Blast is correct. Blast of wind….
But what a thrill to finally row on the Charles River. After rowing in college 1983-1985, I came to Boston after graduating and stared at the river. I hoped some day to be able to row here, but had no idea how that would ever happen. To row and race here 33 years later was a long time dream come true, regardless of the wind – or the temperature.
We learned a few things.
- 50 degrees in Boston is NOT the same as 50 degrees in Seattle.
- Bridges aren’t just obstacles to navigate around, they are very efficient wind tunnels.
- Branches with colorful leaves overhanging the river are beautiful, and inattentive coxes can get their tall rowers smacked in the head if they aren’t careful. Katie and I watched a men’s 8 go under a low branch and one after the other they got smacked in the back of the head. It was comical to watch from the shore.
- This Regatta is a 3 mile long party – on both shores. So much so there are 18 official meeting places. Eighteen.
- Boston takes care of its rowers. The boathouses are beautiful.
It was cold. Though not according to the thermometer. I went to the venue within an hour of landing at Logan. An hour later I bought a beanie and gloves from the event vendor. And used them ALL weekend. The sun felt nice, but the wind sliced right through you. Sunday was the first time I watched college students row a race with long sleeves and tights. Sunday I was so cold I bought an extra long sleeve and a puffy jacket to wear under my fleece jacket to try and stay warm. It was in the 40s. Not really all that cold in Seattle.
It was windy. Fortunately the river curves, and in places the tall buildings, or the river bank itself, offered protection and kept the waves down. The basin was not thus protected, and the further east you went, the rougher it got. Saturday our womens’ 4+ bobbed around out there, while waiting in line for the start. Sunday I was oh so glad to be in a mixed 8 and have some taller, heavier people to stabilize the boat. The water was probably the roughest I have rowed in consistently (can’t count the Dive Boat wakes in Montlake Cut). Riggers were routinely smacking the tops off the waves. Things calmed down after the start, but each bridge did an awesome job at funneling the wind so it would pick your oar right up off the water and sail it to the stern. Wind gusts were estimated at over 30.
But what a thrill to row down the Charles River and participate in this world renowned regatta. Rowers came from all over the world to race here. Colleges gathered here to race other crews. Masters and Veterans (over 70) raced in the wind and cold down three miles of twisty river and under 6 bridges. The number of entries in each event is so large that the odds of earning a medal (only first place gets one of these coveted pieces…) are slim unless you are at the top of your game. So why compete here?
Mahe is from New Zealand, and is the current Olympic champion and five-time World champion in the single sculls.
David is one of our Pocock coaches, a National Team Member, multiple World Champion medalist, recently won the bronze medal in the Lightweight Mens Pair at Worlds
We come to test ourselves. To see how we perform against other teams from across the nation, and how we live up to our own expectations. We come to wear our club colors, to let the world know who we are. We come to see the best in our sport and watch them compete – or to lay down our best alongside them. We come to row down the Charles River, winding between autumn colored banks, in front of distinguished boathouses. We come for the experience. Would I come back? You betcha.
