So, I’ve covered the juniors and the women, and now it’s time for the men. I don’t know about you, but when it comes to Christmas shopping I find the men in my life impossible to buy for. Craft fairs and cute little local shops get the girls sorted by mid-November, but however good my intentions there’s always a last-minute dash to find something for the guys.
Happily, if the man in your life happens to be a rower that makes the whole thing easier. Here are five great gifts for the male rower in your life.
1. Ventilation snood, from Crewroom, £19 in three colour-ways
It’s an icy morning and the freezing air is burning your airways and stinging your eyes. You pull your scarf up over your nose and mouth. Great – problem solved… until half way through the warm-up when your breath starts condensing and your scarf becomes a soggy, wet mess. Problem solved with this clever snood which has a ventilation mesh panel at the front (great for skiers, too, I should imagine). I can’t help wondering why the model looks so worried, though. Perhaps they just told him he had an erg test later.
2. Wacky Sox in Black Magic, from Rock the Boat, £16 for 3-pack, avail. med UK2-6 and lge UK7-11
Rowing’s not very kind to your socks. Mucky landing-stages, sweaty shoes, mud, exertion… the chances are your man could do with some more. These are fabulous for winter rowing. They feel like someone’s giving your feet a little hug the whole time (and let’s face it, we could all do with a hug on a tough outing), and I think they look pretty damned cool.
3. Performance shorts, from Godfrey Sports, £32, S to XXL
Now, then. I have to admit to an ulterior motive in suggesting these. There are an awful lot of male rowers out there who could do with some new shorts. Without wishing to be indelicate, ill-fitting, saggy, worn-out shorts with perished elastic are uncomfortable viewing for fellow club members. I shan’t labor the point. Just do us all a favour and buy him these. Please?
4. Eat my wash badge, from Rowco, £1
This is the kind of rarrrr message that will appeal to all but the most mild-mannered rower. And it’s only a quid. Win win (and let’s hope he does).
5. Ergometer testing e-Book, from Rowperfect, £7
Ah, the dreaded erg test. If you share your life with a rower you’ll know ALL about this. Show him how fascinated you are (cough) by giving him this clever e-Book that covers everything from mental preparation to 500m splits to recovery. Maybe you could get a second copy and give it to the snood model, too.
So there you have it. Christmas all wrapped up. Apart, that is, from the wrapping.
