The boats at the boathouse

I had watched the river from the bus all week, and it had always seemed as flat as a sheet of glass. On the morning of my first rowing session, however, the wind rattled the boathouse doors and the narrow boats tapped against one another. I placed my glasses in their hard case, then pushed the case to the bottom of my bag. The instructor tightened my lifejacket and announced that we would rehearse every movement on land before launching. Relief warmed my face; unfortunately, her smile suggested that she had noticed it.

In your own words, explain the writer's thoughts and feelings before the rowing session begins.