Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Women's Rowing Journal - Taylor Jordan
11/4/2008 7:00:00 AM | Women's Rowing
Nov. 4, 2008
Arriving at Bucknell as a freshman, I was more than a little skeptical when I heard we would be sculling for the majority of the fall. I had never sculled before and was completely unaware of the connection it had to sweep rowing. In the beginning, I struggled just to stay afloat. As each week progressed I found my skill level improving and my comfort level followed.
This year, I arrived at the boathouse with a much different mind set. I had seen firsthand how much the single had helped my sweep rowing skills. Rowing in the single helped me identify my strengths and weaknesses, physically as well as mentally. I now accepted the single as an extremely helpful teaching tool.
Coach Kish has said that one row in a single is equivalent to three rows in an eight. Along that line, I believe that one year of Division-I rowing is comparable to four years of high school rowing. I learned a lot my freshman year and I was pleasantly surprised this fall when I stepped into the single as a sophomore. Just one year ago I had been unsure of myself and unfamiliar with how to apply my available power at the highest level. Now I step into the single and although I know it won't be easy, I know every challenging stroke will lead me toward a successful spring.
The single scull provides a pure environment for the rower to gauge her own abilities. There are not many variables involved, it's just you and the boat every time, so your personal progress is right there for your own assessment. It shows you where you need to work and then provides the feedback as you adjust accordingly. Love it or hate it, single sculling is a most efficient teacher.
- Taylor Jordan '11
