back in the swing.

After nearly three weeks off, I returned to the lake this morning at 5:30 to sub in a boat destined for the Masters' Rowing World Championship Regatta coming up at the end of August in Montreal. My hiatus was imposed mainly as a weak form of objection to the participation of my club in several masters' regattas this summer, as opposed to smaller, community club regattas for which I would have been eligible.

Disaster. Of eight rowers who were scheduled to row, 6 showed up. Three were on time, three were late. Two were no-shows. I know you've heard the mantra, rowing is the ultimate team sport. That's a subject of frequent debate, but when it comes to actually putting the boat on the water, it is tragically true.

Rowing a 4-person boat was an option I didn't want to suggest, since I knew they would send me home (I was just a sub) and let the people actually participating in the regatta row. But as it turned out, two people were tired and begged off, so I got to break my fast anyway, albeit late (by late I mean we put shell to shore at 6).

Ahh, morning rowing. Once I was on the water I realized my novice symptoms had returned -- tight hamstrings, weak delts, and spaz syndrome, with the oar flailing more than a little bit on the recovery. And I was hungry! Last night's late dinner meant I didn't eat much.

But still, as always, the overwhelming sense of serenity that the lake affords returned easily. I noticed that, since my last row, the white duck had found a mate, a half-white duck to follow it around. Eileen, the tree where the cormorants nest (and which earned its name from the 25° or so angle at which the trunk overhangs the water at the bend in the lake) still smelled like the dead fish the birds carry home. The starboard rowers still carried their oar handles too high, the ports too low.

The row was short and filled with drills. I think the coach may have been helping me ease back onto the water. We were back ashore by 7:15 and as I walked back to my car I thought about my insane schedule of upcoming regatta practices. And I realized that I'm ready to be back on the water. My awe for the sport is back with enthusiasm to spare. Bring on the races.