Learing to row a gondola with grace is never an easy task. I've been rowing 10 years or so and have been teaching others for about 8. In this time I have began training close to 60 guys and gals out there with about 20-25 actually becoming employed as gondoliers (only guessing here). 
There is something that says to some people their first day on the water that this is not for them. It just doesn't work as easy for them...they believe they must be defective. Well really nothing is wrong with them, it takes a combination of practice and experience, and even after years of rowing I still learn something new quite often.
Today was one of those days...the weather was perfect for a Gondola ride. Sunny, not much of a breeze and crystal blue skies above with just a few streaks of clouds. A couple called and asked about the rides and said they were on there way. About 35 minutes later I was ready for them as they arrived. They seemed like nice people, it was the gentlemen's birthday. After they were seated I began telling them about the gondola as I untied from the dock. We shoved off and I thought, well...this is such a beautiful day and so warm, I should stay cool and kick my shoes off and row barefooted (it can get toasty quick with a shirt tucked into black pants while your rowing). The details are a little faded for the next 5-10 seconds or so...as I kicked off the second shoe there was an odd moment...I had no balance. I, let me repeat that, I was going to fall in. And did! This was the first time...yep a first for everything. I've always knocked on wood when customers have asked if I had ever...now I have a story to tell of my own.
Before I could only tell of others and there unfortunate incidents. I believe I lacked style on my plunge into the water, I have seen some that could have definitely been a hit on youtube or a funniest home video competition.
The couple on board laughed hysterically and took a couple of pictures. I would have too, so no harm done, they did ask if I was o.k. before the laughter took over and if they email them to me I'll post'em here.
Stay Dry!
There is something that says to some people their first day on the water that this is not for them. It just doesn't work as easy for them...they believe they must be defective. Well really nothing is wrong with them, it takes a combination of practice and experience, and even after years of rowing I still learn something new quite often.Today was one of those days...the weather was perfect for a Gondola ride. Sunny, not much of a breeze and crystal blue skies above with just a few streaks of clouds. A couple called and asked about the rides and said they were on there way. About 35 minutes later I was ready for them as they arrived. They seemed like nice people, it was the gentlemen's birthday. After they were seated I began telling them about the gondola as I untied from the dock. We shoved off and I thought, well...this is such a beautiful day and so warm, I should stay cool and kick my shoes off and row barefooted (it can get toasty quick with a shirt tucked into black pants while your rowing). The details are a little faded for the next 5-10 seconds or so...as I kicked off the second shoe there was an odd moment...I had no balance. I, let me repeat that, I was going to fall in. And did! This was the first time...yep a first for everything. I've always knocked on wood when customers have asked if I had ever...now I have a story to tell of my own.
Before I could only tell of others and there unfortunate incidents. I believe I lacked style on my plunge into the water, I have seen some that could have definitely been a hit on youtube or a funniest home video competition.
The couple on board laughed hysterically and took a couple of pictures. I would have too, so no harm done, they did ask if I was o.k. before the laughter took over and if they email them to me I'll post'em here.Stay Dry!
1 comment:
Aha. You found the comments. Nice.
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