Head of Speakmon Regatta

Keeping this post open for the video and/or pics.

First race for novices: Head of Speakmon, Columbus OH

During the Fall novice season the only regatta that the kids get to participate in is the last one of the season. For Cameron's and the other 7 boys and cox (Emily) their race was in Columbus and it was called Head of Speakmon. I am looking for photos of that race...I do have video. Now, I have figured out how to get the pics on here...I have to work on the video. Another mother took this video and then put music to it...have to work on it folks. In the mean time I will work on finding some photos of this time.

Beauty all around me!

While I was "lurking" that one October day...trying to get some shots of the kids and trying not to be noticed so I won't embarass my son...I noticed I was amongst some beautiful pics of my own and decided to take some shots for me. Here they are.

Paparazzi Mom

These pics were taken in October of 2006 while "lurking" through the woods at the Lake...trying to get that one great pic in just the right setting/lighting/props...you name it...I was on a mission.

I was nicknamed Paparazzi Mom by the kids in 2006. I was at every practice..lurking..then graduated to riding in the launch because my lens was not telephoto enough to get just that right pic. Yes, I know, I am a sick, sick woman!! LOL My purpose to taking all the pics is just this, to document everything. I knew I would not be able to go back and reconstruct things on my own without pictures. Those that know me..know..I love my camera and I LOVE taking pictures. Cameron gets a little tired of me being in his face all the time but I want my snippets of time captured so I can talk to my grandkids about it one day.

East Fork, Harsha Lake

Beautiful East Fork, Harsha Lake. This was taken in October 2006 of Cameron's novice year.

Here are some more pics of Amy and Pedro taken during Cameron's novice year at different times, different days, in different practices. I guess I am trying to say...to all those reading (not!) that they are not in order by date.

2006 coaches

Here is a picture of both coaches in September of 2006. Of course, you know Amy now and the other gent in the picture is Pedro, the varsity coach.

Amy is now the varsity coach and we have gone through a novice change yet again. The first novice coach after Amy was Dawn. She was really good. She left us to start a family and focus on her life. Now, we have Brent. Wow, is all I can say about him. He is one heck of a coach too! More on this later. I am trying to keep all this in somewhat of an order and sequence so I won't jump all over the place and lose you. Heck, who and I typing to at this point. I have no readers or comments...so I guess I would be losing my self. Well, note to self...I am already lost!!! Ha Ha

Amy, the novice coach.

Cameron's novice coach was Amy Condrey. What an absolutely wonderful person this gal it!!! She was exactly what I needed to let Cameron go into this sport. She is kind, beautiful, and a great, great, great coach. The first day of practice she had over 40 kids. She was all over that dock...showing each and everyone of them the parts of a boat, how to get in, and safety tips. As you can see in the pics below she took care of everyone and then turned to watch her new pupils put what she just told them into action. She is truly a blessing to the team and to our family.

Novice year

In the sport of rowing, a rower starts out his first year as a novice. Then after that one year period the rower moves up to varsity. Also all the pics right now show that the boats are sweeping which means each rower and seat has one oar. This was the beginning of my son's novice year.

9/14/2006 more first day pics

Moving to a smaller boat.

This is a few more practices under his belt and they moved him and a few other newbies in smaller boats. Still sweeping but in a quad/four with a cox. He is sitting in themiddle of all those girls and at this point he does not know how lucky he is. As you will see the trend to his rowing career will show you that his boats will continue to get smaller...I did not think my nerves could handle it...but I survived and he thrived and all is good.

Here is a few other pictures of him on his first day.

• One he is carrying the oars.


• helping the team carry that huge (and heavy) boat.

The start of it all. His first day on the water with the team. The only middleschool kids and the only homeschooled kid on the team.

This is the start of it all. September of 2006. This is my Cameron on his first day of practice ever. He was in a quad, with me, twice before but the first time in a team practice. Just wait...you will see how this boy has changed into a young man. He just turned 13 when he started on Clermont Crew. Seems like such along time ago.

Welcome to my new venture!

Welcome to this new venture! I am excited and nervous about putting this out there. I hope you enjoy this blog and enjoy getting to see our crew in action. To my family...I hope you enjoy seeing this wonderful sport (some of you for the first time ever) and enjoy seeing Cameron grow, mature, and ROW! This sport is so much more than getting in the boat and rowing.