Early Morning Row on a Maine Lake

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Early Morning Row on a Maine Lake

Early Morning Row on a Maine Lake

Megunticook Lake, Camden, Maine: Home of the Megunticook Regatta

by Leigh Macmillen Hayes
When I was a youngster, Dad purchased a nine-foot fixed-seat rowboat that with a wooden mast, centerboard and rudder, transformed into a sailboat.

 

 

 

 

 


Over the years I spent many happy hours rowing in that little dingy, sometimes even fishing. If I was alone I developed my own trawling ability. I’d lean my fishing rod against the stern, with the reel close to my feet. After baiting the hook, I’d position the line between my big and second toe. When the line jiggled between my toes, I’d pause from rowing and reel in a fish.
We all learned to sail in the dingy. Eventually, Dad purchased several other larger sailboats and acquired bigger motor boats, but the rowboat remained a favorite. And rowing it was always a pleasure. There’s something soothing about that rhythmic action.
So . . . after learning about the Maine Rowing Association, my interest was piqued. One difference—this group rowed sleek rowing shells with sliding seats. And rather than the shell of the boat rising above their seats, they sat precariously perched above narrow boats. Their oars were called sculls and were much longer than the oars I’d grown up using. Plus, they followed a pattern of oars and body motion working together that needed to be strongly adhered to.
I found it all curious and was eager to try. A friend gave me several lessons. I have to admit it took some getting used to—especially turning the wrists and bringing the sculls back above the water before moving my body back, bending my knees and dipping the sculls to try again. If they happened to dip in the water in a wrong move called “catching a crab” as I was trying to pull them back above the water, it always felt like the boat would tip over.
Catching crabs happens. Today, I’m not a speed rower or even a pretty rower but I love rowing. Before an early morning cup of coffee and breakfast on the porch, I don my bathing suit and shorts, grab my wooden sculls and life jacket and set my boat up. Over the years I’ve figured out a system to flop the shell over, lower it partially into the water, install the outrigger with a wooden seat and brass fittings and then launch it.
It’s delightful to get lost in rhythmical rowing. Knees bent to chest with arms extended fluidly transform to bent elbows with wrists and oars at my stomach as I extend my knees. Back and forth, back and forth, I glide across flat or nearly flat water.
Early morning is the best time, before the rising sun changes the water from flat to waves. And before most other boaters zoom about. Oh, there are often fishermen, but except for a few racing to a destination, they are also enjoying the calm water.
Whenever I row, my thoughts often return to Dad and the old boat and how much he would have enjoyed an early morning row on a lake in Maine.
To purchase lakefront property for sale on Megunticook Lake in Camden, click on the green box above.
To learn more about Megunticook Lake and the Mid-Coast Region of Maine, check out the blog links below.
Megunticook Lake in Camden and Lincolnville, Maine: Gem for Lakefront Property Owners
The Mid-Coast Region of Maine

 

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