We can also row...

Today’s rowing session saw a marked improvement in the performance of the fours team under the expert guidance of the ‘Captain’ who does not settle for less than perfection. The fours’ teams both A and B was coached/coxed by veterans who finally gave me hope that our fours team too stand a chance. Today is probably the first day of synchronized rowing. The women’s pairs are also doing really well. The pair that was practicing today is kind of settled in. They both row well as a team which means the team allocation has been correct. I guess this improvement is partly because of the formation of proper teams and the responsibility that goes with it. Still thanks to Kribs and the coaches for the foresight to project who will fit into which slot and how well they will perform. The sculls are doing their bit in practice.
Now getting down to the lighter part of the session, Ajay and DJ still hog the limelight. DJ by his unimaginable ability to get hurt in the most unlikely places and Ajay is the favourite just for the heck of it. The rest contribute to the fun by being their nutty selves and by their penchant for putting their foot right and proper in their mouths.
An overall nice day though I m yet to learn to cox. As of now I m happy with the veteran coxes as they are good for the team’s improvement so I ll wait. The weekend is around which means the attendance will be poor on those two days – I m hoping that you guys prove me wrong. It’s a nice time to practice so “ GET UR SORRY ARSES DOWN AT THE BOAT CLUB AT 0600 ON BOTH DAYS”.

Finally all the goofing around is over and everyone is finally taking this rowing business seriously. The teams are in place, the coaches pushing us to the limits of our pathetic bodies abilities. I seriously hope by the end of 40 days, we d be fighting fit even though we limp and crib now after the workouts, drifting through a working day- dead on our feet. The circuits are a fave among the participants (stretching produces similar responses) and produce the most enthusiastic responses and the most creative excuses. The erg is another story altogether, another contraption created with the specific purpose of draining what remaining energy is left.
These things said, it is encouraging to see some of the participants making serious headway. There have been a couple of cases of immersion baptism but they hav not been a deterrent factor. The sculls, double sculls and the pairs are doing real good and as usual in the fours the co-ordiantion is yet to set in. The cox is still learning to steer the boat and give the commands - hopefully she will get the hang of it at least by the end of the regatta ;-).
We have excellent coaches, a very good opportunity to prove ourselves and nice breakfast too. All we need is the animal drive to succeed even when the odds are against us. Psyche yourself and beleive that you are the best and you are going to win (do the ground work too). 'We will lift the cup this year!!!'

Time to gear up!

The turnout was pretty good at the club yesterday and today. Hmmm....wonder if yesterday's media coverage had anything to do with it. :)

Looks like we'll have to do some serious practice from now on. The other teams are catching up fast. One of the companies have even held an internal race. So let's give them some competition, shall we?!!

Today, we had the team selection meeting. Teams have been finalised until further notice from Coach Tamizh. He will be watching us closely for the next two weeks before freezing in on the final groups.

There was an excruciating round of circuits today. We were made to do upto 50 counts of squats and jump squats. Though the counts reduced for the subsequent push-ups and sit-ups, it was just as tiring. But as always, we had our fun too. And then, of course, there's always the lime juices and breakfast to look forward to. :)

So people, in less than 40 days, we have a trophy to win and a championship to retain! Starting tomorrow, let's all make a concentrated effort towards it. Which would automatically translate to no more bunking or lazing around. Let's all kick some serious boat!

Bakraaa!!

It's been quite a few days since my last post. For one thing, I was a little caught up at work with a deadline on friday. I had also gone home for the weekend and got back just today morning. There's also another reason which i dont really wanna share, but what the heck, i might as well.

Those of you who visited this blog recently would have found my previous post edited and re-edited and might be wondering what's going on. Wel, at least those of you who already do not know whats going on.

But since what happened is hardly something for me to be proud of, considering that i was made a complete bakra, i'll be as brief as brief can get. So i'll just say that a few wonderful people pulled this prank on me which i totally fell for - hook, line and sinker! And i went ahead and edited the post as i felt it was necessary in those circumstances only to find out minutes later that i was being taken for a ride, royally!

Having volunteered for the blog, i felt i owed an explanation for my inconsistent behaviour. Then again, i doubt any of you would have done much different had you also been threatened to be thrown into the water during rowing practice! That too, given the state of the water at the boat club, it's hardly an exciting thought!

Wel, what can i say? I have always been blessed with great friends who love having fun at my expense! And I figure it's gonna be no different here in sify. Amen to that! :)

Full Swing!!

Though it's with great apprehension that I volunteered for the sify rowing blog, it feels absolutely great to write about something that I really enjoy.

Wel, the rowing season is on and practice for the regatta is going on in full swing at the boat club. Though I've seen around close to 35 names in the rowing list, I must say the turnout at the club is much less. Nevertheless, the numbers are improving. So all of those who are staying behind, gear up!! You guys are missing out on all the fun!! :)

Today, we went on the Women's Fours and let's just say that we could do with a hell of a lot of improvement (and how!) It felt as though all four of us wanted to go in four different directions! When Kribs asked us how the outing went as we got out of the boat, we answered in sheepish smiles. Even Ravi, who was our cox and is always brimming with words of encouragement, was out of words to describe our unbelievable performance! :/

And as promised by Kribs yesterday, Sudhakar and Ravi are seeing to it that we are all breaking our backs like there's no tomorrow. Yes people, the circuits have begun. And a few of us are already limping from catches in muscles we never even knew existed hitherto! :)

The bananas and glucose meant for everyone after the stretches, somehow seemed to go mostly into Ajay's stomach. Looks like Aditi will have to start bringing an extra dozen just for him! We've also nicknamed him Bluto (Popeye's rival in Popeye the Sailor) as we feel that the resembalnce is striking! :D

Best regatta ever

hey guys,you will be happy to hear that sify is helping steer and manage this year's regatta!lets make this the best regatta ever!for starter's a few decisions have been taken to ensure that practice and the finals are better managed than in the past.For example,team members can take part in two events each-not more.this means each person can give of her/his best without being overly taxed and fatigued.this also means we better recruit stalwarts for all events-guys & gals!the good news is that we can field an A,B and C team in each event-if we get that many people.i think that we should field an A and B in each,and do our damndest to make them unassailable!thats not to say if we do get more rowers we will decline-the more the merrier.here's what we all need to do:priority number one:recruit likely rowers.people who are disciplined,committed and sturdy.people who can go the distance.two;as kribs has been suggesting,ensure that we work with each other to enable regular attendance for practice sessions-inlcuding picking up people who may not have transport.remember team work,works!

It can be the rowing team's own five year award!

Wanted:digital pics of practice sessions. new recruits to fill positions still open.kribs need to meet on this.

Five years seems significant for Sify!

Kribs,thats true.A five year record of wins is really something to write home about.especially when you consider that we are only seven years old a s a company!Guys,we've got to ensure we're home and dry with the championship again this year.remember that everyone else will be gunning for us just like we gunned for O&M in the initial years.All the more reason to ensure we have;1)A committed team deployed across all races2) Practice like mad with the eye of the tiger in everyone3)Have the right strategy in place.We have the experience, the heart and the people.So there's no reason why we can't do it!