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By Fiona Russell

It’s 9am on a cool and slightly misty Saturday morning and already I have counted 20 boats passing Glasgow Rowing Club on the murky River Clyde. The “traffic” comprises solo and pairs rowing boats, plus an occasional four or eight-man vessel, each one appearing to skim effortlessly across the surface of the still water.

But this graceful procession of rowers, many taking advantage of the early morning peace for couple of hours of training, is about to be marred. In a few minutes’ time I will be launching the river for my first attempt at sculling (that’s rowing with two oars).

For safety’s sake – and instruction – I am joined in the long, narrow pairs boat by James, a rower of many years, and cox Alistair Browne, also secretary of GRC. Fixing my feet into foot-holds and gingerly sitting back on a rollered seat I then extend my legs fully and take an oar in each hand. The general technique that Browne explains is not dissimilar to rowing a pleasure boat except the seat moves forwards and backwards. The technique is also more refined and coordinated.

As a rower drives with his legs, he must pull the oars through the water with perfect symmetry and in exact unison with the rest of his crew. The recovery is just as important as the oars glide lightly back to the start position without touching the water.

Hard copy

The article as it originally appeared in print. Paula was fortunate enough to be available for the photo shoot, even though she hadn't been there the day Fiona came to suss us out.

While everyone around me has made the art of rowing look smooth and dignified I suddenly realise it can so easily look ragged and clumsy. For the following 30 minutes I try hard to concentrate and every so often I pull off a clean sweep and feel the boat lunge powerfully backwards. A few such strokes and I can see how straightforward the action should be. But seconds later I catch the water’s surface awkwardly again with one oar and the boat is almost brought to a standstill.

“It’s a lot harder than it looks,” I say to Alistair. He agrees, pointing out that rowing requires both fitness and consistent technique. But it doesn’t mean the sport is not open to beginners. At GRC, regular Saturday morning sessions for novices have become a popular fixture.

“Many people already know about competitive rowing thanks to Sir Steve Redgrave and the Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race but few realise that it’s a popular activity in Scotland,” says Browne. “In fact there a many clubs spread across the country and membership is rising. There’s also a growing number of regattas.

“The beginners sessions have begun to attract new members to GRC and once people have a try they become quite addicted.”

Taking a breather from the rowing we allow the boat to float gently along the Clyde. To one side GRC new-comer Andrea Heins rows by, confidently powering a single scull.

“Andrea has only been out on the river a couple of times but already she’s picking up the technique,” Browne. “It’s not all that difficult it’s just that if you’re not used to rowing you tire quickly and that’s when your coordination goes to pot. Andrea is very determined.”

For Heins, a 22-year-old musician form Glasgow, rowing has become a fun alternative to fitness classes at the gym. “I wanted to stay in shape but I can’t afford a gym membership at the moment,” she says. “I also dislike jogging and I wanted to take part in a sport that was sociable.

“Finding out about rowing via an internet advert it seemed to tick all the right boxes as it’s fun, challenging, exhausting physically and very friendly.”

Describing her first few outings as “frustrating but rewarding”, Heins is keen to continue. “I enjoy rowing for many reasons. I get to see a completely new side of Glasgow rowing along the Clyde, it’s great exercise, a worthwhile challenge and I’ve met lots of new people. It’s a great way to spend a Saturday morning.”

Heading back to the GRC boathouse I finally find a rhythm to the rowing. Although Browne has to tell me to “relax much more”, I can suddenly appreciate the power of unifying leg thrust with oar action. I even manage to look up occasionally at the surroundings and realise that Glasgow Green can look quite beautiful when viewed from the River Clyde at this time in the day.