#10 People who erg to tone their arms

Rowing is a leg sport. Don't get me wrong your arms need to be strong, but in no way should your arms be taking most of the workload.

We can see how you would think that this is an appropriate upper body exercise, but from one rower to a non-rower, you're better off doing pull-ups and push-ups. One, you'll save yourself from looking ridiculous and two, you'll save your back. 

Despite the video's hilarity and our criticism, these little things provide endless entertainment for a rower, and because of that erging to tone your arms is...

Awesome!

#2 Perfectly flat water

A sailor will never understand that one of the best feelings in the world is arriving at the club to a perfectly flat body of water. There's no wind, the water is like glass, and you feel as though you need to take advantage of these conditions. You have the opportunity for perfect puddles, and perfect rowing. Missing that 9am class for another row seems like a fair trade.

Some rowers are lucky enough to row on smaller lakes, or rivers, that rarely get more than a little chop when the wind picks up. At our club, when the winds are even somewhat high, we can get full white-cap waves. Most days we experience some chop or rollers,  so we have a huge appreciation for those perfectly flat water days.

There's something about flat water that is so calming. You don't have to feel like you are fighting with the rough water or wind and you can completely relax on every stroke, getting a fully loaded catch each time.

Sitting in your boat on the flat water, looking out on to the horizon, you feel the peacefulness of nature that surrounds you. This is one of the reasons why you fell in love with the sport.

Awesome!

Hanlan Boat Club at Dawn - Photo by: Caro.

#1 First row after a long indoor winter season

Erging can be fun, but let's be honest, it can also NOT be fun. We erg over the winter to get stronger, maintain our sport specific muscles, and so that on the glorious day of your first row...you don't die!

Getting out of bed at 5:30am on your first day back on the water isn't hard. You get down to the club, see all of the familiar faces, rig the boats you spent many hours in, and set out on your first row. Smiles are everywhere.

You take your first stroke, and it is unlike any other stroke on the erg. You move forward (or backwards, however you see it). After months of stationary training, this is exciting.  You feel the water on the back of the blade, the send of the boat (hopefully), and a few wobbles side to side as the feel of the boat starts to come back. You are now rowing, not erging.

Awesome!