Facing our fear....

and overcoming it.

The first time Tom went out in a single scull over a year ago, he capsized into the cold river. Once he'd got back in the boat he wobbled and capsized again as a steamer full of tourists went past. They laughed and filmed him as he struggled to get back in his boat. Cold and humiliated, he wouldn't go out in a single again, fearful of capsizing, convinced he couldn't do it. But this week with lovely coach Jack, he slowly built his confidence, worked out how to keep his balance in the wash of the steamers and this afternoon enjoyed an almost deserted river flat as a millpond, in the waning autumn light. Well done Tom and boo to everyone who posted films of a 12 year old boy capsizing on YouTube (although when he gets his Olympic gold medal, that footage will be priceless!).

I'm a proud mum today. :-)