“ The feeling goes on increasing until at last, oh joy! the time comes for getting into the boat. With his faithful oar in his hand, and his feet fixed to the stretcher, a man regains his confidence, and when the word is given he will find that the only effect that the needle has had upon him has been to brace his energies to their highest pitch. The duty of a coach on such an occasion is clear. He must try to keep his men cheerful, and prevent them from brooding over the race that is to come. ”
R. C. Lehmann
Summary
R. C. Lehmann’s Rowing draws readers into the world of collegiate rowing, centering on the intense training, collaboration, and competitive drive of teams from Oxford and Cambridge. Through rich depictions of oars, strokes, and regattas, the work delves into the physical and mental challenges of the sport, underscoring the coxswain’s function and the unity among crew members.
With mentions of Henley and the May term races, Lehmann conveys the heritage and honor of university rowing, emphasizing both the effort and achievements of the athletes. The text weaves together the balance between rigor and enthusiasm, providing a layered depiction of a sport in which every action contributes to shared success.
Quotes from Rowing (R. C. Lehmann)
“ Then, as he swings his body, grips the water and drives his swirling oar-blade through, he will feel that every ounce of strength he puts forth has its direct and appreciable influence upon the pace of the boat. Not for him then will it be to envy the bird in its flight, as, with all his muscles braced, his lungs clear, and his heart beating soundly, he helps to make his craft move like a thing of life over the water. ”
“ Nickalls is equally at home at No. 5 in an Eight; and as stroke-oar of a Four or pair—a position from which he invariably steers the boat—he is to my mind unapproachable. He would not himself assert that he was a model of elegance, but for power and endurance, and for the knack of infusing these qualities into the rest of the crew, no man has ever, in my experience, surpassed, and very few indeed have equalled, him. ”
