Glide Solo+ Prototype- a boat to complement our fleet.

Last week, Paul Godsafe of Glide Boats visited us to see how we were getting on with our Glide Solo fleet. We reported how versatile they have proven to be for all ages and abilities to Learn and Explore and for the Juniors to compete.

Paul also brought us the prototype of his newly designed Glide Solo+ for a trial run. This boat is designed to complement the range and is pitched for progression of coastal sculling, for more advanced scullers and for the adult compete programme.

We had some visitors from Dolphin RC and the British Rowing Recreational Rowing leads who were all eager to trial it alongside the Glide Solos.

We can report that this new open transom coastal sculling boat has:

-additional glide

-added boat speed

-enhanced wave riding capability

-max sculler weight of 135 kg

It will allow us to extend our adventuring programme in terms of distance and weather conditions and it opens up the potential for heavier scullers (comparing the Glide Solo -max weight of 95kg) and for adults to compete.

Leadtime is expected to be Dec 2020 so we are waiting with interest!

Passport to Explore

We’ve enjoyed seeing our Learn 2 Rowers transition into the Explore programme, with capsize/ recovery drills galore. The boat stability makes this drill quite a task! Nevertheless it’s an important skill/ experience to have, if nothing else to know you can hop in and out for a swim!

Winding up Summer:

Sunrises and Sunsets and a Curious Seal

The Autumn chill is in the air but that hasn’t stopped us getting out and making the most of the water. After days of following arrows and wearing protective masks, there is a wonderful freedom to escaping the crazy new norm on land and getting afloat. We love taking rowers (Learn and Explore) out with us.

Our sunrises and sunsets are creeping nearer to each other and there is a need for an extra layer, but the peace, tranquility and WOW factor is unchanged, maybe even more appreciated.

This week we were particularly blessed with a close encounter with a seal, keen to check out what these red boats were all about. What a wise seal…

Inquisitive@feeding time 07:30, Pylewell

Thank you LTSC

Special thanks go to Tony Evans and his whole team @LTSC who have made us feel so welcome this summer whilst we wile away our days rigging, launching, coaching/teaching, washing down and packing away amongst the frenzy of sailors who love the water as much as we do and many of whom have already enjoyed or are planning to give rowing a go!

I have thoroughly enjoyed the use of the facilities; easy carpark, bar and restaurant (gotta love their fish finger wraps) and will definitely take Pete up on his offer of sailing lessons very soon…when I find time! Wind =sailing, no wind=rowing! Perfect complement.

I have loved it so much, I’ve become a member!

Revving up for Autumn

Autumn Programme 2020

With the end of the summer holidays and return to school routine, we have been planning the shape of the RA Autumn Programme.

*please send bespoke adventure and any other enquiries to info@rowing adventures.co.uk

Monday: Closed

Tuesday EVE: RowFit for Explorers

Wednesday DAYTIME Learn to Row Programme/ Bespoke Adventures*

Thursday EVE: RowSocial for Explorers

Friday DAYTIME: Learn to Row Programme/ Bespoke Adventures*

Saturday: Explorer Adventures and Junior Omnium Skills Courses

Sunday: Learn to Row Programme/ Bespoke Adventures*

We have been checking/ risk assessing the new Autumn/ Winter adventure routes and have bought some night time navigation lights to expand the Explore Programme. We are trialling Newtown Creek return this week and taking a picnic with us… (expected duration ~4 hours).

We are planning a new suggested Kit list for Autumn to make sure our rowers are prepared for the conditions…everybody needs neoprene socks in their lives!

Jane and Steve have been working hard maintaining the boats in dry store, making sure they are tip top for the ongoing season.

A Special Goal

One of the many driving forces for starting Rowing Adventures was to encourage family members/ friends to share a rowing adventure together. Rowing is a technical sport that takes time to master, but with these Glide Solos, the transition is made that much easier due to the stability of the boats, ensuring that the learner is relaxed while learning. Happy, relaxed people learn quicker!

Here’s mum and son, Kerry and Sean on their 1:1 Try Rowing Taster sessions; session 1 of the Learn 2 Row programme.

With the end goal of getting everyone skilled, safe and confident to transition to the Explore (adventure) programme, we always recommend a 1:1 taster session first off, to maximise attention to the learner, during which we assess and advise suitability of the individual’s progress pathway (1:2 or group sessions) accordingly.

There are many examples of wonderful moments between mother/ daughter/ father /son, boyfriend/ girlfriend, husband /wife, work colleagues, which we have been privileged to facilitate and a particularly special one I’d like to mention is of a supportive aunty and her Olympic medal winning niece; Jilli and Heather Stanning who are special friends to me. Jilli has transitioned through the Learn programme and is now ready to row with new Mum Heather…~ am very excited to get that date in the diary soon!

Jilli is a natural! Guess it’s in the genes!

Testing the NEW prototype Glide Solo+, Passport to Explore, winding up Summer/revving up for the Autumn and a special goal met!