Unscheduled instantaneous swimming lesson…huge invisible log
There I was on the Schuylkill, trainer single, just trying to learn the ropes of sculling. It’s 8am and I’m going along at a medium pace. It’s a beautiful sunny day with low wind and I’ve gone about 5 miles. Two 4s and a launch pass on my starboard; I look over my shoulder to check I’m steering toward the correct arch in the upcoming bridge. I take another stroke and tap down at the finish, and all of a sudden, bam! the boat shudders and stops. But inertia being what it is, I don’t stop - I go rocketing off the bow and into the water.
A couple coaches from La Salle were kind enough to check on me and talk me back into the boat. Boat looks fine, I’m fine, I finish the row. But…
How am I supposed to avoid a huge invisible log right under the water? Because I’m new to sculling I assume that with more practice, I won’t fall off if I hit an unseen object. But I’d really rather not hit it at all.
Is this just a lack of experience? Any advice? Has someone been dumping landscaping waste in the Schuylkill again?