Day one in Munich

This morning we headed to the Regatta Centre to go for our first row in the boat we leased from the Italian Adaptive program. It was a beautiful morning, not too cool and very sunny. When we arrived at the centre there were a number of people there, some with boats on the water and a lot of people putting boats together and setting them up. Both the 8 boats from Australia, men and women were there as well.


In no time at all we out on the water. It was a bit messy for about the first 500m as it was the first time we had all been in this particular boat and it took a short while to get used to it. There were a few problems as well that we would have to fix before the next row. This row was certainly needed to see if the boat was set up the right way. Unfortunately the rigging was quite high for all of us and we were missing a lot of water. I also had to move my foot plate angle because I wasn't able to get a really good push as my feet were too flat. But it was good to get out on the water.

Speaking of the water, what amazing water they have here. It is so clear it is unbelievable. We were told that the water is treated and this is obviously why it is so clear. I even saw a fish that was about 1/2 a metre in length!

On our way back down the course we did a few drills to assist with the balance of the boat and then did a couple of pushes for 20 strokes, picking up the pressure but not the stroke rate. The second piece we did felt absolutely fantastic. After getting the boat back to the landing we started lowering the rigging and moving not only my foot plate but also Brandie's and Pete's. We were also fortunate enough to be able to put some speakers in the boat and Marty the cox of the Australian men's 8 gave us some cabling to hook the speakers up, so that we would have a coxbox in the afternoon.

We had a session in the afternoon and after making the adjustments in the morning, the boat felt much better. The second half of the session we worked on picking up the stroke rate to 36 within a piece. That went so well, the boat felt like it was running really well. Towards the end of the session we did two 20 stroke racing starts. The second one was much better than the first. Once done we changed a few more things on the boat and that was it for the day.

I was able to get in for a massage with the team massage therapist and was lucky enough to have one of the team physio's work on me as well. It certainly does make a difference when you have the staff to assist your recovery.

I think with a couple more days in this boat we will be flying! I am looking forward to seeing what we can do over a few longer pieces.





Australian Boat Shed











Preparing our boat










In the boat



Out for a row