A rainbow reaches across the sky above Flaming Gorge Reservoir as yet another afternoon rainstorm gives way to a calm evening on the water.
Photo by Jen Sauer

An introduction to
flatwater rowing –
Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Sept. 1, day #6

There is a reason most people do not row reservoirs in unmotorized rafts. In fact, there are several reasons.

The first of which is probably that there is absolutely no current on reservoirs. None. We are moving at a rate of slightly less than 2 miles per hour, rowing from first light each morning until sunset and often late into the dark of night. Flaming Gorge Reservoir is roughly 91 miles long. We'd estimated that we would move a little faster than this. Thankfully, we have some extra time to play with.

Another reason not to row a reservoir in a big rubber raft might be the motor traffic. This is Labor Day weekend and hundreds of Utahans have descended upon Flaming Gorge with their motor toys. Our little boats are awash in their wake as they speed from one end of the lake and back, stereos blaring.

Yet another reason might be the wind that blows up and down this man-made body of water with fierce strength. It creates white-cap waves that lash at the rafts and almost always send us the wrong direction – upstream.

The reliable afternoon thunder and lightning storms also making reservoir rowing a risky endeavor. While these p.m. storms may also strike on the river, something about being in the middle of this massive body water during such a weather event evokes a new special kind of fear. During one such storm, Bob got out of his boat and refused to get back in. He opted instead to scale his way over the steep, rocky shore more than a quarter mile to a cove where Josh and I had sought shelter. Roselle had to row their raft off of the shore it was blown onto and down to the cove where we all waited wait out the storm.

But none of this is to say that more people shouldn't float reservoirs without motors. They should.

It is a supreme practice in patience. There is no use in hurrying, no point in multitasking. There are no shortcuts.

There are just two roles on each boat: sitting or rowing. And neither of are you are going anywhere fast. There is plenty of time for self-reflection, life analysis and overall introspection. There is time to follow each daydream to its end, every conversation until it's all been said, entire thought trains until they peter out.

It takes some getting used to. But once embraced, reservoir rowing is actually quite enjoyable. Which is a good thing, as we have about 200 miles of flat water to come.