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13 Dec Newsletter
Published 13 days ago • 4 min read
Hello again Reader
Rowing legends have a habit of resurfacing as masters rowers. This week I was discussing a project with a new collaborator and he mentioned his business partner and he had both rowed at Oxford. I knew he meant the University and also probably that he was a Blue and had done the Boat Race against Cambridge, not just that he had rowed in the city once or twice.
Although there's an ongoing trope about Yale alumni being the only ones who mention (often) that they're Yale alumni, I find this also holds true for other old universities. They slip it into conversation.
What am I supposed to do when I hear this?
Is this like a Freemason trying to find out if you are also a Freemason?
Should I acknowledge the remark by saying "wow you must be brainy" or are they expecting congratulations "did you win?" or is it simply more cool to stay silent and just raise my chin to show I've heard and recognize their achievement?
A group of American students, all former internationals, had arrived at Oxford hoping to put some steel into a Boat Race crew still reeling from their recent humiliating defeat at the hands of Cambridge - a hammering which had ended an astounding ten-year winning streak by Oxford. But disagreements over training methods soon brought into focus a bitter clash of personalities between a quiet Scottish mature student, Donald Macdonald, the elected president of the Dark Blues, and a fiery-tempered rower from California, Christopher Clark. Embodying the amateur sporting traditions of the Boat Race on the one hand, and New World big-star sportsmanship on the other, these two men found two warring factions lining up behind them.
Take a browse through our Best Rowing Books page to find others which you may enjoy reading over the holidays. [We earn affiliate commission from purchases made from this page].
Become a better student of the sport by investing in learning about recent history of your rowing club, group, country or some well known athletes this week. Wikipedia[which Faster Masters Rowing supports financially] is a great source of information.
Rebecca
This week's podcast
Assess your limiting beliefs and why a 'new you' is appropriate in midlife. Author Rachel Marie Martin's book Get Your Spark Back explains her journey and how you can find who you are again.
When you learn just one useful thing from our podcast, become a supporter from $1 per month. This helps cover overheads and enables us to continue our work to improve masters rowing around the world.
It's not too late...
... to join the Erg Intensive Camp - our first group call is on Sunday 15th December where we'll review the program, testing results and invite you to send in video for technique analysis by Coach Sam Dutney.
The group goals are to improve our erg 2k and 500m time from now through February 2025. You get a fortnightly group call, personalized program, technique advice and coaching.
Go on, challenge yourself, Reader - you may be surprised what you can achieve.
Oarsmen versus rowers
What is the difference between an oarsman and a rower?
Aside from definitions of nouns, most of us in the sport intrinsically know that there is a difference. Let's try to pin down a definition using examples.
Anyone who is experienced will have an opinion on this topic. But what is the true definition of an oarsman or oarswoman?
Your rowing philosophy is the key
Rockwell Kent lithograph
An oarsman is someone for whom rowing is a way of life, it’s their philosophy and their outlook on the world. It is more than just part of your identity Being an oarsman explains how you look at the culture and etiquette of rowing.
This gives insights into how individuals approach their participation in the sport.
Rowers are those who come and train at practice, and they train hard and race hard, But when they leave the boathouse, rowing isn’t on their mind and isn’t part of their life until they come back to row again.
A living philosophy – being an oarsman
What do you do? How is your attitude framing your participation in the sport of rowing?
This is where the clear differences arise.
When races are cancelled you can tell who are the oarsmen and who are the rowers. The differences are clear. Oarsmen take this in their stride. They are okay waiting for the next regatta. This is what we do – we’d prefer to be racing now, but it isn’t possible. But fundamentally it doesn’t change our life-view.
The rowers are the athletes who are stressing about missing opportunities due to weather and feel a lack of goal and lack of focused objectives. This hype raises stress and leads them to doubt the sport and feel frustration
Hampton Roads Rowing Club would love to know how other clubs handle transport of club equipment to races. Do you allow club members to tow a trailer with club boats (primarily thinking the bigger boats) or do you hire a professional driver?
Join us to discover the fun in our global rowing community. We race, we train, we go on rowing vacations, we meet other masters, we discuss, we learn, we laugh. Join in
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