Dear Novice (or Not-So Novice) Rower— Please take a deep breath and know you’ll be ok. I know it is the beginning of the rowing season, you’ve been off the water for months, and it seems that you’ve forgotten that you are a smart, accomplished rower. Don’t worry. You’ll certainly remember how to balance that little v-shaped rowing shell that’s only the width of your hips. I know you’ve been inside on a super stable rowing machine all winter. Please remember that you’ll re-adjust quickly. And that you can do it.If you live up north like me, it’s cold out, so you are wearing enough clothes to wa ..read more

Hello Dear Novice Rower Friends! It’s been too long! Sadly, our winter rowing season here in Minneapolis has been extended indefinitely due to Noah-like flooding. The sad truth? I’m spending more time on the erg, more time writing, and zero time on the water.The happier truth—time to share an erg hack I learned recently.When I sallied up to the rarely used erg at my local gym, I found that some anonymous indoor rower had re-threaded the foot straps with a twist in the middle (see photo). The first few times I came across this, I patiently re-threaded so the straps lay flat against my foot. I f ..read more