This Saturday, Papillon's 'people-to-boat' ratio was unusually lower as we missed a number of folks mainly due to trips - business trip / honeymoon trip / plant trip.
With 8 instead of the usual full load of 11 (sometimes 12!), Coach Patrick thoughtfully decided to spare us from the tyre - the boat itself providing enough resistance for 7 rowers.
Our plan for the session was simple enough: Technique.
With plenty of seats available, Coach was able to move around to observe closely and correct our strokes as we rowed individually. In particular, Dawn's movements have been looking unnaturally awkward and finally Coach couldn't tahan* anymore and came to the front to adjust her arms (much like twisting the limbs of an action toy figurine) - Ah, much better!
* 'Couldn't tahan' in this context = 'couldn't take it'
After the individual tuning, we rowed towards imaginary buoys in the distance. Due to the heat, Pap____s were inflicted with the same hearing problem:
- Coach said: 'Row to the yellow buoy, U-turn row back to Sheares bridge and rest.'
- What we (in our delirium) heard: 'Row to the yellow buoy ...(we zone out here)... and rest.'
So we cheong-ed* all the way to the yellow buoy (near the dam construction) and listened eagerly for the 'Easy' (while still rowing). But when instead we heard 'Now little bit more to the Sheares bridge' - we all collapsed and died.
* 'cheong'-ed = forged forward with great effort
Later resurrected by a break, we made it to the bridge, and then headed back to shore. The curse of bad ears struck again as we neared the pontoon - not hearing the 'Easy' and 'Hold', our boat executed a smooth drift-like manoeuvre which was breathtaking if not for the final bang onto the boat in front. We were duly reprimanded by the guy-in-charge - so much for 'Initial-P'.
(Folks, for Safety - next time do make sure the commands are passed down well and quickly. On our part, let's also exercise common sense to hold the boat if we realise it is going too fast when berthing or nearing other objects/structures.)
Hope everyone gained something from this Technique session - let's keep it with us for next training, the one after, and forever more.
Keep plugging away, Paps!
= Chief Editor signing off =
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