Row ECHO

Blog has moved...

2006-08-24T14:03:00.000-04:00

Please visit the new Echo Rowing blog at:

http://echorowing.typepad.com/echo_rowing/

Around the World in 720 Days

2006-08-05T13:40:00.000-04:00

After 720 days, Colin and Julie complete human-powered circumnavigation.

After 720 days over land and water, Colin Angus and Julie Wafei have completed Expedition Canada. "On May 20, 2006, the two native Canadians completed the first human powered circumnavigation. Colin traveled a total of 43,000 km by rowboat, bicycle, canoe, ski and foot - a voyage that spanned 3 continents, 2 oceans and 17 countries. Julie traveled with him for most of the expedition, including rowing 10,000 km unsupported across the Atlantic Ocean, making her the first woman to row across the Atlantic from mainland to mainland and the first Canadian woman to row across any ocean," said the team's press release.

ExplorersWeb.com

August 5th Demo Day Cancelled

2006-08-03T15:31:00.000-04:00

The Marblehead, MA Demo Day that was scheduled for Saturday, August 5th has been cancelled. We apologize for any inconvenience.

If you had planned to attend, please call the Echo Rowing office at 1-866-ECHO-ROW or email : info@echorowing.com to make other arrangements to demo an Echo Rowing Shell.

Echo Claims Victory in Men & Women's Singles

2006-07-31T12:30:00.000-04:00

34th Annual Isle of Shoals Rowing Race

The Isles of Shoals Race was held Saturday the 22nd of July under clear skies and a light west wind, perfect conditions for an open ocean rowing race. The race is a 6.5 mile row to the Isles of Shoals off Kittery Point Maine, reserved for any sliding seat boat under twenty four feet in length. (Photo of Rich Klajnscek -1st place Men's)

The rowers ranged in age from 35 to 70, men and women. Until this year, which is the 34th annual, the race has been reserved to just shells built by Alden Rowing Shells and sponsored by the Alden Ocean Shell Association, an owners group of enthusiastic rowers. (Photo to left- Dana Gaines-3rd place Men's)

This year the race was opened to other shells in the interest of expanding the sport of open ocean and recreational sliding seat rowing. With the representation of Maas 21s from Maas Boats, Wintech 21s from Wintech Racing and Echo 18s from Echo Rowing in Maine, the field was quite well rounded and the list of entrants more diversified. There was also a kit boat called the Merry Sea by Wayland Marine rowed as a double. It was interesting to see the variety of designs in one event. This is one of the first times all these boats have competed against each other in one race. And, in the midst of all those designs and the heavy competition, Echo rowed to victory, placing 1st & 3rd in men's and first in women's! (Photo to right- Kinley Greg- 1st place Women's)

The race started promptly on time at 8:00 am with 24 shells and 31 rowers, as some were double shells. The contestants were surrounded by ten chase and follow boats volunteering to keep them corralled on their 6.5 mile row to the Isle of Shoals finishing in Gosport Harbor. It is very easy to get off course with the wind and current on the way to the islands.

A leisurely row back by some added to an exhilarating row out, as the chase boats brought back others spent from their effort rowing out.

All in all it was a successful event, with lunch and awards waiting at Fort Foster in Kittery Point upon their return.

The results:

Men's Singles
Raw Elapsed Time
Shell
----------------------------------------
1st place: Rich Klajnscek
1:02:45 in Echo 18

2nd place: Scott Johnson
1:03:00 in Wintech 21

3rd place: Dana Gaines
1:04:24 in Echo 18

Women's Singles
Raw Elapsed Time
Shell
------------------------------------------
1st place: Kinley Gregg
1:10:13 in Echo 18

2nd place: Beverley Lysobey
1:14:01 in Alden 16

Doubles
Raw Elapsed Time
Shell
--------------------------------------------
1st place: Gary Piantedosi & Dan Bakinowski
1:06:25 in Merry Sea Dbl

2nd place: Deb Arenberg & Jeanne Thorvaldsen
1:07:23 in Alden 18

3rd place: Gary Jarvis & Greg Parker
1:10:25 in Alden 18

Brook Sulloway won the Barnacle Cup, a perpetual trophy for the fastest Alden 16, this year with a time of 1:12:17 and finished 9th in elapsed time.

Hargy Heap was also awarded a special trophy for being the only participant to row in all 34 races. He says he is retiring at age 70, but we don't believe him. See you next year Hargy along with all the rest.

For complete results go to www.aosa.us

rowing, rowing shell, echo rowing

Portland Demo Day Photos

2006-07-28T13:49:00.000-04:00

It was a gorgeous day!

echo rowing, rowing shell, Sculling, Rowing

Isle of Shoals Reminder

2006-07-28T13:33:00.000-04:00

July 29

The AOSA has opened its doors to include all recreational rowing shells, not just Alden. This means that the Isle of Shoals Race is now open to Echos and Islanders.

In order to participate, one needs to join AOSA and can do so by going to the website http://aosa.us and download an application to join. An application to race is also on the same website.

Let's see some Echos out there on Saturday!!

Herculean Rowing Effort

2006-07-28T13:16:00.000-04:00

OCEAN ROWING CHALLENGE
Jul 27 2006
Emma Midgley
icthewharf.co.uk

ROWING the Atlantic is a major challenge for any athlete, but for Tony Sees and Ryan Nader it will be a Herculean effort.

Ryan uses a wheelchair, and as far as the two know is the first person to row across an ocean without the use of his legs.

Tony is a trainer at the sports centre in Ballymore, New Providence Wharf, and met Ryan at Whitechapel Gym.

The two were inspired to take part in the rowing challenge - set for November 2007 - after watching the Two Men in a Boat documentary which showed Ben Fogle and James Cracknell's attempt. Tony said: "I have always been up for a challenge, and I usually test myself to go beyond what I feel my limits are."... Read the Full Article

rowing, rowing shell

Marblehead, MA Demo Day

2006-07-26T18:11:00.000-04:00

Saturday, August 5th

You're Invited!

Jack Tatelman and Paul Mazonson invite you to join them at an Echo Rowing Demo Day in Marblehead, MA. Ted & Lorna Perry will be there with several Echo shells to give demos, answer questions and help everyone become familiar with an Echo Rowing Shell.

This Demo Day is being held in conjunction with support for the Boston Med Flight Organization. Donations of any size will be gladly accepted and Echo Rowing will donate $100 from each boat sold through a demo on that day.We'd love to have you join us!

Details:

Location: Riverhead Beach (back of Marblehead Harbor- across from Deveroux Beach)

Date: Saturday, August 5

Time: 9am - 2pm

Directions:

From 128N take exit 25A Lowell St / West Peabody
Merge onto Andover St/ MA-114E Salem / Marblehead
Left onto Pulaski St / MA-114
Right onto Gardner St / MA-114
Right onto Margin St / MA-114
Left onto Norman St / MA-114
Right onto Lafayette St / MA-114
Right onto Ocean Ave / MA-114
End at Riverhead Beach

If you would like a Demo, please call Echo Rowing at 207-438-0212 or email info@echorowing.com to reserve a time.

Walk-ins are also welcome!

If you have any questions, call Echo Rowing directly or Jack Tatelman at 978-815-2241 or Paul Mazonson at 978-314-1301.

Waiting for a smaller version...

2006-07-20T09:22:00.000-04:00

"Thought you'd like to see my new Echo being put to good use. All is well in Durham and I've been rowing a lot on fresh water (here on Lake Wentworth in Wolfeboro, NH) and saltwater in the seacoast area. Reed is ready for his version to come out soon. I am still amazed at the stability of the boat which gives me the freedom to explore so many places. If I could just get her to stop pulling to the right. Any suggestions? Thanks Lorna for all your help. She's a beauty. And he looks pretty cute too!"

Sarah Larson
Durham, NH

echorowing, echo rowing, rowing shell, Sculling

We're ready to race, are you?

2006-07-14T11:18:00.000-04:00

Echo & Islander owners: Jack Tatelman & Paul Mazonson

are ready to race in the Blackburn Challenge

July 22nd

The Blackburn Challenge is held in Glouchester, MA - This is the 20th year celebration. Check http://www.blackburnchallenge.com/ for times, race information and registration forms.

Paul & Jack have a story behind their quest to race in the Blackburn Challenge. The following is a press release from Hospice of North Shore in Danvers, MA that tells their story:

Marblehead resident Paul Mazonson Races in Blackburn Challenge to benefit Hospice of the North Shore

July 11, 2006: Marblehead residents Paul Mazonson and Jack Tatelman will participate in the Blackburn Challenge, a 23 mile open-water rowing and paddling race off the coast of Gloucester on Saturday, July 22nd. Mazonson is raising money to benefit Hospice of the North Shore (HNS) in Danvers.

Mazonson's wife's father died in hospice care several years ago and when he was considering a charity to benefit from the sponsorships of his race, Hospice of the North Shore was his choice. "I've always known of Hospice of the North Shore and I'm a deep believer in enhancing the end-of-life experience," said Mazonson. "I believe in focusing on living instead of on dying."

Mazonson mailed 500 letters garnering support for his race and has raised $8,000 in the recent weeks towards a goal of $10,000 for HNS. Mazonson and his training partner Tatelman practice on average four times per week, logging over 40 miles. Mazonson rows in honor of his friend Gary Ogan, who died six years ago and his "rowing scull" bears the expression "Don't Forget to Boogie" which Mazonson said was a catch phrase between the two friends.

Mazonson is also inspired to row by his friend Tatelman, who first asked him to participate in the Blackburn Challenge. Tatelman was diagnosed with prostrate cancer last year and joined the race "to have something to look forward to." The good friends have worked through the physical challenges of training for this race by hiring a coach, attending clinics, taking yoga and having deep tissue massage and acupuncture. The rowing scull forces the participant to use the entire body. Unlike a traditional row boat with a fixed seat, a rowing skull has a sliding seat which forces a full-body experience.

Despite the physical challenges of training for the race, Mazonson has enjoyed the training and is happy to raise funds for HNS. He said, "It feels great to be doing this for such a worthy cause; it has made it a fuller experience."

For more information about Hospice of the North Shore, please contact the HNS development office at 978-223-9787 or email philanthropy@hns.org.

About Hospice of the North Shore
Since 1978, Hospice of the North Shore has grown to become the largest provider of hospice care in Massachusetts and the most experienced on the North Shore. Located in Danvers, Mass., Hospice of the North Shore provides supportive, compassionate end-of-life care for residents of North Shore communities and their families. A not-for-profit organization, Hospice of the North Shore is dedicated to meeting the needs of all North Shore residents, including bereavement support for adults and children through our Center for Grief and Healing. In 2005, Hospice of the North Shore opened the 12-bed Kaplan Family Hospice House, the first inpatient hospice residence in the state. For more information please visit our Web site at www.hns.org.

Good luck Jack & Paul... We look forward to seeing you there!

Rowing World Cup III

2006-07-08T19:16:00.000-04:00

7/08/2006
by Melissa Bray
www.WorldRowing.com

To the smell of barbecued food, the sounds of a brass band, the heat of a late day sun, evening racing at the Rotsee saw crowds come to enjoy the festivities.

B Finals of the international events opened with Greece leading the way in the lightweight women’s single. Maria Sakellaridou continued to stay near the front but lost out in the final sprint when Denmark’s Kirsten Jepsen came from behind to win by outrating everyone and recording a seventh overall position. Laura Ralston tried to hold Jepsen’s sprint and finished second.

In the lightweight men’s single Slovenia’s Bine Pislar followed the same tactic as Jepsen and came through from the back of the field to finish first over Remi Di Girolamo of France. The lightweight men’s eight had Switzerland and the Netherlands number three crew battle it out for pride. The smoother-looking Swiss got the upper hand to finish first...

Read the Full Article

Rowing, Rowing World Cup, rowing competition

Upcoming Rowing Events

2006-07-02T20:17:00.000-04:00

July 22

Blackburn Challenge in Glouchester, MA - 20th year celebration.
Check www.blackburnchallenge.com for times, race information and registration forms.

July 29

The AOSA has opened its doors to include all recreational rowing shells, not just Alden. This means that the Isle of Shoals Race is now open to Echos and Islanders. In order to participate, one needs to join AOSA and can do so by going to the website http://aosa.us and download an application to join. An application to race is also on the same website. Let's see some Echos out there in July!

rowing

Race this Saturday...

2006-06-22T20:53:00.000-04:00

Don't miss the Great Cocheco Boat Race to be held this Saturday June 24th in Dover, NH...

Check out www.straffordriversconservancy.org for details.

Always a fun outing and a good cause!

Rhode Island Demo Weekend

2006-06-13T19:53:00.000-04:00

June 16 & June 17....
Demo Day in North Kingstown, RI

PLEASE JOIN US in North Kingstown, RI for a Spring Demo weekend. We welcome this opportunity to meet all Echo enthusiasts from the Rhode Island area. Ted and Lorna will be bringing several Echo's for anyone to try and will be on hand to answer questions, to give demonstrations, and to help all become better acquainted with the Echo Rowing Shell.

If you are interested in attending, please let us know so we can set up a time for you have a test row when it is convenient for you.

Please email info@echorowing.com or call 1.866.324.6769 to reserve a time.

Location: WILSON PARK – INTREPID DRIVE in NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI

Dates: FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2006 1 pm - 5 pm
SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 2006 10am – 3pm

More details and Directions

To learn more about Echo Rowing Shells, visit our website: www.echorowing.com

NZ for 2010

2006-06-11T20:06:00.000-04:00

NZ to host world rowing champs in 2010
Posted at 2:03pm on 8 Jun 2006

New Zealand has won the right to host the world rowing championships in September, 2010, on Lake Karapiro.

New Zealand won the event ahead of a strong bid by the Netherlands.

The international rowing federation, FISA, says the 1978 world championship at Lake Karapiro was very successful and New Zealand's 2010 bid committee showed they are fully prepared to repeat that, with significant national and local government funding and corporate sponsorship.
Executive director, Matt Smith, says FISA recognises the importance of staging a world championship in a host nation where the public strongly support the team and the sport.

New Zealand won four gold medals at the last world championships in Japan and Georgina and Caroline Evers-Swindell claimed gold at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Rob Waddell won a gold medal at the Sydney Olympics in 2000... Read the Full Article

Add a Little Variety...

2006-06-05T16:09:00.000-04:00

Mixing It Up:
Exercise variety keeps your body going strong

by Robin Warshaw From the National Women's Health Resource Center's e-newsletter, HealthyWomen Take 10

Feel like you're stuck on the same old treadmill?
You may be, if your regular exercise routine has become dull, dull, dull lately. And that boredom can undermine your best intentions. When physical activity becomes ho-hum, it's easy to find excuses for not doing it.

To cure the blahs, mix up your routine. Summer is a great time to add new physical activities, outdoors or inside, to boost your interest and keep your exercise engine going. You might choose to lap swim at the local pool as part of your weekly routine, or start each morning of your vacation with a tandem bike ride. Even a power walk through an outlet mall can provide a different twist on your usual walking circuit.

If you've been exercising alone for months, the American Council on Exercise1 suggests you take a class (tennis, step aerobics) or join a club (cycling, ballroom dancing).
Changing activity not only helps some people enjoy exercise more, it may encourage them to keep exercising while others still doing the same-old-same-old drop out.2 So, stop yawning, and start...kick-boxing?

The value of variety

Mixing up your routine does more than just beat boredom. "There are some physiological benefits as well as psychological benefits of having variety in your exercise program," says Barbara Bushman, Ph.D., FACSM, associate professor, Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, and associate dean of the Graduate College, Southwest Missouri State University.

When you do the same type of exercise exclusively, your body builds...

Read the Full Article

exercise, Fitness, rowing

An ECHO Events Update

2006-06-04T16:35:00.000-04:00

** NOTE: The June 3rd Wells/Ogunquit Adult Ed Demo Day has been RESCHEDULE TO JUNE 10 (207.646.4565)

UPCOMING JUNE EVENTS:

June 11: Harpswell, ME Demo Day ( FMI: info@echorowing.com )
June 16 & June 17: Demo Day in North Kingstown, RI

Rhode Island Rowers:
Come to an informal "rowing event" on Friday, June 16. Gather at North Kingstown Town Beach, RI parking lot at 5:30 pm.
Depending on weather, we'll do a group row around Fox Island, or over to Jamestown and back or into Wickford Harbor to Mill Cove, where Ted and Lorna Perry will be doing an Echo Demo Day (on both 6/16 and 6/17).
7:00 pm.......return and pull out boats.
7:30 pm......gather at Nicholsons' house (right next to the town beach) for pizza and "get to know each other" party. Ted and Lorna will join us.
For information and to RSVP, please call Ed & Barb Nicholson at 401-294-9749 or send an e-mail to edbarb@cox.net. We need a head count!
Bring anyone else you know who has a shell and would like to join us.

June 24: Blackfly Regatta...in Waterford, VT

If you would like to schedule an Echo Rowing Demo Day in your area, or you will be in Maine over the summer, contact us! info@echorowing.com

www.EchoRowing.com

11 Insights

2006-05-22T21:04:00.000-04:00

Eleven Insights to the Sport of Rowing

Check out a great article about rowing info such as basic types of rowing, boats, equipment and crew from the US Olympic Internet Network.

"1. Rowing is a total body workout. Rowing only looks like an upper body sport. Although upper body strength is important, the strength of the rowing stroke comes from the legs. Rowing is one of the few athletic activities that involves all of the body’s major muscle groups. It is a great aerobic workout, in the same vein as cross-country skiing, and is a low-impact sport on the joints..." Read the Full Article

rowing, olympics

FAQ: Basic Physics of Rowing

2006-05-14T19:09:00.000-04:00

Prepared by Dr. A. Dudhia, Dept. Atmospheric Physics , Oxford University

Click on each link for detailed answers....

Propulsion
Why does the blade have to slip in the water? (when it doesn't if you push off a solid object?)
Resistance
What causes a boat to slow down?
Why don't you go twice as fast if you pull twice as hard?
Kinetic Energy
Why are 'cleavers' a good idea ? (when you can get the same impulse from smaller blades?)
Centre of Mass
Why do boats continue to accelerate (and move quickest) after the end of the stroke?
Speed Variation
Why is it more efficient to row a piece with constant split-times?
Why is it more efficient to keep the hull speed as uniform as possible during the stroke?
Why were `sliding rigger' boats banned?
Balance
Why do/don't boats balance?
Why is it easier to balance a moving boat?
Levers
What type of lever is an oar?
Why does the boat move forwards although I'm pushing it backwards with my feet?
Gearing
What is meant by the gearing of an oar?
Why is gearing expressed in terms of the span (or spread) rather than the inboard?
Why is changing the span 1cm supposed to be 3 times as effective as moving the button the same distance?
What are CLAMS and why are they used?
Why are cleavers shorter than the equivalent Macon oars?
Newton's Laws of Motion

rowing, rowing shell

An Unfortunate End... Rather Quick

2006-05-08T14:36:00.000-04:00

** Early we had posted this gentleman's story as he prepared for his trans-atlantic row. Here is the follow up story according to www.firstcoastnews.com

Row Boat Sinks, Ending Trans-Atlantic Bid
By HEIDI VOGT
Associated Press Writer
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) --

A New Yorker's attempt to become the first black American to row solo across the Atlantic ended when his homemade boat sprung a leak hours after he left the coast of Africa Sunday.

Victor Mooney radioed for help after his boat started taking on water, according to a press release on his Web site. He was rescued by the Senegalese navy, but the 24-foot craft he built for the journey sank into the ocean.

The boat was made of what Mooney called "marine grade plywood."

Mooney - a 41-year-old college publicist who had been preparing for the trip for three years - could not immediately be reached for comment. The press release said he will return to his home in New York.

Local authorities said Mooney was not hurt but did not sound likely to try the trip again.

"He said 'Never. It's finished,'" said Motor Diop Kane, of Senegal's military police.

Mooney had said his voyage was to raise awareness of AIDS in Africa and memorialize the route that took African slaves to the Americas.About 50 people had gathered on the beach to watch Mooney head off toward his hometown - many saying they wished him well but weren't sure why he was undertaking the dangerous adventure.

"He's crazy," said Gaston Sabaly, who works at a restaurant on the beach. "Everybody wants to go to America but not like that."Mooney's craft had no backup sail or motor, and he was rowing with no accompanying boat. He said the French military had promised to send planes over his route occasionally to check on him.

Fewer than 50 people have completed solo rows across the Atlantic, according to the England-based Ocean Rowing Society. Four have been lost at sea in the attempt and nearly 40 have had to abandon their trips, the group says.

Mooney had said he hoped to reach the Americas in about 120 days, reaching the Brooklyn Bridge by October.His trip was delayed for nearly a month in Senegal to fix a keel broken by fishermen who tried to move his boat by rolling it on logs. He called the delay a surprise boon because it gave him time to know the local population.The press release did not identify the source of the leak that ended Mooney's trip.

Mooney had wanted to raise money for AIDS medicine in Africa. He brought in only about $6,000 - about half what he spent on the trip. Mooney said the boat and its supplies were worth more than $100,000, but he got most of his materials as in-kind donations.

Mooney said he was traveling with three phone systems, three global positioning systems, solar panels, three water purifiers, an emergency life raft and "tons of food.""I have backup maybe three times over," he said before departing. "I even have a backup rudder and three sets of oars." He also had a computer and a satellite Internet connection that he planned to use to keep a Web log as he traveled.

Mooney trained for his trip by rowing around Long Island and New York City. He said he started with 30-mile rows, then worked his way up to 365 miles.

Associated Press writer Hilary Heuler contributed to this report.

rowing, boat

Stretching and Sculling:

2006-04-27T14:25:00.000-04:00

A healthy prescription to enhance performance and reduce the risk of injury

If you devote as little time as 10 minutes to stretching after you row, the benefits will be immeasurable. Stretching the specific muscles that you use when you row makes the most sense and is therefore the best use of your time! Also, stretching just after you have rowed, when your muscles are warm, is the safest, easiest and most beneficial time to incorporate a routine.

You can expect to decrease any stiffness, pain or soreness that you may experience after rowing by stretching your muscles. Stretching improves circulation to the working muscles, which helps them to recover more efficiently after exertion. Stretching on a regular basis will improve your range of motion which will enhance your experience in your Echo. We’ve even come to realize that you can incorporate several terrific stretches without even having to get out of your boat!

A couple important details to keep in mind when you stretch:

When you stretch a muscle on one side of your body always do the same for the other side. Balance is important.
Never over-stretch or under-stretch a muscle. When you over-stretch you risk injury. When you under-stretch you are essentially doing nothing, and therefore, not benefiting from the experience. Stretch to a place of mild tolerable discomfort, this is known as your “edge”. When you find your edge, hold the stretch for close to 30 seconds.
Never bounce or jerk when stretching. This could result in injury as the muscle may be pushed beyond its “edge”. All stretches should be smooth and slow and deliberate.
Remember to breathe. When you breathe, you invite your muscles to relax, to soften and to let go. If you are tight when you stretch, you are creating unnecessary resistance and preventing the muscle from relaxing and letting go. To take it even further, be present with what you are doing and set an intention in your mind to breathe into the sensation that you are feeling in your body. This is known as “breathing into your stretch”. Deep, easy breathing is relaxing, quiets the mind and is an ideal way to finish your row.

Stretching allows you to take care of your body and finish your row feeling a greater sense of peace.

Look forward to a couple “in the boat stretches” in the next issue of the Echo Newsletter!

© 2006 Nancy Friedman, Echo Rowing

Nancy is a member of the Echo Team in the Sales Division. Nancy is a certified Kripalu Yoga instructor, who for ten years, has been teaching Vinyasa (flow) style yoga classes in Southern Maine. She has come to appreciate the similarities of Yoga and Sculling.... both a meditation in motion exemplifying grace, strength, personal empowerment and peace. Look for teaching tips, techniques and stretching exercises in upcoming issues of the Echo newsletter.

rowing, fitness, fitness rowing, yoga, Exercise

Recreating Ancient Rowing Vessel

2006-04-24T15:47:00.000-04:00

Jason's 'Argo' to be recreated in Greece
Mythical boat used in Argonauts' quest for the Golden Fleece

Sunday, April 23, 2006; Posted: 8:26 a.m. EDT (12:26 GMT)
CNN.com

"VOLOS, Greece (Reuters) -- Shipbuilders in the small Greek port of Volos are struggling with handmade tools and methods used millennia ago to recreate the Argo, the legendary vessel of Jason and the Argonauts.

The absence of modern resources such as electricity and machine tools makes it an exhausting task, but authenticity is an essential part of this experiment in ancient shipbuilding.

"It's extremely laborious work," said builder Stelios Kalafatidis. "We don't have large, proper, modern tools, only our hands and wooden mallets and chisels."

In one of the most popular tales of Greek mythology, Jason and his handpicked crew of Argonauts sailed from Volos, named Iolcos in ancient times, on a quest to retrieve the Golden Fleece from the ancient city of Colchis in modern Georgia.

Aided by heroes such as Hercules and Orpheus, Jason overcame monsters and hostile kings on his lengthy mission to snatch the fleece of the sacred golden ram from the dragon guarding it and run off with Medea, the sorceress and daughter of Colchis' king.

The Naudomos Institute, a group of shipbuilders and historians heading the project, is using ancient Greek tools and techniques to build the new Argo, and plans to retrace the mythical journey when the ship is ready.

The team had to ignore everything they knew about modern boatbuilding and employ the same wood and iron tools used by Jason's warriors more than 3,000 years ago... "

Read the Full Article

rowing, boat, mythology

Hitting the waves...

2006-04-17T16:56:00.000-04:00

Warm weather is finally here. Lorna hit the ocean this weekend in her yellow ECHO!

rowing, ocean rowing

Baby Boomers Leading the Way

2006-04-17T16:41:00.000-04:00

Baby Boomers Stay Active, and So Do Their Doctors

By BILL PENNINGTON
NY Times.com
Published: April 16, 2006

"For America's baby boomers, a generation weaned on Jack LaLanne, shaped by Jane Fonda videos and sculpted in the modern-day gym, too much of a good thing has consequences.

Encouraged by doctors to continue to exercise three to five times a week for their health, a legion of running, swimming and biking boomers are flouting the conventional limits of the middle-aged body's abilities, and filling the nation's operating rooms and orthopedists' offices in the process.

They need knee and hip replacements, surgery for cartilage and ligament damage, and treatment for tendinitis, arthritis, bursitis and stress fractures. The phenomenon even has a name in medical circles: boomeritis.

"Boomers are the first generation that grew up exercising, and the first that expects, indeed demands, that they be able to exercise into their 70's," said Dr. Nicholas A. DiNubile, a Philadelphia-area orthopedic surgeon, who coined and trademarked the term boomeritis.
"But evolution doesn't work that quick. Physically, you can't necessarily do at 50 what you did at 25. We've worn out the warranty on some body parts. That's why so many boomers are breaking down. It ought to be called Generation Ouch."

Led by baby boomers, loosely defined as the 78 million Americans born from 1946 to 1964, sports injuries have become the No. 2 reason for visits to a doctor's office nationwide, behind the common cold, according to a 2003 survey by National Ambulatory Medical Care.

A Bureau of Labor Statistics study said infirmities associated with the athletic activities of middle-aged adults were the source of 488 million days of restricted work in 2002. When the Consumer Product Safety Commission examined emergency-room visits in 1998, it discovered that sports-related injuries to baby boomers had risen by 33 percent since 1991 and amounted to $18.7 billion in medical costs.

"Knees, shoulders, hips and the lower back, we all have vulnerabilities that surface over time," DiNubile said. "It's a painful lesson to learn."

But for many baby boomers, regular exercise has become a quality-of-life issue.
Physical activity, even if it is of the weekend-warrior variety, is built into most boomers' schedules. So are visits ... "

Read the Full Article

baby boomers, Aging, Health, Fitness, Exercise

ECHO tour of Monterey Bay

2006-04-11T18:30:00.000-04:00

An ECHO Tour on Monterey Bay, CA

April 1, 2006

Five Echos made the trip from Santa Cruz Harbor to Capitola, where they beached their boats and had breakfast. After a nice break, they rowed back to Santa Cruz.

L to R (front): Sandy Wallace, Michelle Simon, Judi Jensen, Kelly Kirkpatrick, Cora Stewart; (rear) Rick Tozer

*** photo courtesy of Monterey Bay Rowing
Authorized Dealers of Echo Rowing Shells

Bent Over Rows to Strengthen Back Muscles

2006-04-04T23:12:00.000-04:00

Bent over rows strengthen back muscles
04/4/06 - Posted from the Daily Record newsroom

What: Bent over rows

What they are: A bent over row is a weight exercise that involves lifting dumbbells or a bar in a rowing motion while the upper body is in a bent over position. Rowing with weight adds resistance while you contract the muscles of the upper and middle back for improved strength and definition.

Whom they are for: Bent over rows benefit everyone who wants a strong back. Many people avoid exercising because of back problems. A back exercise regimen may be the very thing you need to prevent pain and discomfort, especially if your pain is caused by poor posture. Slouched shoulders and posture can be improved when the back and core muscles are strengthened.

Muscles worked: The muscles of the upper and lower back are worked -- the lattisimus dorsi, rhomboids and erector spinae. Because of elbow extension and flexion, the biceps are also strengthened. Abdominals become stronger when they are engaged throughout to help stabilize the posture.

How to do a bent over row:

1. Stand with the feet and knees hip width apart. The abdominals remain pulled in... Read the Full Article

exercise, Fitness, Health, rowing

Rowing on faith

2006-04-02T22:58:00.000-04:00

Solo sea journey to fight AIDS
BY JOYCE SHELBY
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Victor Mooney, 41, hopes to reach Brooklyn Bridge after an 8,000-nautical mile journey from Goree Island in Senegal.

After all, Mooney, 41, also built a boat by himself, and he's about to try rowing it across the Atlantic Ocean - alone.

"If I make it, which I intend to do, it will be a world record," said Mooney. "It will be a first for an African-American."

On Tuesday night, Mooney, a public affairs officer at the Brooklyn campus of ASA: The College for Excellence, will fly to Africa.

After a stop in Morocco, he will head to Senegal, and he plans to row the 24-foot boat he built on Pacific St. in Brooklyn from Gambia to Goree Island.

The journey of about 200 nautical miles should take five to seven days.

If the rowboat proves seaworthy, in mid-April, Mooney will leave Goree Island, Senegal, on Africa's west coast, and head for the Brooklyn Bridge. That 8,000-nautical mile journey is expected to take eight months.

Mooney will be rowing to raise awareness and $1 million for AIDS, which has hit Africa particularly hard.

A devout Catholic, Mooney wants to encourage abstinence, AIDS prevention and education. And he wants to remember the harsh voyages of African ancestors sold into slavery centuries ago.
Some of the people he has told about his journey are concerned, he said.

"Tell someone what you're doing, and the first thing they want to know is, 'Are you insane? Will someone be following you?'"

No one will, he said, but Mooney is prepared for as many situations as he can think of.

"Because I built the boat myself, I have a good feel for how it's structured," he said. "I installed all the electrical wiring for the navigational equipment. I can troubleshoot if there's a problem."

Thanks to various sponsors, the 2,500-pound rowboat will be stocked with 200 liters of bottled tea, placed in the hull of the boat to help maintain balance.

There will be three computers onboard so Mooney can regularly update his Web site, www.Goreechallenge.com, and get electronic mail.

Mooney will carry satellite phones so he can talk to his wife and four kids; a Bible on CD; CDs by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, Ray Charles and various jazz artists; biographies of Pope John Paul II and Nelson Mandela; a copy of former President Bill Clinton's "My Life;" nautical books and a digital camera.

The vessel also will have freeze-dried foods, bottled water, medication for sea sickness, backup electrical systems, an emergency life raft, an emergency beacon and a single side-band radio for emergencies.

Still, there is the question of maintaining one's sanity while alone for so long. His training for the trip has included yoga.

"Rowers say that long distance journeys are more mental than anything else," Mooney said. He didn't watch the movie "Cast Away," but heard how the character played by Tom Hanks made a volleyball his companion.

"I can believe it," Mooney said, laughing. "Sometimes rowers have hallucinations and invent people. It's conceivable, but I haven't focused on that element. I'm praying to God and God alone that He'll help me.

"I'm aware my life is on the line," Mooney said. "I'm praying for good seas and currents going in my direction."

Originally published on April 2, 2006

rowing, AIDS, HIV, Africa

For all the ECHO rowers/birdwatchers....

2006-03-30T17:40:00.000-05:00

So many of the people we speak to that enjoy being out in their Echo rowing shell or Islander, talk about the joy they get from watching the birds while they're rowing. We thought this article might be of interest...

How Was Your Bird Count?
By Chuck Fitzgerald

This was a count for the ages. More than 60,000 checklists were submitted with 623 identified species. What am I talking about? I talking about North America’s Great Backyard Bird Count. During four days in February, bird watchers across Canada and the United States participate in Birding’s top annual event. How was Your Bird Count?

This is the fourth year I have participated in Bird Watching’s main event and while my input was trivial by itself, when combined with the results of thousands of fellow birders I am part of the largest survey team on the planet. The Great Backyard Bird Count is conducted by birders all over North America. Cornell’s Lab of Ornithology and Audubon team up to manage the results every year. This year over 7.5 million birds were counted all over North America. Does this sound crazy to you? What’s the big deal?

Each February, Ornithologists get a fresh look at bird populations across all habitats. In the birding world, this is simply priceless. Birds have always been our first indication of weather, ecological and developmental impacts on our environment. From studies like this, we are able to see trends quickly and act, when action is warranted. The Great Backyard Bird Count tells us about patterns as they emerge while there is still time to do something about it...

Read the Full Article

birdwatching, Birding

Remember to Stretch

2006-03-25T08:45:00.000-05:00

Improve your flexibility with a good stretching program

From Elizabeth Quinn, About.com guide to Sports Medicine.

Stretching is a fundamental way to improve your overall health and fitness. By incorporating a regular flexibility program into your exercise routine you will:

decrease pain and soreness after exercise
improve circulation
improve range of motion
improve posture
decrease muscle tension
reduce muscle soreness
improve your ability to relax
allow time for mental training, such as visualization

A complete stretching routine can take as little as 10 minutes. The best time to stretch is after you have warmed up and the muscles are warm. The best time to perform your flexibility routine is after exercise. This is when the muscle is the warmest and when you can use the relaxation. Focus on stretching the muscles you use the most during your specific exercise or sport.

Proper Stretching Technique

Perform balanced stretching. This means you should always stretch the muscles on both sides of your body evenly. Don’t stretch one side more than the other side.
Avoid over-stretching. Never stretch to the point of pain or discomfort.You will feel slight tension or a pull on the muscle at the peak of the stretch.
Go slow! Always stretch slowly and evenly. Hold the stretch for about fifteen seconds and release slowly as well.
Never bounce or jerk while stretching. This can cause injury as a muscle is pushed beyond it’s ability. All stretches should be smooth, and slow.
Don’t forget to breathe. Flexibility exercises should be relaxing. Deep easy, even breathing is key to relaxation. Never hold your breath while you stretch.

See Recommended Stretches

stretching, Fitness, Exercise

Burn, Baby, Burn... Calories that is!

2006-03-23T23:12:00.000-05:00

Calorie burning and exercise
by Mark Anthony

How many calories would I burn doing each of the following workouts for half an hour: low-impact aerobics, high-impact aerobics, light-moderate weight training and rowing?

The amount of calories you burn varies depending on your age, sex, weight and metabolism, as well as how intensely you perform the exercise.

However, generally speaking, 30 minutes of the exercises you listed will burn, on average, the following:

low-impact aerobics: 143 calories
high-impact aerobics: 210 calories
light-moderate weight training: 85 calories
rowing: 200 calories

For every 3,500 calories you eat that you don't burn off, you will gain approximately one pound of fat. Therefore, to lose weight, your calorie intake must be less than your calorie expenditure. The fewer calories you eat and the more you exercise regularly, the more fat you will burn. But while intensive workouts like high-impact aerobics or rowing burn more calories than light weight training, gaining muscle mass is crucial to weight loss. This is because muscle tissue requires more energy to function than fat does, even while at rest. Therefore, the more muscle you have, the more calories you burn - whatever you are doing.

rowing, Sport, fitness

Yahoo Group forms for Echo Rowers

2006-03-21T17:59:00.000-05:00

John Rybczyk, an Echo rowing shell owner dropped us a note today about a new rowing Yahoo group discussion forum he's created for Echo owners and people interested in knowing more about Echo rowing shells.

He writes, "I bought an Islander from Wayland Marine in December and I have been having a great time rowing around the Sound ever since. Anyway, on a lark, I started an echo rowing group on yahoo at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/echorowing.

This group is for people who own, or who are considering the purchase of, an Echo rowing shell. Through this forum, we can discuss technical issues, share helpful hints, brag about recent trips, share race results and photos, ask questions...you know, the usual stuff. Everybody is welcome to join. This site is not affiliated with Echo Rowing. "

We think John's new group is a great idea and we wanted to let everyone know about it. You can visit John's forum and join the discussion.

Happy Rowing!

The Echo Team
www.echorowing.com

Row, row, row your...erg?

2006-03-21T17:32:00.000-05:00

Amber Cowie
Tuesday March 14, 2006

Vermilion Standard — A rower without a boat may seem like a fish out of water. For rowers across the country, the ice locked months of winter have inspired a different kind of rowing competition.

The Alberta Indoor Rowing Competition, held at Lakeland College Alumni Hall on March 11, saw 34 rowers from across Alberta compete side by side on ergonomic rowing machines in 2000 meter heats. The rowers watched their progresson a blue screen to gauge their place in the race.

Celeste Edwards and Kurt Karon of the University of Alberta finished first in the Novice categories for women and men. Peter Walsh and his son Cameron from Vermilion took home first in the Masters and Junior Men's events. For the lightweights, first place was awarded... Read the Full Article

Thanks for Stopping by!

2006-03-20T16:48:00.000-05:00

We were so excited to see many of you at the Maine Boat Builders Show this past weekend. We're glad you stopped by and said hello!

Thank you for the wonderful feedback and the great comments on the Echo website. It was a successful show with wonderful weather and lots of people. It was great to see people we know and see so many new faces.

We look forward to helping you create adventures by getting out on the water in an Echo!

Happy Rowing!

The Echo Team
www.echorowing.com

Maine Boat Builders Show

2006-03-18T09:54:00.000-05:00

To some, Maine Boatbuilders Show's the first sign of spring
By ANN S. KIM, Portland Press Herald Writer
Saturday, March 18, 2006

For most of the past decade, Heather Harris of South Bristol has anticipated the boating season by going to the Maine Boatbuilders Show.

"Some people see flowers, they think of spring," said Harris, who arranges charter boat trips for clients. Others, she said, "see boats and think of spring."

The Portland show began Friday and runs through Sunday. It is being held at Portland Yacht Services on Fore Street, a boatyard and marina that has hosted the show for 19 years.

Another event, the Maine Boat Show, will be held Thursday through Sunday at the Cumberland County Civic Center.

Harris isn't in the market for a boat, and although her job is tied to boats, it's not her profession that brings her back.

Instead, it's the opportunity to examine the luxury cruising yachts and engage the old salt who makes boats in his garage, to check out what's new and revel in the beautiful lines of the boats on display.

"This show is comprised of wonderful people showing off what they love," said Harris, who sails and teaches kayaking. "I love to hear their stories."... Read the Full Article

** Echo Rowing is displaying at the Maine Boat Builder's Show this weekend as well. Look for our booth!
www.echorowing.com

boat building, boats,

Maine boatyards building ships of the past

2006-03-18T09:47:00.000-05:00

By JERRY HARKAVY, Associated Press

ROCKPORT — Two boatyards up the coast from the spot where Maine's shipbuilding tradition was born in 1607 are working on new replicas of two ships that carried the founders of the Jamestown colony, the first permanent English settlement in the New World. The latest vessels to bear the names Godspeed and Discovery are being built for the Jamestown Settlement living history museum in Virginia in time to take part in the 400th anniversary celebration next year.

The larger of the two, the 65-foot Godspeed, is a three-masted square-rigger that will be launched Saturday in Penobscot Bay near Rockport Marine, the yard where it was built.
Discovery, at 50 feet the smallest of the colonists' three ships, is scheduled to be completed at the Boothbay Harbor Shipyard later this year.

The Godspeed, Discovery and a third ship, the Susan Constant, arrived in America 13 years before the Pilgrims arrived aboard the Mayflower at what is now Plymouth, Mass.

Because there are no known illustrations or blueprints of the Godspeed or its sister ships, the California-based naval architect based the design on that of ships from the early 17th century and documentation that the original Godspeed could carry 40 tons of cargo and passengers. A design researcher in England pored through shipbuilding treatises and port records of the period to glean more information.

"Nobody knows exactly what these boats looked like. That's why we call..." Read the Full Article

boat building, boats

British Woman Finishes Solo Row

2006-03-16T16:08:00.000-05:00

By VICTORIA RAYMOND
Sun Online

A BRITISH woman was today celebrating after single-handedly completing a gruelling rowing race across the Atlantic.

Roz Savage, from London, finally crossed the finish line of the Atlantic Rowing Race when she reached Antigue at around 6pm last night after 103 days at sea.

The 5ft 4ins-tall oarswoman, who weighs just eight stone, overcame a capsizing boat, faulty equipment, broken oars and loss of satellite communication in her epic journey.

She had started the race from the Canary Islands with 26 other teams on November 30 last year and is the 20th and last boat to finish after six crews were forced to withdraw.

Ms Savage was the only solo oarswoman in the race and one of only two competitors who took part alone.

She had not eaten hot food since her stove broke over two months ago.

She was greeted by her mother Rita Savage 10 miles from shore in an "emotional" reunion and will return to the UK next week when the Royal Navy will host a homecoming party for her in London.

rowing

Going in Style...

2006-03-12T19:08:00.000-05:00

Solo explorer Wave Vidmar will row over 3,000 miles alone across the north Atlantic, and he’ll watch movies and listen to music while doing it!

(I-Newswire) - OAKLAND, CALIF. —Alone for up to five months or more, American explorer Wave Vidmar will not only row his tiny 24 foot row boat from the shores of the US towards Europe, he’ll get to listen to music and watch classic movies.

Vidmar’s custom-designed, high-tech composite row boat has some creature comforts built into its streamlined hull and safety-conscious design. In the rowing cockpit he’ll be able to watch DVD’s of his favorite movies and shows, while rowing over 3,000 miles across the Atlantic. “I’ll be able to watch movies, learn languages and listen to music ( while I row ). A solo expedition doesn’t have to be about complete misery” says the 41-year old adventurer.

With a DVD player from Jensen Marine mounted in his living cabin, he has a weatherized LCD screen mounted facing his rowing position, and Jensen waterproof marine speakers behind him in his rowing cockpit. During heavy storms or at night he can move the screen into his living compartment. Power is supplied by Iowa Thin Film solar panels recharging marine batteries. He plans to watch comedy, adventure, study several foreign languages, and listen to some music. CaféDVD is providing Vidmar with up to 100 movies for the historic expedition.

Though Vidmar will get to enjoy portions of his coming expedition, he doesn’t take the risk or work ahead lightly. He knows his odds of not returning from this particular route are around 1 in 4 or less. Every safety precaution has been made, and over two years of research has gone into the preparation of this expedition.

And rowing an ocean takes a lot of physical work. Energy calculations estimate work load and energy expended to be similar to running two to three 26-mile marathons, each day!

Daily he’ll update his Ocean Row Solo.com website while on the expedition. He plans to start his row from Cape Cod this early June, and finish 60-150 days later, landing in England. Vidmar’s custom ocean row boat is the first to utilize a DVD system for watching movies while rowing an ocean.

ocean rowing, rowing, Wave Vidmar

ECHO for all generations!

2006-03-09T22:23:00.000-05:00

Rowing can be a multi-generational adventure!

Here's US Rowing Coach, Marj Burgard with Chris in an Echo Rowing Shell...

echo rowing, marj burgard

Come see us on the 17th!

2006-03-09T08:20:00.000-05:00

The 2006 Maine Boatbuilders Show

Friday March 17 - Sunday March 19, 2006

Friday March 17, 10am - 6pm
Saturday March 18, 10am - 6pm
Sunday March 19, 10 am - 4 pm

A GATHERING OF THE FINEST fiberglass and wooden custom boatbuilders on the East Coast. Also exhibiting numerous manufacturers of boating equipment. Sailboats, powerboats, canoes, kayaks, and rowing boats with the builders there to discuss and sell their work.

ECHO Rowing will be there! If you've been wanting to know more- this is a perfect time to see the ECHO Team and talk with them personally. There will be Echo Rowing Shells on display and we will have information on upcoming events and demo days.

For directions and to learn more visit the Portland Company's website.

We hope to see you there!

www.EchoRowing.com

rowing shell, rowing, boat

Say goodbye to Calories...

2006-03-06T18:06:00.000-05:00

Cardio Challenge: Row Away 300 Calories
Challenge yourself to get in a cardio workout on your gym's rowing machine this month -- and burn 300 calories in 30 minutes flat.

By the Editors of Fitness magazine

Burn Calories at the Rowing MachineThe rowing machine may not be the most popular piece of cardio equipment at the gym, but it's a great way to get a total-body workout that's friendly on your joints, says Josh Crosby, creator of Indo-Row and an instructor at Revolution Fitness in Santa Monica, California. Keep your strokes per minute between 24 and 28, depending on your rate of perceived exertion (on a scale of one to 10; 10 being the hardest you're working) and you'll burn about 300 calories in 30 minutes.

See the chart

Originally published in Fitness magazine, February 2006.

rowing, cardio fitness, cardio, Exercise, Health

How many calories does rowing burn?

2006-03-03T19:08:00.000-05:00

According to the Activity Profile of Nutristrategy Nutrition and Fitness Software, rowing is a vigorous exercise. Depending on your level of activity and your weight, you can expect to burn:

Rowing/crew/competition: 709 to 1,035 calories per hour
Rowing stationary (light): 502 to 733 calories per hour
Rowing stationary (vigorous): 709 to 1,035 calories per hour

rowing, Sport, fitness

Reflections on Rowing in February

2006-03-02T23:46:00.000-05:00

Women's Rowing Journal
Susan Shadle
March 2, 2006

Some may wonder why rowers wake up before others go to bed, why we dress in layers of spandex and then go out to row while there is snow on the dock and ice on the oars...why we suffer through almost eight minutes of lactic acid build-up during 2K tests, strain our bodies during endurance lifts, and spend our breaks training together three times a day...

But to me, rowing is my confidence and my vitality.

With each extension toward the port rigor, with each drive through the water, and with each slide up to the catch, I find myself focused on the rhythm. Nothing is in front of me except the slim stern of the boat slicing the river with grace and effortlessness. As we glide under the bridge, the snow-covered banks and the still water welcome us into a world of tranquility. With all four rowers concentrating on finding that right handle height, feathering the blade at the appropriate time, and accelerating through the drive, we silently work together to create the pulse of the boat. No sound is heard except for the clicking of the oarlocks and the blades swishing in and out of the water. It's like we have entered an untouched world...a mystical paradox of natural stillness and deliberate motion. As we power further and further from the bridge, the sun rises in the distance, casting an orange-yellow glow onto the river.
This is rowing in February.

And that is what keeps me going... what has taught me the lessons that I have carried out in all aspects of my life. It is teamwork, determination, dedication, self-discipline, focus, drive, and selflessness. Just like the continuous rhythm accelerates the boat through the water, each practice builds from the last.

We may be perpetually tired from early mornings and long days, but as determined rowers, we are addicts for success, always willing to give more for that perfect finish...
...and we live for those mornings on the water when the boat glides with perfect balance and synchrony, where in that moment, all is right with the world.

-Susan Shadle '07

Bucknell Women's Rowing

rowing, rowing shell

2,000 meters

2006-02-27T23:03:00.000-05:00

Two Rowers Compete at Crash-B
Indoor World Rowing Championships

Krystina Sarff and Caitlin Pauls competed at the the CRASH-B Indoor World Rowing Championships in Boston over the weekend.

Feb. 27, 2006
ORLANDO - A pair of UCF rowers, Krystina Sarff and Caitlin Pauls, competed at the CRASH-B Indoor World Rowing Championships at Agganis Arena on the campus of Boston University in Boston, Mass. on Saturday.

Competitors raced 2,000 meters on the Concept 2 Model D ergometer. The entrants submitted their most recent 2,000 meter ergometer score for qualifying times.

Sarff, who competed in the Women's Open division, finished 13th out of 333 competitors with a time of 7:05.60. There is no weight restraint for the open division.

Pauls, who competed in the Women's Lightweight division, was 10th out of 120 with a time of 7:25.10. Racers in the women's lightweight division can weigh no more than 135 pounds the day of the competition.

The UCF rowing team begins the 2006 season Saturday. The openweights take on Michigan on the Hillsborough River in Tampa, Fla., while the lightweights race Rollins in Maitland, Fla.

rowing, rowing competition, rowing machine

NZ Rowing Championships

2006-02-25T18:38:00.000-05:00

No surprises at Rowing champs
The cream continues to rise to the top at the National Rowing Champs on Lake Karapiro.
25 February 2006
NZ City

The cream continues to rise to the top at the National Rowing Champs on Lake Karapiro. World champions Nicky Coles and Juliette Haigh won the women's pairs easily, while Caroline and Georgina Evers-Swindell cruised to the women's doubles sculls title.

Caroline Evers-Swindell won the women's singles sculls and world champion Mahe Drysdale won the men's event.

Drysdale's also featured in the winning men's four... Read the Full Article

rowing, rowing champoinships, rowing competition

Saturday- CRASH-B Competition

2006-02-24T23:37:00.000-05:00

CRASH-B Indoor Rowing Sprints
Come to Agganis Arena

BOSTON - On Saturday, the modern rowing world will descend upon Boston University’s Agganis Arena to participate in the World Indoor Rowing Championships, an annual winter event in its 26th year. Commonly referred to as the CRASH-Bs (Charles River All-Star Has-Beens), the world-class event is making its first appearance at Agganis Arena.

The CRASH-Bs, which brings in competitors from all over the world, involves racing a distance of 2,000 meters on rowing machines or “ergometers.” There will be around 2,000 competitors in 35 individual events that span across gender, age and weight. With the computerized machines networked together, virtual reality boats will be projected onto a large screen monitor to simulate a racing situation... Read the Full Article

For more information on the event, please visit http://www.crash-b.org.

*** Look for the ECHO Rowing booth featuring an Echo Rowing shell on display- and meet some of the Echo Team!***

rowing, rowing shell, rowing machine, rowing competition, fitness, fitness rowing

Rowing exercises help strengthen the back

2006-02-19T19:03:00.000-05:00

by Jann Brewer
Marco Island Sun TImes

"Exercises to strengthen the back are very important. Doing the proper exercises can help you to prevent back problems or, in the event you are recovering from a back injury, can help you to rehab the affected muscles.

One exercise that is commonly used to strengthen the upper back and middle back is the row. Seated rows specifically work the rhomboids, latissimus dorsi, teres major and trapezius. Upright rows target the deltoids and the trapezius. Seated rows can be done on a cable machine or with exercise bands. Upright rows are done while standing. You can use dumbbells or exercise bands for this exercise.

While doing a seated row, your legs are extended out front with a slight flex in the knee... "

Read the Full Article

rowing, fitness rowing, fitness, Exercise

Wisdom, Power, Confidence, Health, Beauty:

2006-02-18T11:23:00.000-05:00

More Women are Rowing Now then Ever Before

Women are getting out of the house, out of the gym and onto the water! What is it that’s capturing their attention and stirring their passion for health, fitness and overall wellbeing? It’s rowing.

Rowing meets the 4 key requirements that fuel women’s wisdom:

Health
Fitness
Energy
Confidence

Rowing is a full body aerobic exercise, working so many of the muscle groups in the body that it delivers a total body workout in less timet hat it takes to go to the gym. Rowing works the muscles of the arms, legs, abdomen and torso as well as the heart and lungs, building endurance and strength- not to mention great shapely legs!

Moving out of the gym and onto the water, rowing offers an exciting change of pace and an easier, more desirable way to stay committed to health and fitness. Being in the open air, at one with nature and the serenity of the water, the peace and quiet nurtures the soul and provides a haven in the midst of a hectic lifestyle.

The energy that comes, not only from increased endurance and muscles strength, but from a deeper connection to their spirit and wellbeing, women are finding rowing to be an exercise in wholeness. Being one with the water, one with themselves and their surroundings, it is a peaceful meditation as well as a powerful exercise.

The confidence and empowerment that fills a woman’s soul is nourishing to her daily life and overflows into her relationships, activities and overall sense of wellness.

Women are reaching out to others and forming rowing groups, sharing their wellness experience with others in a form of group meditiation and community. Women as young as their early teens to women well into their 60’s are turning to rowing as a vital part of their daily life. They are helping each other overcome their fears and build new confidence.

Rowing is quickly becoming the sport of choice for women in their middle years. “50 is the new 30,” is the phrase being coined by two of America’s top models: Christie Brinkley and Cheryl Teigs. "Our generation, the baby-boomers, have always been the driving force," says Brinkley.

Baby boomers are a large majority of the population and these women want more from life. They want to be recognized, active and connected. What better food for the soul than rowing- a sport that meets all 4 key requirements for women’s wisdom?

© 2005 J. Foster

www.echorowing.com

rowing, fitness, Health, fitness rowing, recreational rowing

Going for the Highest Honor in Rowing

2006-02-15T14:37:00.000-05:00

Known affectionately as "The Tommy", this 18-carat gold medal is the pinnacle of rowing awards – the highest honour – and for the first time nominations are open to the rowing public. This is your chance to have a say in who will be the 2006 Thomas Keller medal recipient.

The Thomas Keller medal has been around since 1990 and is all about honouring the best in the sport and those who did not simply reach the top of the world of rowing, but have done the even harder task of managing to remain there.

Last year Sir Matthew Pinsent received it after retiring from a career that included an unprecedented 11-year international winning spree and a bagging of four Olympic gold medals.

There’s also been Dutch rowing legend Nico Rienks who...

Read the Full Article

rowing, Sport, Olympics

Rowers without Waves...

2006-02-14T23:16:00.000-05:00

Rowers Avoid Making Waves
By Don Descoteau
Victoria News
Feb 08 2006

"Monster Erg a good place to unearth recruits for UVic's rowing program.

Never mind the fact the University of Victoria Vikes women's team won the Canadian university championships at Elk Lake last fall. Recruiting is an ongoing activity for head coach Rick Crawley and his staff.

That much was clear by the way blue-shirted UVic coaches were seen talking to a number of young rowers during the annual Monster Erg indoor rowing competition at McKinnon Gym Sunday.

"My assistant has been going around finding out who's already committed," Crawley said. "It looks like we're going to get three of the top lightweights."

The erg event simulates on-the-water racing for up to 20 rowers parked on high-tech machines spread along the edge of the basketball court..." Read the Full Article

fitness rowing, rowing, fitness, Health

ECHO on the Rocks...

2006-02-13T23:27:00.000-05:00

www.EchoRowing.com

Rowing Star returns

2006-02-11T23:55:00.000-05:00

The return of rowing star Porter
10/2/06 4:22 PM
www.worldrowing.com

"A club regatta in Japan got Olympic medallist, former single sculling star Derek Porter of Canada thinking. After leaving rowing behind following a fourth place finish at the 2000 Olympics Porter is going for the top again.

A well-rested Porter looks to the future and back to the past when he talks to World Rowing journalist Melissa Bray about his return to the sport.

World Rowing: Are the rumours true?

Porter: Yes, I am planning a return to elite rowing. If all goes well I would like to race at the World Rowing Championships in Eton this summer. After five years off I feel rested enough to give it another go.

World Rowing: Do you plan to stay with the single?

Porter: No, I have no plans at this point to race the single. I am looking at rowing the double with Jake Wetzel (silver at Athens in the men’s four) if all works out... "

Read the Full article

rowing, rowing shell, olympics

Solo Row across the Atlantic

2006-02-10T15:36:00.000-05:00

Wind in his sails
Nanditta Chibber / New Delhi
February 11, 2006

How does rowing solo in a boat across the Atlantic Ocean sound? Adventurous and romantic? Definitely! But would you give it a shot to “discover yourself”? I presume the answer is likely to be “no”.

But 32 men in the past have rowed across an ocean solo and the 33rd one is ready with his boat to pick up his oars to cut across the Atlantic in the last week of February. Bhavik Gandhi, in his late 20s, based in Sweden, is the first Indian and Asian to make such an attempt and the expedition’s success could create world history for extreme endurance sports.

What motivates a person to row 3,000 nautical miles (5,000 kilometers) from La Gomera, Spain to Antigua, Barbados? For Gandhi, who could be called an endurance sports freak, having cycled 3,000 miles from Stockholm to Istanbul and taken part in various other challenges like distance running, mountain climbing, sailing and trekking through a lake in Siberia, “there are other things to life than just an MBA”, he quips.

Being more profound, he adds, “The mind is like a piece of elastic that stretches to unthinkable limits where through such expeditions you discover yourself.”

Once the goal is set, being physically and mentally prepared comes along with a host of things to make survival possible in the ocean’s vastness... " Read the Full Article

rowing, ocean rowing

Rowing Machine Races

2006-02-09T23:17:00.000-05:00

Get rowing: Pull yourself into shape
Wednesday, February 08, 2006

By Jack Kelly, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Rowing was once as popular a sport in Pittsburgh as football is today.

It may seem hard to believe, particularly since most of us associate rowing with the Ivy League. That is where Michael Lambert, who just stepped down as executive director of the Three Rivers Rowing Association, was introduced to the sport as a student at Dartmouth College in the 1960s.

But rowing was a working man's sport before it became popular in colleges. "Thousands of people would turn out to watch races on the Allegheny and the Monongahela," he said.

That was in the mid-19th century. The sport of rowing grew naturally from the fact that rowboats were a key factor in commerce and transportation in those days...

Read the Full Article

rowing machine, rowing, fitness, Exercise, Health

Sling your ECHO...

2006-02-09T13:43:00.000-05:00

We've just introduced a new storage accessory for Echo Rowing Shells- The SlingSet by Talic

It's perfect for mounting your ECHO or Islander in the garage, basement, boathouse, on a fence, etc. Great for storage !

* Supports boat well
* Easy for 1 person to load & unload boat
* Fully adjustable straps
* Works with any rowing shell, kayak, sailboard, surfboard

The best part-- it's just $39.95!

email the ECHO office for details and to purchase- Echo Accessories page
www.echorowing.com

rowing, rowing shell, boat storage

Dreamin' on the Water

2006-02-06T13:49:00.000-05:00

Life is but a dream
February 05,2006
DIANE MOUSKOURIE
DAILY NEWS STAFF

Ripples break white caps,
and the Carolina blue skies
reflect the color of
Marj Martin Burgard’s eyes.

The winds are a bit more brisk than Burgard prefers, but not brisk enough to keep her out of the Beaufort water. The 76-year-old makes it look easy as she grabs the oars and places them by the dock. Then she quickly walks back up to the boat house and pulls down the 18-foot recreational shell and places it bow first on a convenient hand truck.

It takes less than a minute to push the shell through the parking lot. Then she’s back at the dock and ready to row. She moves at a clip more typical of a person half her age, then sets the shell gently into the water. As she steadies the shell she steps precisely into the center and sits down, oars in hand.

“Beaufort was made to row with all its little islands and inlets,” she said.

Within seconds she pushes off the dock and glides out toward the bridge that divides Morehead City with Beaufort. Cool winds blow her short curls into a tangle of gray. Seagulls dive for fish around her.

“When you’re rowing you don’t think about anything else,” she said. “It’s all about the serenity of being on the water, communing with nature.”

Rowing, once the sport of college teams in racing sculls, recreational rowing can be a great aerobic exercise for anyone wanting an all-body workout, she said.

It was her late husband, Arthur Martin, who designed the Alden Ocean Shell in their native Maine, the first single-seat shell. That was more than 25 years ago, but it was a move that opened up rowing to recreational users nationwide.

“You don’t need anyone but yourself to row,” she said.

These days, Burgard parks her Alden shell at the Gallants Channel annex in the Dr. Marcy Wertz Thomas Rowing Center’s boat rack, property of the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort. There are about 40 active rowers who belong to Beaufort Oars, a club organized by Burgard’s daughter, Dizy Brown, in 1991.

Later, when Burgard, a certified U.S. Rowing Coach, joined, she began offering clinics for beginners to the more advanced recreational rowers. She also has others come in occasionally and once in a while offers children’s clinics. But it is her love of rowing that quickly infects others associated with her.

“The key thing with an older athlete is that if they can have fun while doing it they are more likely to stick to it,” she said.

Dawn Howd, who recently turned 47, lives in Richlands. She first learned about rowing about a year ago when she started searching the Internet for some form of exercise she could do.

“I started last February and it has been a quick love affair,” Howd said. “My cholesterol has gone down 60 points in less than six months just from rowing.”

Howd said she feels much healthier. Her cholesterol went down without medication or any special diet.

But it was when Howd was researching ECHO recreational one-seat shells that she found Burgard. “The first day she took me out she tied her boat to my boat,” Howd said. “I thought she didn’t think I’d do OK, but later I realized how easy it would be to drift away in the current.”

The first thing Howd did was go out and buy her own shell.

“You don’t even have to get wet unless you get in by the beach,” Howd said.

Most rowers own their own shells, but there are others who prefer to use the ones maintained by Beaufort Oars. Membership entitles members to use the facilities whenever they want; to row, train on the Concept 2 rowing machine, use the dock and boathouse and other equipment.

Of course, it’s not as busy in the winter as it is in the spring, summer and fall. But serious rowers don’t care what time of year it is, she said. They like being out on the water any time.

“I’m here nearly all the time during the spring, summer and fall,” she said. “My husband and I come and go from the Northeast, but my main focus is rowing.”

Burgard and her former husband were well known in rowing circles near Kittery Point, Maine. She met her current husband, Ralph Burgard, through friends in the Beaufort. At age 78, he also enjoys rowing and is quite competitive.

In 2001, the two of them won several medals in their age group in the Head of the Charles race in Charleston, S.C. Long before rowing became her sport, Burgard was a master swimmer.

“I was a national champion, but it seems like it was so long ago,” she said. “I was in my 50s then. Now, I’m in my mid 70s.”

She said it was something she had to get out of her system, the need to be extremely competitive.

“Now, I don’t care if I’m in races,” she said. “It’s about staying fit. When I get in a boat it keeps me young in heart and in spirit. I feel younger, more alive.”

Most anyone who can walk can row if they want to, Burgard said. It’s easy on the joints, but at the same time you’re working all the muscles in your body. Rowers rarely suffer from joint or muscle aches. And many doctors prescribe exercise for people with lower back and disc problems.

Rowing helps with circulation and places little strain on the back. The heart and lungs benefit as all the muscles in the arms, legs and torso work to propel the shell, she said.

But proper form is critical, Burgard said. Before she allows newcomers to give it a try, she sets them down on the rowing machine. Once they can show her that they can keep up a certain rate, she lets them in the water.

The machines allow people to get just as much of a workout, but in a controlled setting.

She sits in the seat and demonstrates. She leans back with her hips pushing back with her legs and torso.

“Because you’re sitting down, there’s really no stress on your joints,” she said. “Several runners have stopped and switched to rowing because of the pounding on their joints.”

Contact staff writer Diane Mouskourie dmouskourie@freedomenc.com

Marj Martin Burgard

Sharks, Storms & 2900 miles....

2006-02-03T11:17:00.000-05:00

Feb 2, 2006:

MIRRORMAN PHIL SURVIVES 2,896 MILES, SHARKS AND STORMS TO ROW THE ATLANTIC

TWO hours rowing, two hours sleeping, two hours rowing again. Mile after relentless mile of wild seas, whales and aching homesickness.

But after 62 days Mirror photographer Phil Harris and his rowing partner Charlie Woodward-Fisher have completed their 3,000 mile charity row across the Atlantic, one of only a handful of cockleshell heroes to make it to the other side...

Read the Full Article

rowing, rowing shell

Anyone can Learn to Row!

2006-02-01T10:51:00.000-05:00

Seaweed, the Snowgirl gets a quick rowing lesson from the ECHO team...

photo by Jon Bahrt

www.echorowing.com

rowing

Experience the Oneness

2006-01-27T22:50:00.000-05:00

Echo brings you back in touch with the true nature of water...

Experience the Oneness.

www.echorowing.com

rowing, Sport, nature, meditation, consciousness

The Golden Oar Award goes to...

2006-01-26T16:29:00.000-05:00

The golden rowing year of Van Eupen
26/1/06 8:04 AM

"Just after winning at the 2005 World Rowing Championships Marit van Eupen received an email. It contained news that most Dutch single scullers can only dream about. Marit was asked if she would like to have the Golden Oar.

“In the days thereafter I realised that it possibly would be the greatest honour in my rowing career, maybe even in my life.”

The Golden Oar is the most prestigious award for single scullers in the Netherlands. It has only seen five owners in its 114 year life. Marit becomes the sixth. It was handed to Marit by former owner, Frans Göbel (lightweight champion 1989) who chose Marit to succeed him.

But 2005 was Marit’s year in more ways than one. She started off the year by winning gold at the FISA Team Cup in the lightweight women’s single. Then she completed the racing season by becoming World Champion in the same event. Moving into the head racing season Marit finished third at Switzerland’s Armada Cup in the open women’s single. She then took on open-weight World Champion Ekaterina Karsten and finished a competitive second at the Hell of the North.

At the end of the year the awards and accolades started to arrive. Marit became Amsterdam female athlete of the year and was also nominated for national female athlete of the year.
Marit talked to World Rowing about the Golden Oar, popularity and her life as a rower..."

Read the Full Article

rowing, single scull

Upcoming Rowing Events

2006-01-25T10:28:00.000-05:00

Row EXPO
Wayland Marine
Bellingham, WA
Feb 10-12, 2006

C.R.A.S.H.-B. Sprints
Agganis Arena at Boston University
Sat. Feb. 25th

Snow Row
Hull, MA
March 4th
www.lifesavingmuseum.org

Maine Boat Builders Show
Portland, ME
March 17-19
www.portlandyacht.com

East Coast Canoe and Kayak Festival
Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission
James Island County Park Charleston, SC
April, 21-23, 2006
www.ccprc.com

For more details, visit us: www.echorowing.com

snow row, kayaking, rowing, boat, boat building

Ancient Rowing... Egyptian style

2006-01-25T09:18:00.000-05:00

Ancient Egyptian Boats

Egyptians pioneered the development of river craft and there were many different types built for various uses. Agricultural produce, troops, cattle, stone and funeral processions were all carried on the Nile and its canals. These boats were made of bundles of bound papyrus reeds. Papyrus is different from paper because papyrus is a laminated material made from thinly cut strips from the stalk of Cyprus Papyrus plant. It was believed to be first used about 4000 B.C., and became Egypt’s major exports.

There were many types of boats that Egyptians used. Papyrus boats were used by Egyptians. Papyrus boats were built with bundles of papyrus. They were steered with oars. Sailboats were used a lot by Egyptians. Sailboats were steered by two oars. Sailboats usually only had one square sail. Funeral boats carried dead people down river. They were used to carry the dead across the Nile River. The funeral boats were very elaborate.

The earliest record of a ship under sail is depicted on an Egyptian pot dating back to 3200BC. These Egyptian boats were made of either native woods or conifers from Lebanon... Read the Full Post

rowing, boat, rowing shell

Folding Riggers make travel easy!

2006-01-24T14:40:00.000-05:00

"Thanks to the folding rigger system, I have been able to haul my ECHO to the beach here in Key West behind my bike on a "Paddleboy" kayak trailer? The width of fixed riggers would have made it impossible." ~ Frank Kabela, Florida

rowing, boat, echo rowing, rowing shell

Competitive Rowing since 1700's

2006-01-23T13:32:00.000-05:00

This Olympian sport began as a form of water transport in ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Rome and Greece. Showing superiority on the water was also a sure fire way too win a war or conquer your enemy.

As early as the 1700's, people began to turn to rowing for competition. The Thames River is home to the oldest rowing contest- Doggett's Coat and Badge Race (since 1715).

The rowing regatta between Oxford and Cambridge, an annual event, began in 1829. It opened up the sport to wide appeal. By the early 1900's, rowing had gained popularity across Europe and into America.

Bad weather, however, postponed rowing's scheduled debut in Athens in 1896, so its first appearance was at the 1900 Olympics. Women's Rowing debuted at the 1976 Montreal Games.

Read about the History of Rowing

rowing, Sport, rowing competition, rowing regattas

Gym Rowers- not seeing the value?

2006-01-19T13:12:00.000-05:00

This article was posted in the Washington Post in November 2005:

Rowing Against the Current of Fitness Habits
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
by John Briley

We get occasional e-mail from experienced rowers here at Moving Crew World Headquarters. And while we typically decline their offers to whack us upside the head with an oar, we concede we are overdue in recognizing rowing as an excellent and efficient full-body workout. (Since most of us would be ill-suited to, and perhaps outright dangerous around, a scull on the Potomac, we speak here mainly of rowing machines used in health clubs and homes.)

Rowing "burns more calories for equivalent power output than cycling or treadmill running," said Frederick C. Hagerman, director of the Work Physiology Lab at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. Rowing for 20 minutes at a given perceived rate of exertion (say, a 6 on a 10-point scale) burns 10 to 15 percent more calories than would cycling at the same time and difficulty, he said. This is because rowing engages more muscles than most other forms of aerobic exercise, thus burning more energy. Hagerman has published many rowing studies in peer-reviewed journals.

Rowing "uses more muscles than any other sport except cross-country skiing," said Noel Wanner, a rowing coach, former member of the U.S. national rowing team (1992-1993) ... Read the Full Article

gym, health facilities, exercise, Fitness, rowing, fitness rowing

New Years Day Row...a chilly one!

2006-01-18T23:44:00.000-05:00

Read about it in the Portsmouth Herald

recreational rowing, rowing

New to Rowing ?

2006-01-18T20:02:00.000-05:00

Some Cross-Training Ideas for Novice Rowers

Adair Ferguson, BSc, BA (Human M'vt), MSc (Qual.)
Sport Development Officer for ACT Rowing

Quite a few rowers have asked me about what other types of training they should be doing in addition to their rowing activities, and what is the 'minimum amount of training they can do in order to race'.

Because of other commitments, or limited access to suitable equipment, many novice and masters rowers in particular can only spend a limited amount of time training on the water. On-water rowing sessions can be quite time-consuming by the time you drive or cycle to the rowing club, wait for others to turn up, find your oars, get your boat out, row, come in, put your boat and oars away, shower, perhaps lock up the shed, then drive home or off to work.
If you can only row, say, 1 to 4 times a week, there is a range of other sports activities that are not only enjoyable in themselves, but which can also enhance your rowing fitness, to the point where you can be fit enough to race competitively at club level with minimal disruption to other aspects of your life.

For example, a I once knew a Swiss rower, of average technical standard, who could only row on Saturdays because of his job commitments, which resulted in his being in the mountains, a long way from the water, during the week. He spent what little spare time he had walking, running and hiking in the hills. Despite his limited rowing opportunities he managed a bronze medal in the lightweight single scull at his national championships! You can't do that without being fit, and his general fitness activities obviously were of great benefit to his rowing performance.

The Components of Fitness

There are various components of fitness-you may have heard of terms such as aerobic fitness, strength, flexibility, anaerobic power and muscular endurance. Very simply,
aerobic fitness refers to your general endurance or ability to sustain an activity (e.g. rowing, cycling, running, swimming) for a long time ... Read the Full Article

recreational rowing, rowing, rowing training, fitness training

Ripping through the Waves

2006-01-18T12:27:00.000-05:00

ocean rowing, rowing, rowing shell

For Many ECHO Rowers...

2006-01-11T15:58:00.000-05:00

Life Begins at 60
By Gail Sheehy
Published: December 11, 2005
Parade Magazine

Live Longer, Better, Wiser

"Three hundred years ago, the average life expectancy in the Colonies was in the 30s. Life was harsh, diets were unbalanced, and (in the world before antibiotics and modern medicine) too many women died in childbirth and too many other people died of everything from scurvy to impacted teeth.

Today, scientific progress not only allows us to reach our 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s —it also gives each of us a real opportunity to live better lives.

Next year, Americans will celebrate a huge, ongoing birthday party, as the first members of the Baby Boom generation (born between 1946 and 1964) turn 60. These aging Boomers have an unprecedented capacity to do, to enjoy and to influence the world around them.. Read the Full Article

tags: fitness, Health, baby boomer

ECHO goes to a Picnic

2006-01-10T14:55:00.000-05:00

echo rowing, rowing shell, rowing

Fitness Rowing Poll

2006-01-09T13:11:00.000-05:00

Here's a recent poll taken by Rob's Home of Fitness Testing:

Q:Which of these would you consider the most important physiological attribute for success in the sport of rowing?

CHOICES:

muscular endurance
cardiovascular endurance
anaerobic fitness
height / limb lengths
power
strength
other

click here to check out the numbers & participant comments

tags: rowing, fitness rowing, fitness

ECHO Team Teaches Rowing too

2006-01-03T18:22:00.000-05:00

Echo Rowing team members spend a large portion of their time teaching rowing to people interested in learning. Want to take up rowing as your primary form of fitness? Contact the ECHO Rowing office at 1-866-ECHO-ROW and schedule a demo/teaching session.

Here you see designer Doug Martin teaching a first-time rower.

rowing, fitness rowing, fitness, Exercise

A Great Morning Row....

2006-01-03T18:18:00.000-05:00

Hi,

Had a great row this morning in my ECHO. Clear as a bell and 34 deg. in Seattle and NO power boats out. My wife and I had Lake Union, Portage Bay, and Union Bay all to ourselves, just us and the birds.

Got home and checked e-mails and then the Echo website. You have always kept the website current and made frequent updates but I think the new format is the best yet. I hope the blog gets lots of interest.

Not many Echo's here so it would be nice to hear what others are doing! I am waiting with interest to hear the latest progress on the Ace.

Bob M ~ Seattle, WA

rowing, seattle

Being at Home on Open Water...

2006-01-03T17:11:00.000-05:00

"I have tried the Echo at Mystic Small Craft Weekend the first weekend of June every year, what a nice boat. All I had to do was just float it go out sit on it set myself up and go for a row. It is a wonderful very well thought out design lightyears better than the Alden single because it is designed to be launched in waves from a beach as well as from a dock. It has volume where you want it in the bow and midship. This is the most portable sliding seat boat I have ever seen. I know Doug Martin the designer. He put into this boat all those things one needs for being truly at home on open water. You should look at his video because this shows how the boat reacts to wave conditions. "

thanks, gail

-- g.ferris March 03, 2005.

echo rowing, rowing, rowing shell

Fitness Rowing - Use Proper Form

2005-12-28T15:23:00.000-05:00

Rowing
by Baptist Memorial Health Care

"Rowing is a great aerobic exercise for getting you in shape. The more muscles you use while you're exercising, the less time it takes you to get a total body workout. Rowing uses many muscles of the arms, legs, abdomen, and torso. Your heart and lungs can get as great a benefit from rowing as from running, in a workout that also builds muscular strength and endurance.

Rowing places little strain on the back. Joint and muscle problems are not common among people who row regularly. Doctors often prescribe this exercise for people with lower back and disk problems. If you have back or circulatory problems, get medical clearance before you start a rowing program.

Proper rowing form is critical. It is the same if you are in a boat or shell or using a rowing machine. Lean back from your hips while pushing back with your legs and torso..."
Read the Full Article

fitness rowing, rowing, rowing machine

Lightweight & Easy to Carry

2005-12-27T18:23:00.000-05:00

echo rowing, rowing, rowing shells, rowing scull

What ECHO owners have to say...

2005-12-22T15:13:00.000-05:00

" I am a sea kayaker turned sea rower. This spring I bought an Echo and love it. I take it almost anywhere that I would my kayak- it actually feels more stable that the kayak, and can go farther faster. I have rowed island to island at Vianlhaven, Stoninghton, and numerous other Maine and northern New England locations, and in up to 18 knot headwinds. The boat handles beautifully and is actually more fun with a little chop. I am 5' 2", female and not a terribly strong rower (yet!), but have had great fun with this boat. And the Echo people are terrific to deal with. " Linda. S.

" I have now had my Islander for 2 months, and I love it. I have been out rowing in all types of seas and wind conditions, and the Islander has handled them all without a hint of instability. When my companions in their kayaks have been struggling to maintain a 2 knot/hr pace into a 20 knot wind and a running tide, I, in my Islander, have been able to comfortably cruise a 4 knots/hr. When out alone I can easily maintain a pace of 6 knots/hr. Moreover, I also use it as a family boat; my 12 y.o. daughter will ride on the bow as we row along the beach, and then she will use it as a diving platform. This boat is everything I wanted and more. Thanks again for your excellent support and help. Lorna was wonderful to keep going out with me to help me learn the basics." ~ Bob C.

" I've rowed many of the rec and racing shells on the market. I've been rowing and racing for over 20 years. I live on an esturary that often has a lot of boat traffic. Last year I bought an ECHO and I absolutely love the boat. I don't miss a stroke, even in boat wake and I rowed it on Christmas Day, New Years Day and Feb through the winter. The folding riggers make it a cinch to transport. I keep my oars permanently in the oarlocks. Last weekend I brought it to Barnegat Bay and a friend rowed it in 20 to 25 mph winds. There were white caps. He came in and said he loved it and wanted to unload some of his fleet and get an ECHO." ~ JoAnne S.

rowing, rowing shells, rowing scull

Celebrating Christmas in an ECHO...

2005-12-19T19:04:00.000-05:00

Experiencing smoothness....

2005-12-16T11:39:00.000-05:00

An ECHO Enthusiast, Bob Auchincloss recently sent us a story he had written for his writing class:

Routines

"The light green numbers clicked to 6:12, the soft gray early morning light came through the bathroom window, the trees unmoving. It would be another eighteen minutes till the alarm radio would switch on. He turned and looked at her sleeping soundly, one leg out of the covers, Victoria Secret pattern against the cotton sheet, short blond hair on the pillow; he didn't want to bother her. Two feet on the floor he put on his glasses, his watch and got ready to stand up. He would switch off the alarm then start his routine for the proper clothes, lowering his scull onto the car top, remembering the oars, driving to the river. He savored these routines and found comfort in their fluid order and measured sense of achievement.

At the river he found others, but this morning ignored them and continued changing shoes, finding the gloves, water bottle and cap; locking the car, moving the oars to the low dock then settling the boat into the water. It was eighteen feet long and 21 inches wide, needlelike with a sliding seat and outriggers that held the nine foot oars now placed at 90 degrees to the hull. He had seen it in a magazine, talked with the designer, loved the lines of it and passion bought it never having rowed before. An Aquarian, his whole life he had found peace and alignment on the water. Now he paused to look up at the virgin river, empty now, black mirror smooth, the gentle tide running south to north, with its green treed sides and topped by the cool gray sky. A soft, light haze floated over the surface. He was ready to begin.

Stepping precisely in the center of the scull, one hand holding the overlapping oar grips he eased onto the sliding seat, placed his feet in the stretcher, tightened the foot straps and pushed lightly away from the dock. The scull moved slowly sideways with a smooth momentum until the long oars were clear and flat on the water in the most stable position. A quick look over his shoulder showed a clear path down the river to the bridge a mile away. Balance set he pushed the oars away straight armed, compressed his knees, sliding the seat aft, then rotated the blades to vertical and dropped them in the water, pushing with his legs then pulling with his back then his arms, releasing the blades from the water rotating them and moving the handles back for the second stroke. The scull slow at the start, gathered speed and slid smoothly over the water leaving a thin line on the water framed by pairs of black swirls where the oars had taken their bite.

He concentrated on balance, the straightness of the wake, the angle of the blades, the resistance of the water, movement of the scull on the water. A surge ahead then a gilide, then the next surge. All his senses were focused. He could feel the pressure on the bottom of his feet with each stroke, the muscles of his legs times to give power, his hips moving on the sliding seat, his back setting the right angle, his arms pulling, releasing, pushing, his head held even for balance. The river matched his rhythm, supporting, parting, soothing, cool in partnership. Surge, glide, surge, relax; he added a little pace, his heart rhythm responding, sweat starting, lungs filling, and stronger body sensations. It went on this way with all other thought banished, a mind and body cleansing, the effort gently pushing the body to its best, a peak of ecstasy in harmony with the river, the flow of the tides, the sky.

Then the shadow of the bridge swept over him and he became again aware of the surroundings; the bridge, houses, boats moored, the train station, pulled back into the moment. Reaching for his water bottle he drank the cool water and slowly took it all in. A train ran down the track on the far side of the river, others were rowing a tug came pulling a barge bound for Albany, commuters cars hustled across the bridge, a few people walked in the park near the city. Senses sharpened, he was more aware as he turned and rowed slowly back by the eastern shore past industry, feeder streams, trees and shrubs slipping over the banks, marinas, shallows. There seemed to be space and time to enfold it all. More time to enjoy the movement of the scull, the growing movements of the river and wind, the warmth of the early morning sun, the rich colors.

An hour later, he brought the scull gently to the dock and stepped back into the routine. Oars and boat to the car, gloves off, shoes changed, drive home, hang the scull in the garage. When he stepped into the house she was having breakfast and asked, "How was your row?"

"It was a beautiful morning on the river," he said.

Then he opened the cupboard and started his breakfast routine.

Reprinted with permission by Bob Auchincloss Sept 2005

tags: rowing, boat, rowing shell, sculling