5 Life Lessons from 12 months of rowing on the Po
Written by: Wenlin Tan, technical info reviewed by Emanuele Giacosa (in italian)
Welcome back to Part II of this journey. Now having explored elements of rowing as an individual in Part I, in the second part we will now dive into what it means to row with others, and to co-create not just with other people but with the source of life, the Divine itself. Because no man is an island and we coexist with others in this world.
Before that, a little update – on 8th July 2024 after rowing in a boat of 4, I discovered I could easily carry not just 6 oars, but an astounding 8 oars, with my non-dominant left shoulder and hand! This is all thanks to Bruno, an experienced instructor and soci who shared the secret with me – find the midpoint and carry the oars slightly closer to the blade side, because the blades are heavier… What a revelation!
💡 Working with Equipment:
6. To save your energy, learn to follow the chain (order) of Life
Just as in life, in rowing, order and timing is everything. Knowing the right order of things and the precise moment to take the next stroke will maximize your power, distance covered while reducing your effort and likelihood of fatigue.
Whether you are rowing on the rowing machine or on the water, like the four times of the day and four seasons within a year that follow each other sequentially, there is a chain of four movements to be executed in a smooth, seamless order:
From the Recovery to the Catch: Arms, finally the legs
Photo taken by Wenlin of Coach Emanuele Giacosa
From the Catch to Finish: Legs finally the arms
Photo taken by Wenlin of Coach Emanuele Giacosa
When you are rowing on the machine, there is a chain that moves when you pull on the handle bars. In the drive phase as you push through your legs and then pull through your chest and your arms the chain elongates, and in recovery when you straighten your arms, lean your chest forward, then bend your knees and slide forward, the chain retracts back.
When rowing, beginners commonly mix up the order, bending the elbows during the drive phase too early:
Common mistake: Beginners often “break” their arms too early in the push phase instead of keeping them straight.
Image from video ‘3 Common Rowing Mistakes’ (In Italian), made by me and Coach Emanuele Giacosa
Just as in rowing, in life, there is an order when things are done. To bake a cake, you have to first prepare and measure the ingredients. Perhaps the flour has to be sifted first, and you have to separate the egg yolks from the whites and beat them before adding them to the flour, and then the baking powder, before putting it in the order. If you mix up the order, the cake won’t rise, or it might taste weird.
Some helpful questions to ask yourself are:
- For this project / thing I am working on, what are the steps I need to take?
- What is the right order of these steps?
- Have I skipped or missed any steps, or taken them in the wrong order?
7. To grow fast, level up before you are fully ready
In part 1 of this article we’ve already explored in #2 how timing is important. If you rush and take the next stroke prematurely, you waste energy and time because your stroke is in opposition against the boat, which is still moving from your last stroke. But if you do the opposite and wait too long to take the next stroke when the boat has already become completely still, the inertia has become high and it takes you more effort to move the boat.
As a hobbyist film photographer in my 20s, I learnt about the power of timing through Magnum photographer Henri Cartier Bresson, who coined ‘the Decisive Moment’, the ephemeral moment, when all elements come together perfectly to create a meaningful image. When you see that moment, you cannot hesitate, you have to press the shutter, otherwise that image, that opportunity, that memory might be lost forever.
Capturing the perfect silhouette of a friend at the decisive moment
Photo by me (Wenlin Tan)
So when should you take the next stroke when rowing? How can you discern the decisive moment? My big A-ha moment came when my instructor Emanuele explained to me why, despite rowing so hard on the rowing machine, my power level wasn’t higher than 140 Watts: I was pausing at the end after the chain retracted, before taking the next stroke.
This is the same with life, the optimum moment to take the next stroke is when the chain has almost fully retracted back, but is still in motion, still in vibration. When you take your next stroke at this time there is less inertia because things are still in motion.
The key lies in sensing when the chain is still in motion
Photo by me of Coach Emanuele Giacosa
So how can we discern the moment when the chain is still in motion? If we go back to the example from photography, Cartier-Bresson’s point is that In the swirl of humanity and nature, all around us, there are occasional fleeting moments where moving objects align naturally in the frame. And capturing it really cannot be accomplished through organized thinking and forced structure— it happens through instinct, of pressing the shutter release at an instant based on intuition.
In the same way, if you ask an experienced rower they will likely tell you that sensing when the boat is sliding underneath you, and knowing the moment right before the boat comes to a stop to take the next stroke comes from developing a sensitivity to the water, which typically comes from years of rowing practice.
The right moment to attempt to level up is just before you feel you’re fully ready – before the boat has come to a complete stop, while on the rowing machine the chain is still moving and vibrating, because it is precisely you taking the action (the next stroke) that will propel you to the next level. This might still seem a bit abstract – let me use a more specific and personal example to illustrate this.
Despite having been told by many others across different situations that I am a fast learner, In the first month I joined rowing I struggled to follow the classes and felt like a complete failure due to the lack of a structured program and classes being taught entirely in Italian, including the technical terms for the names for parts of the boats, commands and so on.
Due to the large number of students each instructor has to follow I was given little feedback and felt frustrated that I wasn’t sensing any visible progress. I emailed the secretary to ask if I might take private lessons, preferably in English, to which I was told, private lessons were reserved for members only.
One day in the changing room, someone brought up the topic of becoming a member, and I found out that in our morning group, only three were members despite many of them rowing for years. I thought to myself, well, probably in a year, I’ll feel fully ready to commit to becoming a member. Yes, that’s when I’ll do it.
As I began to write the first part of this reflection at the end of 2023, about half a year after starting to row, it hit me exactly what I needed to do to accelerate my growth: I needed to become a member before I felt I was fully ready. Because it was precisely becoming a member that would give me all the privileges and opportunities to level up even if I didn’t feel quite ‘ready’ yet to commit – I could row more than 3 times a week, I could come whenever I wanted, I could have private lessons with an instructor, and I could get dedicated time in a single scull, all things that I didn’t have access to currently, that would help accelerate my growth to achieve my goal sooner.
realizing my goal of rowing in the single scull confidently
Photo from video taken by Coach Emanuele Giacosa
Despite falling into the river twice, I am now proud to say that, as of 23 June 2024, just a little more than a year since I first started rowing, I have now achieved my original goal: I can confidently carry the single scull, adjust it, get into it, row unsupervised till the passarella, turn and row back the full 7+km, clean it and put the single scull back all by myself. This, all because I took my next stroke before I felt I was fully ready.
In life we’re misled by our education system, which promotes us automatically to the next level once we’ve passed the exams at the current level. In adult life though, what gets you to the next level isn’t doing things at the current level well- It’s precisely doing things at the next level poorly that gets you to become decent and eventually proficient.
To row well in a single, you have to start rowing badly in a single. You may have years of rowing well in a double or quad under your belt, but it still won’t guarantee you’ll row well in the single. To publish your first book, you have to start writing badly first, so you can become a good writer. To get promoted to a manager, demonstrate your capability to supervise and do managerial work now, even before you are a manager, because it is precisely showing that you have managerial potential that gets you promoted. To get a marriage proposal from your partner, you have to start showing your capacity as a spouse now, supporting your other half as if you were already married, because that is precisely what shows your spouse you are ready, not saying or pressuring them.
I started this blog and series of articles with precisely the same mentality and intention – I want to write proficiently in Italian about flow, the philosophy and art of rowing, mindfulness, the five elements and life. I’m not quite at that level yet – half of the was written by me in basic Italian, and the other half in English first, then translated with the help of Claude.ai and then edited but it is precisely this project and this messy, imperfect process that will get me there.
What about you?
What is it you really want to do, but feel you’re not ready to do yet?
Have you been waiting for the moment when you feel fully ready to do it?
8. To master life: Hold the oars lightly
There is a precious piece of advice I received the first time I tried rowing in 2022, that I hold near and dear to my heart to this day: ‘Hang on to the oars without gripping’, said Bruno, my rowing instructor during my first lesson. Bruno emphasized that gripping was counterproductive as it wastes your energy, causes unnecessary tension and limits the range of movement possible. ‘Now, feel the current, and guide the oars along’, Bruno said.
Sounds easy enough, I thought, but in my first row along river Po more than once I unnecessarily tightened my grip on the oars without realizing it, and at times even tried to use force to overcome the current. A few times I had to pause, consciously remind myself to relax, and try again.
We can’t predict unexpected situations, how others may respond and thus we may try to resist or control them especially if they behave or unfold differently from expected. But the more we try to overpower the people or factors outside of our control, the more we tire ourselves out and hurt ourselves. In rowing this is evident particularly amongst novice rowers, who suffer from blisters, a result of gripping the oars too hard.
It is not easy to handle oars (things, people) lightly
Photo from fellow rower Alessandro
What is the solution then? Within the first of the five Yamas (ethical guidelines) in Yoga, is Aparigraha (Sanskrit: अपरिग्रह): no one possesses anything or anyone. Aparigraha is often translated as non-grasping or non-greediness, but a better way of understanding the true meaning of Aparigraha instead is ‘softening your grip’, or in english, ‘holding / taking things lightly’.
What does this look like in rowing? This is a firm yet relaxed hold on the oars, and a rolling movement with your fingers that is called ‘Feathering’ by English Rowers, where you allow the blade the turn.
‘Feathering’ (Finger roll) is a crucial skill necessary for good rowing
Photo from Row Perfect
Another common mistake that beginners, including myself, make in their first years of rowing is dumping the oars deep into the water and then pulling as hard as they can in hopes that it will propel the boat forward. One might think that the deeper the blade is in the water the better it can propel the boat forward, but this is incorrect. The optimum depth is when only the blade part of the oar is submerged in the water.
the ideal depth of the blade is when only the blades but instead the handles are buried in the water
Photo from Randal Foil
Mastering blade depth is another key skill that takes time and awareness, which is what I am working on currently. Even if you’ve never rowed before, you can probably relate to this from your personal experience if you’ve been in a situation where you were ‘in too deep’: You were too invested or attached to a difficult situation or relationship that you couldn’t extract yourself from, and suffered physically, emotionally or mentally.
Perfecting the ideal blade depth takes practice.
Photo from Decent Rowing
The undeniable fact is that our lives are ephemeral, and everything or person we love or desire, including ourselves, will eventually come to pass. If we place the blade in too deep, we get stuck and struggle to move forward. Because of this fear of ‘being in too deep’, some of us choose to detach, disengage or separate themself from emotions, people, or situations to avoid distress, heartbreak or suffering.
But this isn’t really a feasible way of being. In his book, Karma for today’s traveler, monk Phra Bhasakorn Bhavilai uses the element of Water as a metaphor for our experience with the external world. He writes:
Non-action is neither sensible nor possible. In reality, our pools are not so calm. Things are happening. There are waves and currents and we must react. Living in the world always requires action. The idea is to be wise enough to act in a way that reduces or eliminates reactions that bring us suffering.
In Buddhism, this approach is called the middle way, or the middle path of non-attachment, meaning that we should love, but we shouldn’t cling to our desires, such as wanting to be in the company of loved ones, or our aversions, such as the deteriorating health of our loved ones. This is because what causes most of human suffering is our refusal, our inability to accept impermanence.
In the words of therapist Orion Teraban, Life Mastery boils down to one thing: the ability to be in the world but not of the world, cultivating the ability to participate fully in the world while remaining completely non attached from the world on the other hand.
One thing I have learnt to get better at as I get older is not to take myself or things too seriously. It is still my tendency, as well as my strength, that I truly care, but with the passage of time the this simple formula, often attributed to writer Mark Twain or American comedian Carol burnett has changed me:
Comedy = Tragedy + Time
Any suffering or loss eases with time, and with the passage of time we can look back and laugh at what was from a different perspective, having passed through the pain of that suffering or loss.
💡 Rowing with others
9. Life is the people you meet and the magic (or mess) you cocreate together
I initially came to Cerea just to learn from the water and study the flow, and I never expected anything else. I never imagined that I would want to row with someone else. And while rowing alone is still my heart’s calling, I have slowly begun to learn to love the magic of rowing with others, especially the quad, which seems to have a life and a beating heart of its own.
In rowing there are different types of boats – singles, doubles, fours, and eights plus coxswain. With each person added to the boat, they also bring their own personality, strengths and weaknesses. Each seat in the boat has their own role, and for the heart of the boat to beat at a steady and regular pace, each person must understand and embody their role well. In my first 12 months I had more experience with the quad, so, I will give an example with this:
Image originally from SuNews.it
- Strokeman – physically strongest, paces and steers the boat, usually has more experience and is the most experienced
- Heaviest, also physically strong, you have to follow 1 well
- same as 2, you have to follow 2 well
- Bowman – light, alert, smart, has to look behind to avoid collision
In every organization you are part of, or in every relationship you have with someone else, you have a role, with specific responsibilities to fulfill. When everyone clearly knows and fully executes their roles and responsibilities, the boat can glide smoothly through the water; cities can be built and great enterprises can be accomplished. However, when people are unwilling or unwilling to fully fulfill their roles and responsibilities, the boat starts and stops, cities crumble, and enterprises fail.
For example, I remember one Monday night row to this day that I reminisce because the Strokeman had set a smooth, steady rhythm and the Bowman was actually steering the boat with quiet confidence, and the rest of us in seats 2 and 3 were following the Strokeman rhythm well.
I remember another time in the afternoon when I was on a boat of 4, where the Strokeman was arguing with the Bowman and the person in seat 2, because no one wanted to take the Bowman’s place, and the Bowman was reluctantly put in the rowing seat and did not do his job well. Everyone had something to say about how to steer the boat and felt that their point of view was important and correct.
Another precious memory I have is from the morning we bid a temporary farewell to a member of our club Giada, who had to stop rowing to start her treatment for her illness. It started with a simple idea: I wanted to get a get-well-soon card and get everyone to sign on it to wish her well, but I couldn’t find one I liked. I knew she liked the t-shirt I had designed for the morning rowing crew, so I adapted it and made a poster and invited everyone to sign on it, and those who would be willing to contribute for the cost of printing it.
Image edited by me and easel for phone (thanks to Francesco, son of Davide)
The morning of her last row, our instructor Ema put us on the beast of the boat 8+, the best boat to create a sense of togetherness. The sky was clear, not exceedingly warm, without a drop of rain in sight. Giada bought brioche, our friends Ale and Elena brought coffee and tea, I made biscrudi and we had a grand morning row and breakfast send-off for Giada. All the elements were in place, and with the power of cocreation a morning of magic unfolded. It is through rowing, time and time again that I have been reminded that Life is truly the people (your crew), nature and elements you meet and the magic you cocreate with them.
When I think about my personal experience outside of rowing, about co-creating with nature and letting go of the things outside of my control, I always think back to March 2019 right before COVID broke out in the world. I had returned briefly to Singapore to be a bridesmaid at two weddings of my dear friends, and was also teaching barefoot Qigong and Yoga on a breathtaking rooftop grass lawn twice a week.
Magical sunsets we shared together in flow
Photo from Funan DigitalLife Mall and me
Students loved the classes and how beautiful the location was, and it was so successful, word spread my classes expanded and expanded. But the weather in Singapore is unpredictable and after a bout of clear skies and breath-taking sunsets we started to have evenings of unpredictable clouds and rain.
Students started to request refunds and there was considerable disappointment, and I felt angry, helpless and unsure of what to do. I felt I had failed as a teacher to provide the wonderful experience I had conjured up, and at the mercy of nature and her whims.
the heartbreaking sight of cancellations and disappointments to come
But this is a reminder of the nature of life itself, that we are just a very small part of a much bigger picture which is mostly outside of our control. And there is no better person who can speak on this than my friend and fellow morning rower, sailor, scientist and expert Roby CEO of Riviera Sailing Academy and part of the Arctic Team of #fjallraven polar 2024.
Moving outdoors teaches us that we must learn to know and respect the environment that hosts us, and that not we but Nature “always wins”. The current of the river, the storm at sea, the storm in the mountains, sometimes prevent us from achieving our goal, regardless of how trained, equipped, strong we are. Nature teaches us and lays bare our weakness.
Roby’s belief is that we must respect and tune into nature
Immagine da ehabitat.it
Not wanting to recognize it, believing that you can always win, is very dangerous, especially when we move outdoors. Many accidents are caused by the inability to get in tune with the environment that surrounds us, understand it, listen to it and understand our fragility.”
Roby is currently in the midst of starting a blog to share his reflections from his years of experience as an outdoor experience, and you may wish to follow him here.
10. To fully develop, learn when to lead from behind
Usually when rowing on the lake, for example Lake Varese or Lake Candia where the Italian championships will be held, the steering is typically put in position 1, Strokeman, because in the boat the Strokeman sees the buoys better, and it is necessary to follow the buoys for the boat to move straight.
It is not easy to follow the durdanes straight and row straight during the race
Photo from All’interno dei giochi
Instead, where I learned rowing – Cerea, we row on the Po river, and since there are many curves in the Po, it makes more sense to put the steering in position 4 of the Bowman.
When I just started rowing in the quad, I thought that my fortress was to take the seat of Strokeman and to set a steady and strong pace, or to follow in second or third. The more I rowed however, the more fascinated I became with the role of Bowman. Since I would like to row alone, I have to cultivate the ability to know and steer the boat correctly. Also, Bowman is a really thankless role – if done well, it goes unrecognized and only if done terribly does it get all the attention.
Taking on the role of the Bowman requires high-level multitasking: you must follow the rhythm set by others, perform an asymmetrical rotational movement with one foot, periodically look back to check for potential collisions or floating objects in the river to avoid, and answer the frequently asked questions of the Bowman. your crew, if they like to chat while rowing.
Steering with your foot while following the rhythm and executing the movements correctly requires high-level multitasking.
Photo from Rowing Reddit
My experiences as Bowman can be considered uneven at best. I started on a Saturday when the river was full of boats, when no one else wanted to take the Bowman seat, so I volunteered to try. Being new, I didn’t know how to maneuver the foot steering properly and as a result we almost hit the side, we went in the wrong direction and got scolded by the other clubs.
Later I had some better experiences in the 4E and 4F boat, only to have my confidence deflated by an unfortunate incident early Tuesday morning where an exceptionally strong current and late maneuver got our boat caught in the fallen branches. Thankfully because of our instructor Ema’s quick-thinking and calm approach we were able to escape the ordeal unscathed, but the boat was damaged and so was my confidence in being a Bowman.
During the short pause I took from helming the role of Bowman, I noticed the reluctance amongst many other members in the club, most of whom have rowed for years but either never wanted to try it out of fear they’d fail or believed it would be too difficult for them. I saw how precious a skill it was and how rare it was to be a good Bowman, and grew a deep respect for the master Bowman in our club. I was reminded once again that the only way to succeed at anything is to fail and keep trying, so I returned to the Bowman seat with a rekindled curiosity and determination I hadn’t had from before.
My fascination with the role of Bowman goes beyond the technical skills it entails – Returning to the Yin-Yang concept we explored in point 5, within a 4-man or 2-man boat, excluding the people in the middle, the Strokeman is Yang, setting the pace of the boat, while the Bowman is Yin, periodically checking for collisions and steering the boat to safety.
In life we need to cultivate both of these skills and know when to speak up and lead decisively, setting the tone and pace of how things unfold, and when to “lead from behind” quietly and confidently without the group noticing.
The journey continues…
The next part of this reflection will explore more our relationship with time/timing, how to stay centered, and how to relate to the elements of life and Great nature. Thanks for reading my reflections from 12 months on the river. And you?
What do you think?
Subscribe to receive updates on when the next article is released:
Want to collaborate? contact me at [email protected]