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Back in a sculling boat (started 2nd June 2009)

N Ward photo by H Ward (Outing 4)

Outing 4: Monday 29th June. Photo session with Dad. The ‘catch’ so called is advisedly more relaxed with the marathon sculler compared to 2K exponents. The direction of the hands in relation to the direction of the boat’s movement changes through the fore and aft stopping points. The marathon sculler moves smoothly around the stopping points taking time to visualise them as he or she connects through the stretcher – great extension and low-impact entry maintain boat speed over distance.

http://nickwardscenarios.wordpress.com/2009/08/10/sculling-log/ (if you wish to jump to more of  technical stuff)

2nd June 2009: A perfect morning on the Cam for my first outing in a sculling boat since December 2007. Rowing the ‘Simon Brown’ , a Janousek (85kg body-weight designated hull) out of the Cambridge Rowing Association Boathouse having joined Rob Roy (est 1880) yesterday morning. The boat is rigged level (which I favour, although the international norm is .5cm left over right). All I did was balancing exercises and a few full strokes. Called in to Gonville and Caius College Boat House to borrow a spanner from Simon the boatman and lowered the work by four washers.

This does not necessarily mean I am going to race again: just want to go for a paddle, guys. The ‘Olympic’ Thames Marathon for single scullers in 2012 is my idea. Non-processional, raced up-stream, finish in Richmond, coinciding with Opening Ceremony. This would be the biggest live-broadcast sculling race (or any kind race) in the history of sport and would serve the long-term cause of the environmental protection of the Thames. A professional race rowed in club colours. Happy to organise but I’ll be 50 – so lets be realistic. Happy to bring up the rear with Steve Redgrave as on-water race stewards. In my time as a boatman on the Thames I saved 3 individuals from drowning (one a suicide attempt off Hammersmith Bridge in the Winter of 2001, I was not alone – Andrew James, then Capatin of Auriol Kensington Rowing Club was the one who raised the alarm, all I did was pull her out and follow through with post suicide-attempt trauma proceedure ), so I’m qualified – and some of the visiting scullers may not understand that racing the Thames over up to 50k is a very different kettle of fish to racing over 2K. This event will suit women because they tend to be better technical endurence rowers than men. The big guys will really suffer when the lactic acid builds up. This is extreme sport, Sir Steve, and does not require multi-million pound concrete rowing ponds with lane-markers, only great technique, supreme mental and physical fitness and supernatural spacial awareness. One for the Mayor? Who gets the movie rights, Ged? http://www.fisherphillips.co.uk/

added 22 Oct 2009 (For Boris Johnson, Lord Mayor of London)

‘Also looking forward to having a chat about my proposed marathon sculling race for male and female scullers to chime in with the Thames-friendly Olympic Opening Ceremony in 2012, which I blogged about separately on this site.

It’s going to require careful management of Sir Steve Redgrave’s diary because he can’t be in two places at the same time.’

An early start coupled with some late night festivities could be the way to go with Steve’s official duties in the Olympic Arena as the meat in the sandwich. All good.

 

http://bdoza.wordpress.com/2009/09/20/a-dailys-crusade-to-save-our-rivers/#comment-2895

4. nickwardscenarios – October 22, 2009

How we go about the continued environmental protection of the Thames which in the 1960s was declared a ‘dead’ river is to impress upon politicians that a clean river always has the support of the majority. Polluters must be prosecuted. Rivers are the life-blood of the planet. Sacred geometry in action. Good luck with your battle to create a future for your children. Nick Ward, River Environmentalist.

Be fearless. Polluters are the scum of the earth.

http://nickwardscenarios.wordpress.com/2009/10/21/boris/

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