Day 5 – January 1st
Posted on Sunday, January 1st, 2017Simon Klida
Hometown: Auburn, MI
Major: Athletic Training
I woke up early for practice this morning surprisingly well after having a late new years night. It helps when it’s a warm bright Florida morning. After grabbing some breakfast and coffee I ran with the guys to the boathouse. We started with a nice technical pairs practice where we worked on the the catch and drive sequence. I really focused on the last four inches of the recovery and hitting the “bell note” when placing the blade back and in the water. We then got into eights for a row around the lake where we put all the pieces of the drive together that we worked on in the pairs. After practice I was able to change and have a fast lunch before we left for Cocoa beach. I had a pleasant nap in the van and slept through most of the ride. The beach was beautiful, the ice cream was good, and I had a lot of fun surfing. It was wonderful having an afternoon off and having some fun in the sun. Now it’s time for me to eat a rower sized dinner and get some sleep for more practices tomorrow.
Aiden McCoy
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Major: Exercise Science
Crawled out of bed today with nothing but a banana for breakfast. I hobbled with my team to the boathouse with tight hamstrings and very sore legs, but after the stretch we were all ready to get out on the water. Today was one practice focusing mainly on lateral pressure and rotation through the stroke. We went out in two eights and one man in a single. Our drills included outside arm only, wide grip rowing by six’s, and pointing with our inside hand to the blade through the stroke. after an hour we decided to call it a day. I feel that I really have learned the most in this particular practice. The drills we used really had an impact on how I now think about my stroke.
After practice, we all decided to go to Coca Beach as a team bonding experience. I rented a surfboard and was able to stand up on my first wave! I was in the ocean for at least 2 hours, and after more attempts then I can count I was able to surf. I went to bed today after ordering six pizza’s and laughing at TV shows with some of my best friends. Im happy to say that this week as a whole has made me a better oarsmen, and a better sportsmen in general. The entire day was by far the best day I’ve had this week, I’ve gotten closer to all my team mates and I’m excited to see what the rest of the week has to offer.
Rachel Andrud
Hometown: Milford, MI
Major: Biomedical Science
After a late but fun night in downtown Orlando, the varsity women woke up ready to kick off 2017 with our first morning practice of the year. Everyone woke up right around 7:30 and ran the 1-1/2 mile to the boathouse at 8 for our 8:30 am practice. We stretched as a team before a short chalk talk with Coach B. He reiterated the importance of maintaining posture throughout our stroke along with keeping pressure on the “button” of the oarlock. Both of these things will increase the power and strength of our stroke.
The women were split up into an 8 and a pair, with Cass and Faith (our co-captains) rowing in a pair with the men for the morning practice. I was 7 seat in the 8 and the main focus of the practice was posture and suspension at the catch. We did the Russian drill, back it down drill and bobs at the catch with a short stroke or “kick” after the bob, which increased in number as we went through the drill. We finished off practice with a nice steady state, fighting some choppy water on the way into the dock.
After our morning practice, we all hurried back to the townhouse to make a quick lunch before we headed to Cocoa Beach. We were super excited for fun afternoon spent along the ocean. While at the beach the team split off into smaller groups with some surfing, others playing frisbee, some swimming, and the rest of us walking along the water looking for seashells. We found an awesome ice cream place at the pier close to the beach and enjoyed the sweet treat while listening to a live band and watching other beach goers surf or play volleyball. Too soon we had to leave for Clermont and so we all headed back into the vans at 5 for the hour and half ride home. The women’s team all ate out at a local restaurant named Lilly’s while the men’s team ordered in Chinese food.
Everyone on the team is thankful for the coaches spending their afternoon driving us to and from the beach after spending most of last night with us downtown. In my opinion, GVSU rowing is excited for a new year of rowing and is ready for our championship season coming up soon.