Most activities of man, sports included, are affected by the whims, both good and bad, of weather. Some like it hot and some like it cold, but all take what they get and make the most of it. Almost any combination of elements of weather, wind, temperature, barometric pressure, humidity, rain and sunlight superimposed on the labors of an oarsman can bring out the whole range of feelings form to horror. Of course no matter how unpleasant the situation, the drive to overcome and survive keeps one going and once a return has been made to a comfortable normalcy most is forgiven and forgotten.
Whether in practice or in a race, it is a foregone conclusion that elements of the weather will conspire to be contrary and make the rower wonder at times if there could not have been some other sport chosen. But those thoughts were but a momentary interlude terminated by the call of a cox for "one more ten ", a reminder from the coach that he has not been unaware of the lapse of attention or a splash of cold water to break the spell. There may be many reasons for one to drop out of rowing but they are invariably scholastic, economic or physical rather than an unwillingness to accept the real or fancied trauma.
Wind
It is seldom that there is no wind at all, and then one wishes that was a little to offset some of the other elements. It does not matter that a sustainable speed in practice or race is eight or ten miles an hour, which is an appreciable breeze classed as Force 3 on the Beaufort Scale, and should logically add to or subtract from the actual wind velocity yet it always appears that wind has a perverse nature and ability to change so that it is always a headwind. After a long hard row against a headwind the anticipation of a helpful following wind on the return seldom materializes. Wind creates waves and waves create problems for low slung riggers and oars regardless of the direction from they attack and invariably results in port and starboard rowers working against each other trying to maintain balance. To further complicate this condition add the effect of nearby launches or rebounding swells and you have a maelstrom for tender shells though perhaps only a tempest in a teapot for more seaworthy craft.
But it is not always the headwind that is bothersome. In open waters, such as in the basin with long reaches of buildup, a tailwind can result in following swells that can make bladework especially difficult, especially when from a quarter. Pity the especially difficult, especially when from a quarter. Pity the poor bowman in a shell with the bow emulating a submarine into a wave traveling at about shell speed so that oar and outrigger are perpetually buried in water.
The absence of wind can also be an irritation when there should be at least a gentle breeze to provide the cooling evaporation or perspiration. With that salty solution dribbling from forehead into eyes, lucky is the rower with forethought to have a sweatband to act as an absorber and avoid the temptation to row with one hand while removing the irritant.
Temperature
There is, perhaps, a happy medium somewhere in the temperature range from too hot cold but being closely tied to other factors is hard to define. Rowing at Tech, confined to spring and fall on the water, avoids some of the extremes of summer and winter but there is mixed in enough of each to give an adequate taste to remember. Who can forget those rows, after dark especially, to Watertown with spray freezing on the outriggers and oars, sweatshirts and trunks, heels dipping into sloshing water and numb hands desperately gripping an oar. Stopping for a break or for instruction offered little relief from the cold except time for the hands to seek the comforting warmth of the armpits, stomach or groin. When the temperature is high the deadening oppression that saps the strength clamps down and the trickling perspiration makes everything slippery and the eyesight blurred.
If sympathy is due anyone connected with rowing it is the coxswain, long suffered under cold conditions in particular. Barred from this position if he, or now also she, possesses a protective layer of subcutaneous fat of significant weight has little natural protection. Crowded into a minimal space that does not permit adequate outer clothing, immobile except for gentle movement of the tiller ropes and splashed with frigid spray even to the indignity of that spray funneled to his mouth through a megaphone, the only relief comes from whatever is provided by words for all those aboard. It is not an uncommon occurrence for a cox to require assistance from his position to upright mobility after arrival at a dock and more in need of a hot shower than the rowers.
Sunlight
Sunlight is a great benefactor of mankind, on a par with other such necessities as food and water, but there are times when it is a bit of an aggravation. Surely not when it is necessary to row after dark of when it provided warming rays that a least make the cold seem less intense. But it surely is of little comfort when it is already hot and the sun adds degrees to a body already pumping out calories or when a shell direction aims the rays directly into the eyes and makes the rower behind a watery blur. It is usually at that time the cox or coach through with a harsh command to keep better timing with the rower can barely see.
Humidity
High humidity, particularly accompanying high temperature, can be most uncomfortable. With perspiration boiling out of a body without the cooling effect of evaporation to reduce its volume there is a very oppressive feeling that even stopping for a rest does not readily help. A low humidity is preferable as an accompaniment to other atmospheric condition but of course that quality is not given the credit that is due. This is true also of barometric pressure which in its own right is not a noticeable condition but does have important effects on others.
Rain
Rain also cannot be categorized as good or bad except in conjunction with other weather conditions, though it is more usual that it be classed as unwanted. In sufficient quantity it is an effective leveler of water as well as a coolant in the air but under most circumstance is an annoyance to all.
Good Weather
Having covered mostly the bad aspects of weather there should be some recognition of the good. We humans are prone to emphasize, in fact brag about, hardships experienced and endured but for pure enjoyment the combination of good weather and a crew working well together cannot be surpassed.