There are some things you can’t teach. Grit. Passion. Determination. You can encourage it, cheer for it, maybe even remind someone that they have it but eventually, a person has to find it for themself.
I get to watch that happen regularly with my daughters. They’re crew rowers. And this weekend, their team, the Hillsborough High School Rowing Club, is taking on an incredible challenge.
They’re doing a 24-hour erg-a-thon to raise money to get the team to the Head of the Hooch Regatta in Chattanooga, Tennessee – one of the biggest rowing regattas in the country.
The rowers will take 30-minute shifts throughout the entire 24 hours, keeping that machine moving from start to finish. If you’ve ever jumped on a Concept 2 rowing machine (ergometer is the technical term or erg for short) you know it isn’t for the faint of heart. While easy on the joints, it uses every muscle in your body to go as fast as you can. Every rower on the team has signed up to take on the challenge, and I can already see the determination kicking in.
They’re excited to test themselves. They’re excited to see what they can do. And, honestly, they’re even excited to see what kinds of challenges people come up with to keep them rowing when that 24th hour starts getting closer. Because rowing isn’t just physical, it’s mental too. Learning to push your body to its limits, then dig deep and deliver just a little more.
That’s the part I love. It isn’t just about rowing. It’s about showing up and doing your part when you’re tired. It’s about knowing that your teammates are counting on you and then pushing a little harder. That’s grit. And I’m here to say, it is super inspirational when you see it out of your own kids.
And while they’re busy keeping an erg moving for 24 straight hours, we’ll be kicking off something a little more autumnal here at Kerby’s.
Friday night from 5pm – 7pm is our Sip & Shop, featuring line dancing with Miss Emily at 5:30pm. Grab a drink from the Dirty Soda Bar, dust off your two-step and come dance around the boardwalk with us. You’ll also get a first look at the Pumpkin Patch and Hay Maze!
Then Saturday, come enjoy the beauty of fall, Kerby’s style.
Fall flowers, veggies, and foliage are bursting off the tables. You can mine for gems at the Treasure Tower. Pick a fresh bouquet to brighten your table at The Flower Patch. Grab a fall photo with the family at the Pumpkin Wall. Wander the garden and soak up all those little things that make this time of year so much fun.
