Patrick's challenge
What happens next?
- Patrick takes an involuntary bath in the lake.42%
- Jonathan wins by a mile.46%
- They decide it's too cold outside and stay in the boathouse.21%
The competition has ended.
Patrick’s challenge: rowing against a pro
8.1.2019
Translation: Eva Francis
Video: Manuel Wenk
It's a wonderful winter morning and the water surface of Lake Zurich is sparkling in the sunshine. I'm meeting Jonathan Perraudin from Belvoir Rowing Club for a challenge: Who’s faster at 250 metres rowing. Am I in for a chance?
Jonathan (mid 20s) has been rowing for 12 years and trains seven to nine times a week – either on the lake, on a rowing ergometer and in the gym. And then there’s me: I’m 50 and have never sat in an actual rowing boat before. I work out three to five times a week and recently took up indoor rowing.
The challenge
This is what it all comes down to: Completing 250 metres as fast as possible and going at it with an aggressive number of strokes during about one minute. All out! I’m in serious doubt whether I stand a chance. What do you think?
«I like the team aspect of it»
Belvoir Rowing Club’s boathouse, a listed building, is located directly on the lake in Zurich Enge. When I walk from the tram stop to the boathouse, I cross medical offices and law firms in enormous, stunning mansions, surrounded by beautiful gardens or small parks. There's a hint of old money in the air.
Jonathan Perraudin, who’s studying mechanical engineering at ETH Zurich, welcomes me at 8 a.m. with a cup of coffee. We get chatting about his passion for rowing. See our full conversation in the video (in German). One aspect of rowing Jonathan greatly appreciates is being out on the water as a team. Indoor rowing is an individual sport.
It might be a stunning morning and the water surface sparkling in the early-morning sunshine, but the thermometer tells us the air temperature is -5°C. I don’t even dare asking about the water temperature. It's probably just above ice cube degrees. Not exactly ideal conditions to race against a pro. Nevertheless: Challenge accepted!
I must admit, my feet are freezing. I hope they won’t get wet. We’ll see about that. To be continued... Come aboard and follow me. You’ll never miss any of my challenges.
Patrick Bardelli
Senior Editor
Patrick.Bardelli@digitecgalaxus.chFrom radio journalist to product tester and storyteller, jogger to gravel bike novice and fitness enthusiast with barbells and dumbbells. I'm excited to see where the journey'll take me next.
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