Book Review: Sculling In A Nutshell

Since the weather seems to be taking a turn for the better, at least in my neck of the woods, I think it is time to focus on training outdoors.  Summer to me means rowing, running and being outside as much as I can.  Today I want to tell you about a great book that just came out about rowing on the water.

I met the author, Gordon Hamilton at the Florida Rowing Center.  This is where I first got exposure to sculling and much of this was under Gordon's watchful eye.  As a first exposure to the sport I was a bit overwhelmed and a lot of the teaching has been forgotten or was never fully processed in the first place.  Yeah it happens, and we all need a reminder.  Enter "Sculling in a Nutshell".  This was a much needed refresher for me.  I have read several books on the subject between working with Gordon at the FRC and purchasing this particular book.  I love this book.  It serves to remind me and at the same time re-teach me the lessons I learned previously.  I found myself thinking "Oh, so that is what he was saying".  Now that I can read and re-read at my leisure it really gets a chance to sink in.  Gordon has a very unique way of looking at sculling and his teaching may seem a little different, unlike what you may have learned from others.  Suffice it to say, this book is a worthwhile investment for the veteran rower or the novice.  There is a lot of good information here.  If you are a rower go buy it.  I bought my copy on amazon.com.  Better yet if you can, next winter or spring, escape the cold and go to the Florida Rowing Center.  Here is a link.  You can have Gordon sign your copy.