

5 comments:

derrick said...

you mean you're not supposed to go backwards in a kayak? that was the problem!!!

Kate Foley said...

Beautiful pictures on this post. Just a detail, though: those folks are rowing. They each have one implement, known as a sweep oar.

If they were sculling, each person would handle a pair of implements, known as sculling oars.

Not quite as dramatic as the difference between a canoe and a kayak, but my crew pals tend to snicker at me less when I keep their terms straight.

Silbs said...

Thanks, Kate. I appreciate you taking the time to point that out. I learned something. I am wondering if both rowers and scullers (if those terms are correct) call their "teams" crews.

Kate Foley said...

They're all on the same crew team, sort of how the sprinters and hurdlers are all on the same track team.

Silbs said...

Good analogy. Thanks for stepping in with all the interesting info on your sport.