At the beginning of the rowing season this year, I was overly anxious
to get out on the water. It had been a long winter filled with cross-
country skiing, running, and crossfit training, and I was ready to hit
the water.

My goal this rowing season, was to not only keep cranking away on one
oar in sweep rowing, but also learn how to pull on two oars, and
attack the sport of sculling.

On July 9, I sent myself to the Craftsbury Sculling Center in Vermont,
the first rowing camp in America. As intended, I returned home with
the knowledge of how to “fly solo” in a 26 foot long, 31 pound racing
shell, that is barely wider than my hips. I learned how to flip out of
it and climb back in safely. I also learned how to keep a pretty good
set, have decent bladework, and put some force behind the drive. It
was odd to be on my own, and know that if the set of the boat wasn’t
great, I had no one to blame but myself.

At the Craftsbury camp the other rowers were an equal mix of men and
women, in their 20’s, 30s, 40s, and 50s. There were some campers that
had never been in a shell before, and two women that were trying to
make the junior national doubles team. I fit somewhere in between
those athletes.

The Craftsbury coaches, a group of former national team rowers, were
for absolutely excellent. These coaches took servant leadership to a
new level.
They were patient, supportive and consistent. They are true leaders
who taught us within the safety of the nest, before letting us fly on
our own. There was one coach who noticed my tentativeness, and climbed
into the water with me, to hold the stern of the boat and let me feel
how balanced I really was. Then he let me go. He was patient, but also
pushed me very hard throughout the camp. None of the coaches offered
any discouraging words. They helped us improve our technique and gain
confidence.

All of our rows were videotaped, and later reviewed by the coaches.
This was such a helpful part of the camp. Again, they offered advice
on how to make our stroke better, but always in a non-bullying way…
the way a true servant leader does. They led by example, in every
session. They sensed a struggle, and came to help with guidance and
unending patience.

I did not want to leave Craftsbury, but had to fly home and get back
to life outside of “sculling heaven” I promised one coach that I would
go home and practice on my own on the gorgeous Fox River. I have been
out quite a few times since I returned, and can’t get enough of it.

I would not have had the success in learning to scull, if it had not
been for the outstanding leaders at Craftsbury. We should all follow
this example when we are teaching others at work, or in our personal
lives. Use your knowledge to help others soak up your knowledge,
and do so in a respectful, patient manner. You will get great results.

Rowing is such a challenging sport technically and physically. As much
as I love sweep rowing with my team in an 8+ or a 4+, or sculling in a
double, being out on my own in the middle of a big piece of glass is
the best feeling. Listening to two blades go in and out of the water,
and hearing one sliding seat, is music to my ears.