Team Oarsome South Africa

Saturday, August 16, 2014

Again WHAT AN EXPERIENCE

Well it's all over and although I will probably not do it again, what an incredible experience. It's not just the rowing, the cycling, the scenery, the food, etc. for me it's the dynamics of the team. The team going from identifying functions, cooperation then through exhaustion to the fight for success. Well done team SA you were all brilliant.

Friday, August 15, 2014

Finish photo!

Thursday, August 14, 2014

13 August

Once again a very early start- a bus ride to the start and a scramble for bikes and boats. Rained during the night so scoop water out with plastic cups. Contrary to usual conditions it is cold with a chilly wind. In the morning Wendy and Sue cycled and from all accounts it was a Rally in itself - marsh lands and slips and falls. Thank goodness Sue is an adventure racer and Wendy practiced on the bike. They looked like mud packs at the end of the morning.

The race begins and we lying about 5th or 4th overall. The morning route is a rather tough leg with hair pin bends to make it interesting. Also very narrow bridges to challenge whoever is coxing. Team Oarsome South Africa row really well and we take 4th place overall!!! In chatting to the German crew ( young and strong), they tell us they thought the organizers and timers had made mistakes as our boat is going so fast and we placed so high up despite us being an "old" crew. Has to laugh! We currently beating them which defies logic. But still two days to go - let's see who does better - the tortoise or the hare?

In the afternoon not a timed section - thank goodness - so all the girls in the crew with one honorary male "lady" rower and one male "lady" coxswain. The male "ladies" swooped out at lockes and earned the names of Antoinette, Simone and Maggie. .. ( was a reasonably tough row - You carry around a strapping lad as a coxswain). But a very comfortable technically proficient row. Tim was on the bike and designated as the photographer.

An element that is critical for racing the Canal Di Midi is that everyone must know their job. Wendy manages the boat trolley like a champ - I am astounded she hasn't had her head or body parts beaten to a pulp. Simon and Ant and Tim heave the boat out of the water and launch the boat down cliffs at times. Brut strength??? Seriously they have it down pat. Whoever cycles holds the boat steady while the crew alights into and out of the boat with shipped oars. A feat in itself especially where you launching from Cliffs. Sue has managed bikes and helps with the trolley or the rope or holding the boat steady. Me - I am the rope girl - still having nightmares about the blasted rope. So far crew roles have worked like clock work. But as crew gets tireder - let's see.

We got to finish early and treated ourselves to coke and beer at a cafe. At a Harbour no less. Amazing sites.

Then off to our humble abode - a castle no less - at a reasonable time - 7-30pm??? Shower, wash hair and off to dinner at 8-45pm. The French never sleep it appears. Food included stuffed chicken, potato with cheese and made into a soft scone and beige coloured beans. Stunning as usual! We had some cheese and the team was too tired to wait for desert and ambled off to bed.

Leslie fortunately took the day off to tour the castle and experience its magic. With the muddy cycle paths you needed to be an accomplished mountain bike rider..

So all in all - another amazing day. So many sights- so much to do and see and such amazing people. We will have friends all over the world!

Till next time!

Judy Van Es

12 August - Carcasonne

Today we left before the birds woke up - a trip by bus - out the citadel - past sunflower fields ( the translation is flowers that turn to the sun in French - from our linguist Tony)

Then a tough day of racing - and 007 ( remember the secret weapon) - with the boys agree to run - NB - run the boat between short ( ha ha) distances between lockes. Me - at this stage I am coxing so have to keep up. Eventually Ant and his dad are running ( not jogging) - I am hanging on the rope and cannot speak. The rest of the crew swops bicycles and running intermittently - me I hang on the blasted rope for dear life. Eventually Tim joins me and sees my red face and serious look of distress - takes my hand and we run even faster. Savior - partial?? still damn running - not my forte- My calves are still burning.

Wendy manages to direct the crew in and manage the boat carriage like she was borne to it. She makes it look easy... ha ha.. Sue is cycling with a bit of running. The boys team run, cycle, race the boat- lift the boat- launch the boat from Cliffs ( real cliffs ) at times.

Leslie has cycled a full two days ( apart from when she graciously handed over her bike to help the crew who gave up on running- remember not jogging - you have the 007 infusion - amazing!!!). Then she walked - a Long Walk to Freedom.

Remember one of the earlier blogs - she will be the heir to a medal! Her challenge is to cycle the entire canal Di midi. Think she will make it but two days has been tough!!!

Tiny as usual Tony ensured we had the best lunch table and the right table at the beer half way stop. Of course he also was our interpreter - par excellence

Then the afternoon was the girls team, Sue, Wendy and me... with some honorary girl members. - namely Mark as coxswain, and Simon and Ant filling in at bow! Light weight - no chance??? But lifting boat, trolley and then power house - oh yeah! Row by girls and honorary girls was Oarsome. Short, technically reasonable and honorary girls provided power. Mark found a new appreciation for coxing - especially with wire - steering mechanism - honestly feels like barbed wire after some time) to steer crew to victory. Coxing is not for the faint hearted. Entire crew is still amazing and pleasant - day two done??? Surprising??? All these A type personalities and still a team.

At the finish a round of applause ( okay- every crew got one but we did not know it then - felt like celebrities....).

Dinner fantastic - potatoes ( baby ones ) - wow. They know how to cook. Even with the intrepid run and the girls decision ( not me) to walk 100kms ( yes an exaggeration but you do it and you will feel like you achieved the long walk to freedom too). Probably only about 7-8kms with a boat???? Nuts!!!

Now we go to bed, still no real time to explore... Too tired. Tomorrow the girls will be princesses - even if for 5 minutes. Have to fully enjoy a castle and citadel!!!! But first the race??? Oh dear. We lying 4th or 5th or maybe even 3rd- you try read French with scullers in between. Can now count to 10 in French - but they speak so quickly - let's see.

Till next time!

Judy Van Es

11 August Evening

Arrive at Carcassonne - wow - double wow!!! A real citadel with castle features - If my hair was not such a mess ( you run hanging on a boat - no rope) - I would think I was a princess. Well all the other girls looked like princesses- with princes in tow. The Oarsome SA team had arrived.

Then booking in - getting organized ( some had time for a quick shower - others just changed clothes - ) and off to dinner. Yes - about 9pm. And first course arrives.

Want to explore the citadel / castle but too tired. Another scrumptious meal... Salad, chicken and pasta, beans - then amazing cheese and apple tart ( must be a glut of apples in region as had the same for lunch - but no complaints - amazing)... Finish up late with a word from organizers - breakfast at 6am - do they think this is a bootcamp???

So off to rooms - really lovely - to unpack and get kit ready... Too tired... So leave a mess in my trail to bathroom- but Sue will not notice. She is in lullaby land.

Another oarsome day... Frankly think We have experienced so much we will not remember it all.

NB - team still not too sarcastic yet... Surprised. ??? Think they all had great parents who taught them to be polite! What an Oarsome Team Oarsome South Africa clan.

Wendy and Tim leading the motley bunch - directing when and where to get in water and out. This is part of real magic-

Leslie explains she has cycled all the route and the crew has had her husband all day - so this evening is theirs. Think they will be dead to the world when their heads hit the pillow.

That's it for now

Till next time ....

Judy Van Es

11 August - Toulouse

So the race begins.

22.8 Km's in the morning and then 21.8' Km's in the afternoon.

A total of 10 locks to carry your boat around.

Team Oarsome South Africa starts near the back and relatively quickly move near to the front of the race.

The crew also very quickly learn the art of getting the boat out of the water and putting it back in reasonably quickly. Each person allocated a job which they do with aplomb. The lifting of the boat is sometimes done on 45 degree and 70 degree banks - where half the crew pull themselves up the bank hanging on grass and other crew members. Thank goodness we have some strong men in the crew - this is not for the faint hearted.

One stretch of water between lovkes is only one a half Km's long. So the decision is to run the boat. Eventually the 007 secret weapon is running the boat along by himself with me literally hanging in the rope ( remember this was my job to never let the blasted rope go) - so poor Ant pulled and run the boat with the extra weight of me just barely holding on - while the rest of the crew fell behind debating who got to ride what bike for how long??? Eventually Mark came cycling to the rescue, dropped the bikes and took on the role of hanging on the rope. ( Finally showing his true colours of being a gentleman). Eventually we reached a reasonable bank and the young Ant almost single handedly launched the boat. The rest of us were huffing and puffing and wide eyed - kinda hoping it was your turn to cycle.

Everyone had a turn in the boat - even Sue who is still fighting that dreaded flu.

Lunch was Oarsome with a duck salad, paella and then apple tart as the desert. Naturally red wine was flowing freely together with water.

Finally in buses on our way to Carcassonne - a medieval citadel - where we will will stay for the next four nights. Cannot wait to explore - but chances are will be in bed early - as was a fairly hard day.

Tomorrow we will know if we managed to get placed in first 10 crews - here's hoping???? A field of approximately 50 quads and a number of sculls. Some of the other teams are all men and very big and strong??? Oh boy...

So far - team all getting on well with very few sarcastic comments - and we have completed day one - only 4 days to go - watch this space.

The support club of Leslie and Tony were amazing. Leslie cycled the entire route picking up crew belongings on the way and Tony ensured we could communicate with the international teams - being a top linguist and very well known and respected.

Fantastic day again....

Till next time...

Judy Van Es