I finished my rowing level one beginners learn to row program. I have to make a choice between two aquatic sports. Rowing as a lightweight single sculler or dragon boating to the next competitive level and competing on a top platinum division squad at the national/international level.
If you are a poor rower, rowing sucks unless you can compete at a high enough level to get descent training slots. However I am a yuppie who can afford his own scull. Which means I can train when its convenient for me. Another advantage to having your own scull is it puts you in a power position where you can dispense graft in the form of allowing people who are really nice to you to use your scull during times that you are not using it.
Somehow my sixth sense tells me that if I purchased a racing scull, I can possibly be setting the stage for getting myself into a heap of trouble. Time to focus on dragon boat racing and to keep competing for a spot on the roster that will represent Canada in the World Championships in 2012. Five practices a week with a double session early Sunday mornings to weed out those that are not dedicated enough for the task at hand. National team selection will take place in a year. As dragon boat racing does not receive Sport Canada funding, so if I have what it takes to make the national squad, goodbye racing scull money.
Sometimes the last thing a middle aged man needs is to go out and purchase a very fast toy for themselves. I just am not emotionally ready to be a lightweight rower who owns his own racing scull in a club full of poor female rowers . Maybe I am finally growing up.
My first practice with the top squad in the country was tonight. I go to bed a very humbled man.
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