Griffin Speaks
ROW ROW ROW YOUR BOAT
Chris with his learner’s permit in his pocket drove
me to Atlanta, Georgia to pick Greg Jr. up from Morehouse College where he
is finishing up his first year with honors. We stayed at The Holiday Inn
Select in Knoxville, Tennessee on Friday so that we would be rested for the
races. We met Vince and his beautiful wife Rhonda Comer for dinner that
evening at Bone Fish. Rhonda
was also in law school at Pitt a year behind us. Rhonda Comer, BSN, JD and
Senior Vice President, General Counsel for Nationwide Children’s Hospital
in Columbus, Ohio looks the same as she did in the early 80s’ during her
tenure at Pitt Law School. This would be my first Boat race.
The race took place on Melton Lake one of the best
rowing venues in the United States. It has hosted regattas for over 30
years. The venue has been the site for many major rowing championships
including the U.S. Nationals, Women’s Nationals, Master’s National’s,
and the Pan American Trials. It is a first class course.
I believe Ally’s boat was a coxed eight (a sweep boat that has an eight-person crew, which has a coxswain). It appeared to be about 65.2 feet long weighing about 2
,112 pounds. They won two of their three races and are now sixth in the nation. We are so proud of Ally and her teammates. It is my understanding that they burn 1500 calories an hour when they are rowing. So if you see Debra and me on the Alabama River rowing in a Coxless Pair (a sweep boat that seats two rowers) it is because we are trying to get in shape.How was your weekend?
In the words of my dad, “You must honor the chair whether it is sitting, walking or lying down.”
Greg Griffin is a free lance writer. You can read his previous articles by visiting his web page at www.greggriffin.com or write to him at P.O. Box 250194 Montgomery, Alabama 36125-0194.