"When I'm out there I'm able to block all the hassles and worries from work. It's stress relief so that's another reason that I do it."

His challenge: Five years ago Chaffin, 50, was a jogger with aching knees. He longed for an exercise program that was challenging but not so hard on his joints. The idea of rowing had always been in the back of his mind: "I had seen for several years people rowing and read about it and heard it was real good exercise," he said.

Adrienne Hughes-Harris/Special (ENLARGE)

Jim Chaffin enjoys rowing on the river for better health.

Ready to Row? The four-week Learn to Row program with the Atlanta Rowing Club fills up fast. Check atlantarow.org to see how you can sign up for the next session. If you prefer to stand on the dock before jumping in, make plans to go to the Head of the Hooch annual fall regatta Nov. 1st-2nd: www.headofthehooch.org Related workout stories: Having a pup can firm you up  High on hula: Atlanta in the loop of the latest exercise trend  Jogging club has a mission: Chasing the fear of crime  Walk-N-Tone exercise video whittles off a size  Jazzercise classes don't feel like exercise  Photos: Workout routines you can do at home Topic: Atlanta Fitness Get ready for the AJC's Peachtree Road Race Back to Health news

How he got started: "One day I went out to the Chattahoochee River off Azalea Road and I went down to the docks and I saw people rowing and I asked them," he said. The rowers told him about the Atlanta Rowing Club's Learn to Row program. The four week course, which is held three times a year, gives novices a chance to learn different rowing techniques. Chaffin signed up and has been a rower ever since.

A breakdown of his sport: Rowing is more about endurance and power than braving rough rapids. On a calmer river like the Chattahoochee (where the Atlanta Rowing Club has a boathouse), rowers can take out boats for one, two, four or eight people. Chaffin explains that with four or eight you would normally have a coxswain who steers the boat for you. Chaffin now has his own single that he takes out most of the time but he also likes to row with a group if he's feeling social.

Rowing for fun: Speaking of social, one of Chaffin's favorite times to row is on Friday nights for "social row." "Usually we'll have four to ten people," he said. "Sometimes we'll race against each other or we'll talk as we row, nothing real serious. Then we'll put our boats up and go some place for something to eat or have a couple of beers. That's the dynamics I like about rowing; it's a bit social. Instead of going home everybody just hangs out."

Rowing for fitness: There's no doubt, though, that rowing is challenging. "When you row it's a good workout for your whole body." Itis the "perfect combinaton," he says, of power, finesse and endurance. On an evening row he'll cover eight miles in about an hour.

How he fits it in: While managing a company doesn't leave Chaffin a lot of time for recreation, he makes rowing a priority. "I love rowing so it's enjoyment," he said. "When I'm out there I'm able to block all the hassles and worries from work. It's stress relief so that's another reason that I do it."

Cross-training: Rowing has actually helped Chaffin to build up the endurance to do other sports like cycling and mountain climbing. In a typical week he rows three to four times, bikes twice, hits the gym and does some mountain climbing.

His advice: Even though Chaffin now rows at a competitive level (by participating in about four races a year), he said that folks can do it just for fun. "Sign up for the Learn to Row program," he said. "It's perfect because it will give you a taste of it to see if it's something you like." Then you can choose your level: recreation, social, competitive or elite. He also encourages prospective rowers to go to the Atlanta Rowing Club's fall regatta to watch them race: "I can't describe it but it's just so beautiful when you're out there."