The time of the ancient mariner

As Jay Bushell, 82, churns through the waters of the Intercoastal Waterway around Historic Blackburn Point in Osprey, he takes a deep breath every time his oars slip out of the sparkling blue water. 

It’s a perfect symmetry — one that Bushell, Sarasota County Rowing Club member, strives to improve upon every time he reaches the water’s edge. 

“When you’re racing, your breathing has to be in sync with (each) row,” Bushell says. “The breathing is completely different. And if it doesn’t match, then you’ll probably lose the race.” 

A native of England, Bushell began rowing in 1946 after realizing his hands and eyes don’t play well together. 

With less-than-perfect coordination, Bushell admits he was practically useless on the cricket field. Rowing proved to be a sufficient alternative. 

“I enjoyed rowing right away,” Bushell says. “(I like) the fact that you are subjecting yourself to the crew, but at the same time it’s not all-consuming.”

Bushell rowed throughout high school and college while attending University College in London. While in college, Bushell competed in the Head of the River Race — a four-mile course along the River Thames in southern England. 

After leaving college in 1956, Bushell began traveling frequently and was forced to take a step back from rowing. 

“Although there are pleasures that exist with rowing, there are certainly disadvantages,” Bushell says of the time involved. 

It wasn’t until 50 years later in 2006 that Bushell was reunited with the sport after a chance meeting between Bushell’s wife, Sybil, and Sarasota Scullers coach Jeff Higel. 

The two orchid-lovers also discussed her husband’s rowing background, and the next week Bushell was hopping into a boat at Historic Blackburn Point. Bushell has been rowing with the Sarasota County Rowing Club ever since. 

“When you’re rowing in a quad, though, there’s no respite. You just have to continue. ... In spite of everything, we can’t do it without you.” 

– Jay Bushell

 

He rows roughly four days a week in a men’s four-person quad with fellow rowers Chris Taylor, Pete Thompson and Joe Dobson. The four men, who dubbed themselves the Ancient Mariners because they have an average age of 73, typically compete in three or four regattas over the course of the year. 

“It’s very different rowing in this part of the world,” Bushell says. “On the River Thames, you didn’t argue with a barge. Here, you just have the beauties of rowing. You may not see anything for five miles other than you may possibly (row past) a huge boat.” 

Most recently, the Ancient Mariners competed in the Sarasota Invitational Feb. 27 and 28, at Nathan Benderson Park. 

Bushell, who turned 82 during the regatta, and his boatmates didn’t win the race, but the thrill of being out on the water and crossing the finish line was a victory in and of itself. 

“We got to the other end,” Bushell says. “We just tried to build up a modest effort.

“I enjoy rowing in a quad with four people,” Bushell says. “When you’re rowing in a quad, though, there’s no respite. You just have to continue. If your hands get wet, you have to grip the sculls with wet hands whether you like it or not. In spite of everything, we can’t do it without you.”