Where does the time go? It seems like only last week that we were dusting off the boats and putting in the docks for the start of the season. Now, vacations are done, school is ready to start and the head race season is upon us!
It's been a while since I wrote, so I thought that I would send out a note bringing everyone up to date on club activities.
Botanical Gardens SprintsLast Saturday, over 30 VBC members and learn-to-row graduates traveled to Norfolk for the Botanical Gardens Sprints sponsored by the Juniper Rowing Club. VBC made a great showing and won the overall Sprints Cup. The club had 17 boats entered from 2xs to 4+s and 8+s. The LTR graduates made a fine showing and the resurgence of VBC's sweep program is quite exciting.
Here is a link to the results:
http://sprints.juniperrowingclub.org/results.php
Also, check out these videos on YouTube:
VBC at the Botanical Gardens Sprints 
Learn-to-Row Program
This year's final learn-to-row class has just been completed. Over 30 individuals participated in the LTR sweep program this year. Our second session was so large that it had to be split into two groups. We had classes downtown Monday through Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings. Kyle Alford, our LTR instructor, did a great job with the novice rowers.
The two classes were very enthusiastic and really got into rowing. Many of them plan to continue their rowing and have joined the club. Please give them your encouragement and support when you see them at the boathouse.
Master Sweep Program
The reinvigorated VBC masters sweep program was very successful this summer. About 15 club members regularly participated in the Tuesday/Thursday/ Saturday training sessions which were coached by Christina Churn (now King -- she and Nick are newlyweds) from VCU. Steve Abbot and Erin Simon did a great job starting and organizing this program.
The masters boats were very successful at the Rocketts Landing and Botanical Gardens Sprints this summer. In addition, a crew of four rowers out of Robious (Steve Abbot, Jason Rife, Steve Chilmaid and Dan Snyder) traveled to the Diamond States Regatta in Delaware and placed 1st in the 4x and a close 2nd in the 4+ races.
We will continue this program into the fall head racing season. If you are interesting in participating, the group is practicing out of the downtown boathouse on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 6:00 pm and Saturday mornings at 8:00 am. You can also contact Erin Simon for more information (
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).
New Members
With a surging interest from the public in rowing (as evidenced in our overflowing LTR classes) as well as ex-collegiate and high school rowers who want to get back in the sport, we have had several new members join VBC this summer. If you see a new face at the boathouse, please welcome them to the club and help teach them the "ropes". It's great to see a growing membership.
Equipment
The large LTR classes and revitalized masters program have put a lot of demands on the club's equipment, particularly the sweep boats. VCU graciously let us use two of their 8+s this summer. However, with the start of the collegiate season, we will no longer have access to those boats.
There is some relief. First, we are receiving an equipment donation from the Western Branch Crew Club which is closing down their program. This includes a Kaschper 4+, a couple sets of oars, several ergs, and other miscellaneous equipment. We appreciate this generous gift from Western Branch. Second, the club is purchasing a "lightly rowed" 2006 Vespoli heavyweight 4+ from Brown University. We hope to have this new equipment available for use within the next couple of weeks or so. In the meantime, please be flexible in your scheduling and use of club boats and coordinate your training times with the various crews that are trying to get on the water.
This fall, we will also be evaluating equipment needs and location (Robious vs. downtown) to determine future acquisitions and optimal use. We will have any changes in place by the beginning of the season next spring.
Safety and Etiquette
With the increasing demand on our facilities, please keep in mind a few things to keep operations running smoothly.
We've had quite a bit of congestion on the docks, particularly downtown. Please launch and land your boats quickly, particularly if others are waiting. Some rowers have waited up to 15 minutes to land. Be considerate of others.
Also, please wipe down the boats after every use and wash them thoroughly at least once a week. Nobody likes dirty equipment.
A couple of safety reminders:
- Always row on the starboard side of the river. We would like to avoid head-on collisions from boats straying into each others' paths.
- When rowing downtown, please be aware of the barge/tugboat traffic. Give them wide berths -- although the tugboat pilots are quite good, they may have difficulty seeing you. We received a complaint from TARMAC officials that one of our boats came close to a tug and was not seen until the last second. Also, they tugs create a lot of turbulence. If they are working, stay way from them.
- CSX is still using the train tracks downtown. Be careful where you park your car and place your slings and make sure that the gates are closed. We don't want anything run over by the train!
Boathouses
Progress continues on both the Robious and Downtown boathouses. Prep work has begun for the Robious boathouse expansion. Over the next couple of weeks, the framework for the two side bays will be put in place. Once this is ready, construction of the roof and exterior fencing can be completed. Hank Holswade is doing a great job working with the county on the expansion. Please plan to volunteer your time when he calls for construction and support workers. Hopefully, we will have the expansion completed by the end of September (or sooner).
Progress also continues on the renovations of the Power Plant building downtown. The Rocketts Landing folks expect substantial completion of the construction by the end of September (except for the elevator). They do not have restaurant tenants for the upper two floors yet (they say that they are close) and don't expect to open a restaurant until next spring. They are working through permitting issues with the City regarding the lower two floors. Hopefully, we will be able to move back in sometime this fall.
We are still continuing to meet with City officials on long term options for a downtown boathouse. The City's downtown master plan is still being finalized regarding proposed uses of riverfront properties particularly Intermediate Terminal, Lehigh Cement, the Echo Harbour property and Mayo Island. The City is very supportive of the Club and our uses of the river. We have talked to them about possible boathouse sites at Ancarrows Landing, Mayo Island, Chappel Island and Lehigh Cement (which is being purchased by the City). We continue to explore these and other options.
Coaching Clinic
The University of Richmond Crew Club is organizing a Level II coaching clinic put on by U.S. Rowing. The clinic will be held Friday, September 19 from 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm and Saturday, September 20 from 9:00 am - 6:00 pm. Location: tbd. The cost is $125 plus you need to be an individual member of U.S. Rowing ($65). VBC plans to sponsor a couple of slots in the clinic (tuition only, not membership to U.S. Rowing) for individuals who commit to coaching or teaching programs for the club. If you have any interest in the clinic (either sponsored or unsponsored), let me know and I'll get you more details.
Head of the James
Please make sure that you've marked October 11 on your calendar for the Head of the James at Robious Landing. The 5K race is a fun event and the weather is always great (famous last words). Whether you race or would like to help out, please plan to participate to make this another great club event.
And Finally . . .
As we move into late summer, a number of you have been asking about a club picnic and holiday party (some people start planning early!). If you would like to volunteer to organize these social events (or better yet be the club's Social Committee Chair), please let me know. We need to have someone step forward to take the lead on this.
Whew! That's a lot of information, but I had quite a bit to report to you. Keep up your rowing this fall and use the base you built this summer. The weather is finally turning nice and we will soon have those glorious cool mornings and evenings to enjoy our rowing.
Take care and see you on the water.
Mark
Mark Willis
President, Virginia Boat Club
