As a new RCRC Board Member representing the Junior Team, I was interested in learning more about the sport of rowing this summer.  No better way than to sign up for the fourth of six 2018 Summer Adult Learn to Row sessions.

By the end of the first of nine classes, the adult beginning rower students, myself included, were well on their way to having a new vocabulary running through their minds:  

Shell. Erging. At the finish. Arms and body only. Ready, up!  On Shoulders. Hold. Set. Starboard, port, bow, stern, outboard, inboard, stroke, bow pair, drive, catch - way enough!

Over nine classes spanning three weeks’ time, adults from the Sacramento, Davis, and surrounding communities have been learning how to row this summer. Participants experience sweep rowing in 8- person shells. Sweep rowing is where each rower has one oar, held with both hands, as opposed to sculling where one rows with two oars. Each session consists of lessons in which co-ed rowers learn the technique and execution of the rowing stroke, as well as rowing commands, boat handling, and the intricacies of crew dynamics.

Whether learn-to-rowers’ motivation to enroll was to improve conditioning, to learn a new sport, to get out to meet new people, or to do something out of their comfort zone, we quickly came to realize that we were all in the same boat between 5:15 a.m. and 7:15 a.m. (Mondays and Wednesdays; 8:00 a.m.–10:15 a.m. Saturdays). 

Continued from  PETALUMA MARATHON
rowed or paddled watercraft can join the fun. Ocean and flat-water kayaks, surf skis, canoes, stand up paddle boards and outrigger canoes are likely to take to the water alongside RCRC entries. Past participants have included Olympians, elite athletes, enthusiastic novices and two Frenchmen with a fully stocked picnic basket aboard their canoe.

It's not too late to enter the Petaluma River Marathon or Half Marathon and there is still room on the RCRC trailer.

Grab your training partner, let Arthur know your boat preference at RiverCityRowingED@gmail.com  and register at RegattaCentral.com


 

Continued from MIDDLE SCHOOL ROWING
The Middle School team focuses on technique and sculling in small boats; singles, doubles, and quads. Holly mixes in erging, general fitness, swim days and kayak days. At the end of summer there is a cook-out with all of the middle school rower families where the parents watch the kids compete in a “triathlon” of rowing themed activities, then man the grill while watching the rowers swim off the dock and have water fights.


As a parent of a former middle schooler (now junior) it was a great experience. Most of the parents stay to watch their athlete’s practice and begin to learn the sport themselves, which was my gateway into the sport.  If you come out in the evenings when the team practices you will see the gathering of adults watching, sharing snacks, and enjoying the peninsula. Many of our middle schoolers and parents come out to help on our volunteer days as well.

The middle school team is also one of our pipelines to the juniors team. In 2018-2019 nine novice juniors came up from our middle school ranks, and this year we will have a few more. If you have the chance to go out and row when the middle schoolers are practicing it is a great experience to watch the young rowers. They have no fear, becoming experts in handling boats on the water in no time and know how to help each other and the coach in setting up launches, getting boats in and out of the water (including washing and wipe downs), and handling oars.

Continued from THE MYSTIQUE
being a very lightweight lineup the boat handled well and the crew had a thorough workout.

The boatmaker is one very familiar to Arthur: Hudson Boatworks out of Ontario, Canada.  “I’ve worked with them for thirteen years at Washington State with zero regrets; nothing but complete satisfaction in performance and service,” remarked Arthur.  The new shell comes equipped with quick-release shoes and an extra set of shoes was ordered so that we have options for either large or small feet. The ideal weight range for the shell is 165-195 pound crew average, which will allow the most members of our club to access it.

It is a beautiful navy blue with white triangular highlights on the decks. “We take pride in our blue oar blades with the white stripe,” noted Raul, “and this boat shows that pride on the boat itself.”

Not only is it a quad, but it has sweep riggers so that it can be rigged as a straight (coxless) 4. There is toe steering in bow-seat to help the boat fine tune its course. We want this boat to last for a very long time and for that reason we’ve invested in a boat cover to keep it clean and protected during trailering and at races. This boat will be used by the advanced masters teams and varsity junior squads, and with another quad in our fleet, allow more availability of our three other quads for our intermediate and novice scullers.

Continued from MASTERS NATIONALS

from Canada, are expected to race for a combined  1,400+ entries. Members of the Advanced Women’s, Open Women’s, Masters Men’s, and Intermediate Mixed Masters’ teams have been busy preparing for Nationals.  In 2008 the Open Women’s team won a gold medal in the 4+ A event, while the Advanced Women’s team missed medals in three events by .04, .06, and 1.4 seconds. All teams have finalized lineups and made other final preparations, hoping to give themselves the best possible opportunity to get on the medal podium this year.

Over 60 RCRC athletes, whose ages range from 23 to 75 years, will be competing in more than 50 races, primarily focusing on the club events. Individual rowers and scullers from RCRC are also planning to compete and hoping to medal at the regatta. For example, Joel Griffith is looking to increase his medal haul at Nationals after winning five events—sculling in a single, with RCRC members, and with other clubs—at the Northwest Regional Championships in June.


*Watch a live stream of racing on USRowing's YouTube channel*

*Regatta heat sheets, including RCRC entries, and results are posted on HereNow*