Just returned from a fun weekend in Boston for the Crash B’s. Our entire family was there to cheer on a friend who was racing, but what made it really special was both boys being pulled in as floor coaches at the last minute. K1 was first to get snagged ( K2 half laughing : Dodged that bullet… ), but then I noticed a coach nearby with a very nervous looking family and a rower staring at an oblivious- half asleep K2 and sure enough he came over and asked.
Game ON.
These poor kids… no idea what they were in for… and then the families came over and we invited them to sit with us. We watched as my kids took their kids to the opposite side of the venue and sat down . K1 - talking nonstop- hands everywhere the entire time - which is his way . K2 must’ve said all he had to on the way because as soon as they sat down, he took his headphones off from around his neck and placed them on the young man’s head- and nodded off. We are now one hour away from the warm up pen and the parents are freaked because (a) they’re newbies and ( b )they have already witnessed a lot of puking and people being helped off the floor.
Finally, with the moment of truth fast approaching, the mom of the kid K2 was "coaching " ( because his eyes were now closed, too ) asked about the headphones- what is he listening to with his eyes closed ?? My husband: Music- and my best guess is it’s something with bagpipes or Promontory- you know- The Last of the Mohicans. Mom- Oh. Over and over?? Me: Yep. He’s putting it into his head before the race. It’s how he meditates and visualizes a race.
Oh.
My husband ( with the burning question everyone is dying to ask ): So… what is your son’s (PR ) time?
Around 7:00- is that good ? Me- before any of my dimwit family members can answer : He’ll be fine! ( To myself: K2 is going to kill this poor child- what the heck was his coach thinking?? ).
They’re in the warm up pen now ( after stretching and warming up outside the venue ) and K2 is suddenly very much awake- tweaking the kids form a bit ( okay- a lot ) and very animated- while also getting the celeb treatment and a lot of attention from fellow coaches who were shocked to see him… Shaking a lot of hands, etc. The kid must’ve been thinking who is this guy coaching me? LOL
Nap obviously worked wonders - he had just flown in from LA. K1 didn’t realize K2 was coaching in the same heat so once THAT reality settled in … you could see the old intensity and the competitiveness between brothers ramp way way up. Here we go - just like old times when they raced against each other in BS and during the summer months . K2 to K1 at one NEIRA on the dock : After I kick your a**, I’ll buy you a tee shirt. Fun- and I’m sitting with these poor unsuspecting families! Yay… just looking around for all the exit signs. Erg assignments turned out to be VERY far apart. Phew. Like in a different country apart… Thank God.
So the race finally begins… and K2 sets a good solid pace on the high side, but not completely unreasonable. ( My husband- also a rower in his day was flipping out - too fast, way too fast!! What is he doing?? before my sharp elbow shut him up ) K1’s kid takes the lead immediately and then backs off- fluctuating wildly all over the place before settling solidly into the top 5. K2’s kid (slowly at first ) starts pouring it on- building and building - stronger and stronger ( I’m starting to hear Promontory in my head now - you can see it ) -even getting a notice from the announcer for ticking up while others were fading away fast ( which was a real thrill for his mom- I know- I’ve been there. Nothing like hearing your kid’s name ).
Everyone is screaming - so excited for this kid who came into this with roughly the same time as a girl in an average SS FB. Results overall- K1 kid Top 15 ( who was almost 40 seconds faster than K2’s kid going in ) . K2 kid - Top 30 (!!! ) with a new PR of 6 and change. Not only that but his kid beat the FB kid his actual coach was coaching. Just thrilling- and then the kid’s legs buckled and he puked in a nearby garbage can - just missing K2 - who was rubbing his back - beaming. You’re fine… Really. LOL . 
As we were getting ready to leave - K2 was offered a coaching job ( which he declined, but if screenwriting doesn’t work out we have a fallback, people ! ). He did give the kid his contact info if he needs anything- which was nice . Mom here isn’t even sure if I have his correct contact information… so that was kind of huge. Kidding.
The whole day and experience brought me back to another time ( which I was NOT expecting- at all ) and I was reminded how precious those SS years really are… BS rowing / Club rowing and that age is simply the best- it’s really magical- just magical. Savor every single moment. I also highly recommend this sport to all the new kids entering BS next year - Yeah, it’s a difficult and very demanding sport, but the returns are lifelong, meaningful and sometimes very powerful and unexpected . There’s nothing quite like it. The people- the life lessons- everything.
And the memory of watching K2 hugging and parting ways with his young man ( who was literally scared out of his mind earlier in the day ) … and the smile on his face when K2 pulled out a newly purchased Crash B’s tee shirt from his backpack and handed it to him - First boat this spring, baby- You can do it . OMG- I almost cried. NOTE: K1’s kid did not get a tee shirt- which sadly should surprise absolutely no one.
And I have no doubt he will. He got the K2 “Promontory” treatment.
K2 ( home visiting for a few days ) has stayed away from rowing for quite awhile now- much longer than I ever thought possible . He has talked a lot about selling his boats since college - or avoided the topic entirely - sometimes rudely. Needless to say, I was shocked when he departed for the BH before the sun came up this morning - he went down to workout with his old Club coach and he took his single out on the water. A little while ago he sent me a text saying a seat opened up and he’s going out again in an eight with some Masters after cleaning his boats and lunch with his coach. According to K1 who texted from work - K2 asked him to take their double out this weekend. I responded with- just tell someone to bring back the bodies- it’s a joke - kind of. 
.
I know my fellow CC parents / rowing parents ( who know the K2 story from the Class of 2015 Thread ) understand what was lost and know what I’m feeling right around now, so I thought I’d share… Perhaps this is a sign that he’s finally ready to forgive himself so he can return and maybe rediscover something he once truly loved.
IDK for sure, but I think the young man he coached last weekend just might’ve sparked something and inspired him somehow . I guess we’ll see… fingers crossed - and like always- thanks for listening.
