I love the commitment and intensity needed to power through wave after wave until I thread my way through the surf zone and sit in the rolling swells beyond, basking in the adrenaline bath.

Reboarding is the most important rough water technique. It is a requirement for safe exploration of challenging conditions. Once the mental fear of falling out of the boat is overcome, reboarding itself isn’t that hard – the key is control.

Coastal rowing is proposed for the Olympics, and there are social coastal tours. But I hope another channel develops: a “counter-culture” of rowing rebels who take to the sea with the radical quest for experiencing big waves and challenging conditions.

After extensive testing of Concept2 and Croker oars, here’s a look at what each has to offer and how they perform throughout the stroke and in various conditions.

Coastal rowing is a dynamic environment and an evolving sport. I’m always experimenting. Different boats have different needs. Sea conditions vary from location to location, and day to day; and rigging demands can change accordingly.

For coastal, the catch is essentially the same as in flat-water. But there are a few nuances to really getting coastal catches down, and in a lot of ways, the catch is the most important and elusive moment when the water kicks up.

Here are a few tips to make your drive smooth when the waves kick up. When your boat is bouncing up, down and all around, there are a few key points to keep in mind.

Rowing with control while breaking waves come over the side of your boat is a testament to boat handling skills. It’s also a heck of a lot of fun.

Without the pressure of racing, winter rowing offers solitude, soft sunlight, and rugged, frothy waves.

There is one assumption you should make to prepare yourself mentally and equipment-wise for winter rowing: assume you will go in the water.