Unfortunatley, with sculling, a free hand to take pictures is damn near impossible. So, it was during the quieter moments I was able to make a picture.

Oliver's valuable experience offered great insight on how to row for hours on end. We took a break every hour to change things up to avoid repetitive-motion problems like blisters. This worked like a charm and gave us an opportunity to grab a quick photo, change layers, grab a drink, take in some calories.

Other great Oliver wisdom included what to wear. I admit to overpacking because I couldn't figure out what would work to keep me warm and somewhat dry.

As a kayaking and SUP instructor, I always teach to, "dress for immersion."

As a rower, I know how much heat we generate moving a boat. But I've never rowed for three or four hours. This made selecting what to wear formidable.

This rowing adventure required mixing up my kayaking/SUP/surfing and rowing clothes. On Day One, we expected cold, windy and cloudy so most of my clothes came out of my kayaking/SUP bin: NRS farmer john shortie, Hydroskin pants, HydroSkin top, Rev Gore-Tex Pro Dry Top jacket, Outdoor Research Upsurge II paddling gloves and Smartwool beanie.

Day Two the forecast called for near-freezing temperatures to start (and Max and I rowed the first leg in the morning), sunshine, calm-to-no wind and warming up to the mid 40s. Because the sun would be out, I knew we would warm up quickly. No wind would make the water calmer with the possibility of little to no splashing. I took a gamble and wore the farmer john shortie under regular rowing clothes by my sponsor JL Rowing. The top was JL's Hi-Viz Adrenaline Long Sleeve Tech Shirt under our team's Classic Splash Jacket and Coolplus team hat. Oliver had it dialed in and wore his regular rowing clothes which included JL trou and custom Ancient Mariners Rowing Club vest.