Things I find annoying when I tell people that I row.
Rowing is a pretty fun sport, but there are times when people who don’t row, ask annoying questions or assume things about the sport, that really grinds my gears. There’s quite a few so you might want to take a seat for this one. (Pun intended)
“Oh right you row? You must have massive arms then” This is probably the worst of all. Although it looks like we all are aggressively pulling with our arms when we race, all of the power generated is through the legs. Every time I try and correct someone about this they look at me like I’ve just murdered their kids. So sadly no, we can’t go to gym everyday like those lads with snapbacks, and do bicep curls all day to make us better in the boat, all about the legs and being very. Very fit. If we did just pull with our arms, then the boat would be going pretty damn slow.
“Oh you’re well posh if you row” I mean yeah, the boats are pretty expensive, but I don’t see myself buying a new boat anytime soon. Hence why you join a boat club. It’s like saying to a basketball player “Oh basketball is so expensive because you have to buy the net and the ball and the court and everything”
“I’ve been on the rowing machine a few times in the gym, and it seems pretty easy and boring” YOU’RE DOING IT WRONG. I’m pretty sure everyone that has taken up rowing seriously has felt like passing out, crying, or throwing up while on the rowing machine, at least once. Basically, most workouts on the rowing machine suck, mostly because you’re pushing so hard to get the best time. If you’re legs aren’t hurting after a workout on it, then you’re doing it wrong.
