At first glance, rowing seems like the simplest of sports: blades go one way, boat goes the other. Pure, uncomplicated, elegant. But just as we're seduced by its beautiful simplicity, we all eventually become obsessed with its complex parts - and there are plenty of complex parts to keep us entertained. We've all got something to learn, whether it's mastering the set in a single after sweeping for eight years or lowering our erg scores just before the dawn of spring. Indeed, perhaps if we had it all figured out we wouldn't keep coming back for more.

Kate Siber