Definition of a Gig: a light, narrow, ship’s boat, built for speed. Typically, they are six oared and carry a coxswain. Gigs are made made from Cornish leaf elm and were originally used to transport a “pilot” from land to large vessel.
A couple of months ago I finally took the leap and went down to my local rowing club. I had had exactly zero excuses not to before then considering it’s only a ten minute journey from home… although I must confess, I was quite nervous and felt totally out of my lovely, safe, comfortable zone of running.
Anyway… needs must, and so I ventured into the marina with what I hoped was a considerable air of sass – I wanted people to think I did this every day and wasn’t in fact contemplating making a run for it.
I’m glad I didn’t run because I once I arrived at the club I was met a sea of happy, welcoming faces, and so it begun. I’d like to say that I was a natural, but I think “naturals” get on a boat and at least face the right way. Unfortunately my ability to decipher the bow from the stern eluded me that day (I blame the nerves), but as we got going I could almost feel my tension lift. It was absolutely brilliant.
The hour flew by, and yes I “caught a couple of crabs” (a ‘crab‘ is rowing term for when the oar becomes caught in the water at the moment of extraction), but I honestly loved every minute. To me, the most astonishing thing was that for a hour I was completely in the moment – I was trying so hard to concentrate and follow instructions that I could only be in the moment.
Learn something new, maybe daunting, and totally out your control, and I guarantee it’ll help you forget about your “to do” list for a while… and that is priceless.
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