<p>Got a phone call tonight from New London. I guess the coasties are not sitting around their rooms bored!
First, ds participated in the Drill Down. The cadets are graded on various drill maneuvers etc. In his group there were 18 participants and he finished fifth. He made it past the first two rounds but missed the final four by a point or so.
Then after a brief respite to finish chemistry homework, the young man was preparing to join several fellow 4/c on a "spirit mission." They were to row across the Thames(good thing he's in crew!) and spray-paint "spirit rock" in anticipation of this week's football game against Hobart College, not to mention several other sports events including a big regatta in which they will be facing USMMA among others. This was due to take place at midnight!
Dad:You gonna get any sleep tonight? Son:Well I don't know but I have to go nonstop tomorrow from 5 to 3 then crew from 4-6. Dad:Oh....</p>
<p>I see the spirit is alive and well in New London too! Just gotta time those sub departures.....unless, of course, they can hitch a ride on the wake! Well, dark or not, the extra rowing practice will stand them in good stead for the HOC on Sunday! See u there!</p>
<p>Better pack your woolies it's going to be about 55 degrees with possible rain for Sunday...see ya there!</p>
<p>Bossf51:</p>
<p>If you son needs to catch up on sleep, maybe he can go to USAFA through the academy exchange program.</p>
<p>Lots of rocks to paint out in Colorado.</p>
<p>Good one Aspen! BF are you watching?</p>
<p>Please tell me that they are painting it orange. I will send the paint! :) What fun!</p>
<p>bossf1: this is the 8th time we will be at the HOC....the 8th time it has rained, (well, if you count the one year of sleet as rain), the 8th time we have seen NO sign of sun, and most likely the 8th time we will see absolutely nothing come down the course through the fog.....but hey, welcome to the world of crew, and the Millerton Inn serves great Irish Coffee to warm everyone up! Lets just hope there are no crashes this year....they changed the course a bit after a collision between 2 boats in 2004 that nearly severed one eight in half and dumped 9 rowers in the sink! The sport of GIANTS! (remember to bring that umbrella!...and hand-warmers come in handy for the rowers, so if you have a box to distribute to the team you will no doubt make honorary coxwain!)</p>
<p>well, just to report back to those interested: (taffy, I know you're out there somewhere!)</p>
<p>The HOC lived up to its reputation- great competetion, rainy weather (well, we were all spared the hard stuff and just got drizzled on!)...stong headwind for the rowers who raced "upstream" against the wind and current....only one flip all day (an 8, all rowers rescued!)...somehow they managed to get tangled with the anchor of the ref''s boat out in the middle of the river (taffy- take note, this is up to the cox to steer the boat!).....there must have been more excitement down at the holding area, as several boats came off the water with missing bows! Got to meet bossf51, and the USCGA had a very respectable crowd to cheer their team on....the local "academies" were all lined up in a row....USCGA, USMMA and even SUNY Maritime! All had good showings on the water, and with the race course "flipped" the spectators got to see the boats at the start, as opposed to picking them out from the fog at what was once the finish! Trip home especially cheerful, with daughter's team bringing home 3 golds, in addition to a respectable 4th place finish! Lets all hope it drys out in Boston for the Head of the Charles!</p>