Is anyone else enjoying open water rowing.
Cycling had been my go to when the ocean is flat but having had many friends injured in cycling accidents I'm having second thoughts about road cycling.
Accepting an opportunity to learn how to row a scull.
Then came early mornings with only the sound of the flowing boat and the catch of the oar.
I think this sport may become as popular, the exercise is good, boats are light to carry and the cost is less than a fancy bicycle.
Open water sculls are slightly wider, a little more stable and more suited to rougher conditions.
If anyone offers give it ago.

picture of your kit please...
R the blades more like picks?
About to get back in for a crack at rowing after looong lay-off
cheers
AP

Rowing doesn't sound like much fun too much rowing involved

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I think it has a long way to go to compete with cycling in popularity. The thing with cycling is that you can do it almost anywhere. What other low impact sport can you do with that much flexibility. I cycle, but I would like to do SUP for a fitness/core workout sport... but I would have to travel 30 minutes each way to do it but I can ride out my garage! When I travel for work, I bring my bike and can go exploring new places from my hotel room. It is just such a convenient sport. Of course running is more convenient... but not so good for the joints in the legs!!

One of the school dads has a rowing scull, he doesn't have far to get to beach on his trolley.
Predominantly flattish water but can handle some chop.
Sorry don't know the make or model.

I'm a mountain biker and hate riding on road. Apart from driving to trails I can ride 1km to a park go exercise. Some drivers hate cyclists and while the skinny tyres and curly handlebars aren't my thing I give plenty space and aware.
My brother and nephew are roadies and been in few scraps.

Good luck

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515 said..
One of the school dads has a rowing scull, he doesn't have far to get to beach on his trolley.
Predominantly flattish water but can handle some chop.
Sorry don't know the make or model.

I'm a mountain biker and hate riding on road. Apart from driving to trails I can ride 1km to a park go exercise. Some drivers hate cyclists and while the skinny tyres and curly handlebars aren't my thing I give plenty space and aware.
My brother and nephew are roadies and been in few scraps.

Good luck

There is no doubt riding on the road has risks. I think a lot of that is where you ride on the road. I am in Sydney and my area is OK, but I do have road rage towards me from time to time. Thankfully over many years of daily commuting, I have avoided a crash or injury due to this, but there have been some close calls. To be honest, the drivers that are aggressive towards cyclists are stressful, but not as dangerous as those that seem to ignore we are there. Most of my close calls have been drivers turning in/out of side streets in quiet areas without seeing me, or seeing me and not considering they will effect me by turning left around the front of me etc. I have been buzzed by angry drivers, but they are more trying to scare than actually injure you so although stressful, they are unlikely to hit you. I have had to take evasive action from ignorant drivers many times. I see there are road rage incidents in the press of drivers intentionally hit cyclists... I am lucky to have not encountered that.

I am not sure if I consider the risk of drowning from windsurfing (knocked out, hit by jetski/boat etc.) to be higher risk or riding on the road. Certainly my exposure is higher for cycling as I can't windsurf to work!!

I do have opportunity to ride MTB off road... but riding to work requires road riding (with some short cuts through parks etc.)

I made a 17ft plywood rowing dory, from plans, and used to exercise on the river with it when the kids were smal ( I'd perch one in each end !).
Note that there are lots of dory plan out there but this was a narrow profile one specifically for rowing.
It was really easy and cheap to build and suprisingly fast to row
I made a long bench seat to slide on but others have fitted drop in rowing sliding seats.
The dory is obviously slower than a scull but has more freeboard and is more stable so can handle choppy conditions.
I fitted a set of wheels to the small tomb stone transom and could move it around upside down easily, loading on the car was achieved by lifting up one end, resting it on the roof rack then sliding it up.

I've cycled commute and training between surf and wind.
felt safer on Sydney roads than Brisbane.
rowing not worth it if the river or bay not easily accessed.
building a boat would be rewarding.
Great to hear a few are enjoying the glide and peace of dawn rowing.