Carylon Buck will be giving the presentation.

Costas Ciungan shared his love of rowing with the club. His grandfather was a competitive rower when the boats were wood and much more like rowboats than the modern racing boats. Some joys of rowing are camaraderie, being outdoors on the water, and flying over the water when the team synchronizes perfectly.

 

Rowing as a sport started in England in the 17th century. Initially, the rowers sat on solid seats and moved their backs and arms back and forth with the oars. The oars were initially square at the end. Oars have evolved through mason oars (slanted ends), and now to cleaver oars which extend lower into the water. An Englishman also invented the moving seats which allow the rower to use their entire body weight, pushing with their legs.

 

Modern boats or shells hold from one to eight rowers. The rowing shoes are permanently attached to the shell. It is proper etiquette to wear appropriate socks while rowing! Rowers can continue the sport well into their senior years. Rowing is easier on joints than other sports.

 

Costas is currently certified as a rowing coach and would like to continue his certification to judge races. Competitive rowers will practice 6 days a week for 2-3 hours a day. Recreational rowers usually practice 2-3 times a week. In Holland there is the 42° N Rowing Club and nearby is the Grand Rapids Rowing Association.