Playing in the Boat Pays Off

While John Graves has been posting impressive results in his bout overseas in the men’s heavyweight single for the US, he has also shown that all the time perfecting tricks in the boat at Craftsbury has not been wasted. Before his semi at the second world cup in Eton, UK John noticed a clump of seaweed directly in his lane. While the stakeboat holders at the event had nets to grab seaweed out of the lane, John was able to flip up the seaweed on his oar and hand it to the officials, all while keeping his boat straight and ready in a crosswind before his race. Here’s the story from John’s point of view, check out the photos to see what we’re talking about!

“This was my proudest moment of the regatta. There was a bunch of weeds in my lane and I told the official I would attempt to remove the weeds myself (of course, while maintaining my point in the crosswind!) So I picked up the weeds with a flat blade, while balancing and tapping with my port blade. The stakeboat holders and officials thought it was hilarious. I then delivered the weeds to their basket and dumped them into the basket. Mission accomplished! I said to the girls holding my boat, ” I have been training my entire life for this moment.” Haha!! Moments later, the race was started, and well, I was fourth. I won the skills competition though!”

John picking up the seaweed in his lane before handing it to the stakeboat holder

All while keeping his point in some tough crosswinds right before the race!