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ROWERS COMPETE
IN REGATTA
On a gorgeous November
weekend, Frostbite Rowing Regatta was hosted by Greenlake Crew ( photo)
and Head of the Lake Regatta, was hosted by Lake
Washington Rowing Club, one of the premier rowing clubs in the United
States.
Crew, by definition, is a
sport of racing rowing shells. By experience, it is a group of people
working together for a common goal."
One crew member described it.
"Through the torture we
subject ourselves to, we grow closer and our bond thickens, because we
do it together. We never leave another behind because our team is only
as strong as its weakest link. When race day is upon us, we leave it
all on the water, so when we take that final stroke, we have no
regrets; we start and end as a team. That is love. That is respect.
That is teamwork. That is crew." http://www.row2k.com/stories/index.cfm?action=read&ID=579
For about 5000 meters (3
miles), 20 minutes, rowers give one hundred percent of their
energy and power, without stopping or hesitating. They move from a
position of being rested to being totally exhausted. They are
dedicated, committed and competitive. Each rower must be in
perfect unison with the other rowers.
In order to do this, it
is crucial that each person take good care of her/his body--
eat well, sleep well, train well and avoid injuries. Getting massage
helps prevent injuries.
Rowing injuries
include:
Low Back pain,
Ribs, intercostal
strain,
Rotator cuff,
Forearm, Wrist
& elbow problems
(For a
description of some of these conditions see archived newsletters)
How can massage benefit
rowers?
It can identify
areas of tension and soreness and address them before an
injury occurs.
Sports massage reduces muscle
spasms/ cramps and pain.
It improves flexibility and
muscle relaxation.
Sports massage enhances
mental focus.
Massage improves sleep
patterns - essential for rowers
When is the best
time for rowers to get massage?
Receiving massage a half hour
before a race helps a rower be more focused, reduce tension and stretch
the muscles.
After a race (at the event site),-- after the athlete has
cooled down, rehydrated, consumed some carbohydrate calories, --massage
helps an athlete recover faster and sleep easier.
It's also beneficial for
rowers to get treatment massage a few days after an event to treat any
injuries and to help prevent injuries from occurring. For the
best injury treatment, see a massage therapist who is certified in
Orthopedic (medical) massage.
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