Roadie: Columbia Crew at Collins Cup

With Spring Break and a long Easter weekend looming, Anne and I made the road trip to New Jersey to watch Gregory and the Columbia Heavyweight Crew squad compete with Rutgers for the Collins Cup. Given my cross-country and Track and Field coaching schedules, this was the first opportunity I have had to see him row in a collegiate race so we took advantage of it. During the spring season, regatta's consist of "sprints," or head-to-head, match-ups which also make for a more interesting spectator experience. We stayed at a hotel near Overpeck Park, in Leonia, New Jersey, where Columbia University's Spring season practices and sprint regattas are housed at their "Boathouse West."

Roadie: 2013 St. Catharines Regatta

The RJRC U23 8+ Mens team launches for the final race of the day. (7/20/13)

Yesterday was Day 1 of the St. Catharines Invitational on Henley Island in Canada at which the   Rochester Junior Rowing Club (RJRC) had a number of boats entered to compete. For my stepson, Greg, this was his last official "scholastic" row before leaving for Columbia University in a month, though he was not competing in a scholastic category. Because he and most of his boat mates recently graduated from high school, and are over 18 years old, they have been competing in the U23 (under 23) category this summer with a few 16 and 17 year olds on the team. Given their relative youth, and physical maturity, the competition this summer has been challenging, but goals and personal expectations have been reasonable enough not to feel as though it has been a waste of time.

Henley Island is a popular regatta site. (7/20/13)

As both a scholastic rower at McQuaid high school, and during previous summer row seasons, Greg has competed a number of times in St. Catharines. His mother, father and I have made the two hour trip west to Canada quiet a few times in the past five years, and this particular venue is always enjoyable despite the occasional hot and/or rainy weather conditions. Today was no different, though mercifully, there were a number of shaded areas from which one could find reprieve from the strong sun and heat.

Pushing off. (7/20/13)

The U23 Men 8+ race was the final of the afternoon and only two boats were entered. As was the case last week, the RJRC boat, which included Greg, a high school teammate of his as well as some member of the Pittsford Rowing Club (which runs RJRC), was a considerable underdog. The other boat, Row Ontario, consists of members of the Canadian National Rowing Team. As a wrote earlier, VERY talented competition has been on the schedule this summer.

Despite tough competition, the boys row on... (7/20/13)

... through the finish. (7/20/13)

While one doesn't go into any race with the intention to be bested, sometimes it is just a matter of acknowledging the difficulty of a race and putting forth best effort to demonstrate your own development. The RJRC U23 8+ did not win (in truth, it wasn't really close), but given the clear disadvantages (experience, size, maturity) the boys did row well. Much of this summer has been about focusing on improvement and looking for opportunities to garner some individual and team success from racing against clearly superior team talent.

The race winner, the boat from Row Ontario, exits the "playing field". (7/20/13)

Another beautiful Saturday, another solid workout/race. (7/20/13)

Though RJRC will be competing back at this site in two weeks as part of the Canadian Henley Royal Regatta, today was Greg's final row. With college on the horizon and a lengthy work schedule, he will be stepping aside from the team. This was the third summer season that Greg rowed (including two for RJRC) and each season has been beneficial for a number of different reasons, beyond the chance to compete against top talent. Most importantly this year, it gave him greater sense of what sort of training is necessary in addition to team practices to be a successful rower at the next level.
 

Carrying the boat to be derigged. (7/20/13)

Derigging and preparing for transport of the shells back to Rochester. (7/20/13)

Greg and I prior to his race. (7/20/13)

Au revoir! (7/20/13)

McQuaid's Varsity 4A at the 2013 Pittsford Regatta

At the finish line for the semi-final against Albany. (5/26/13)

This past Memorial Day weekend was my stepson's last scholastic regatta for McQuaid Jesuit High School in Rochester, New York. (McQuaid Crew is sponsored by Friends of Scholastic Crew (FoSC).) Last year one of the boat's in which Greg rowed did make it to Nationals, but this year things did not come together as well. While it would have been preferable to have qualified to row in the Scholastic Rowing Association of America National Championship Regatta in Camden, New Jersey, it was great to have the team competing locally. Both the fall and spring seasons concluded on the Erie Canal at Pittsford Regattas, and this final season would be no different. On Saturday Gregory rowed in a the McQuaid Varsity 8A, making it to semifinals, and failing to medal.


Rowing down to the start line of the 1100 meter Erie Canal course. (5/26/13)

Unable to attend the Saturday races, I made a point of being at the Sunday portion. Sunday's races would find boys competing in "fours" and girls in "eights," the opposite of previous day's races. As a spectator sport, spring crew is generally more interesting than fall season as following the first round of time trials, all the semis and finals are head-to-head. The teams participating this year were very strong, especially a resurgent boys program from the neighboring canal town of Fairport.


The Erie Canal is fairly narrow at points, so boats had to be careful when heading to
the start, as well as when competing. (5/26/13)

The Varsity 4A, consisting of Greg, seniors Cameron Pizzo, Andrew Dardaris, and underclassman Steven Gerringer, had to accept a challenging task if they were to make it to finals this year. In addition to host Pittsford, and the aforementioned Fairport club, teams from Albany, Cascadilla and Brighton, among others, were in attendance.

McQuaid Varsity coxswain Grant Gifford during time trials. (5/26/13)

Racing to a third place finish in the time trial (5/26/13)

Finishing the trials in great position (5/26/13)

The boat got off to a strong start placing third overall, behind Albany (4:23.94) and Fairport (4:21.34), with a time of 4:25.01. The race launched shortly before 8:30 a.m. and went of just before 9:00 a.m. One of the challenges of rowing is the long periods between races. Thought he time does allow for some recovery time, psychologically, it can seem like quite a bit of time to wait to get at it again. After getting the boat out of the water, there is little else for the student-athletes to do than commiserate with one another and maybe grab a light snack before the next race. One always hopes there is a "next race" as that suggest that things went well. Some teams/boats are done after the trial, which is a disappointment for spectators and student-athletes, many of whom have been waiting around since the early morning hours of the day to compete.

Carrying the boat back following the trials. (5/26/13)

Heading out for the semifinals race with Albany. (5/26/13)

The semifinals featured the first head-to-head competition of the day for our Varsity Boys 4A boat, a race in which they drew a strong Albany team. The semifinals use the trial times to seed the semifinals so: #1 races #4, and #2 (Albany) rows against #4, McQuaid. If both were to "row to their seed," McQuaid would be done for the day and Albany would move on to head-to-head racing against #1 Faiport. In what was a tremendous race, the McQuaid boat defied the teams pattern of  performance for the meet (running even until the last 20 meters, then being passed by stronger boats) and nosed out Albany for the win. As you can see in the picture at the top of the post, the win was a close one. McQuaid's boat finished in 4:30.8, just ahead of Albany who came in at 4:32.1.

Heading back to the starting line for the final race. (5/26/13)

Crossing the finish just behind Fairport... but greater things are ahead for all these boys. (5/26/13)

The finals against Fairport went as seeded, which means that despite rowing well, the McQuaid 8A earned  silver. Given the struggles this spring season, a second place finish in a close race to a better boat is not such a tragedy, I suppose. Fortunately for those boys graduating, they were able to conclude their scholastic careers with not just a Pyrrhic victory of sorts, but also a silver medal and memories of a fine day o the water.

A tired boat savors the spectators encouraging cheers. (5/26/13)

Many of the fantastic alumni families and rowers were on hand to cheer on and congratulate the boys between races and after finals. It was great to see many of the faces that first greeted my wife and I when Greg started five years ago, little knowing how good the sport would be to him and his teammates. Much pride can be taken away by these lads who began middle school (and rowing) knowing little about the sport, but graduate as seasoned and accomplished veterans.

The four rowers (minus coxswain Gifford who had a prom to attend) receive their silver medals. (5/26/13)

Au Revoir! (5/26/13).

With the boats are loaded back on the trailer for the last time, another page is turned. For seniors who will be graduating next weekend, this was their last regatta. Next weekend, the underclassmen head to Canada for their last regatta of the season, and their first as the upperclassmen-cum-upperclassmen of McQuaid Crew.

McQuaid's Senior 8 at 2013 NYSSRA Championships

The conclusion of the Boys Senior 8 semi-final heat won by St. Anthony's (5/10/13).

My stepson Gregory and his school's crew team, McQuaid Jesuit High School, made their annual trip to Saratoga Springs, New York, to participate in the 2013 Scholastic Rowing Championships. Sponsored by New York State Scholastic Rowing Association, the head-to-head sprint finals format makes for an interesting spectator experience, especially for one such as myself who is unschooled in the nuances of competitive rowing.

 

While I greatly appreciate the stamina and technical skills necessary to row (well), this is primarily due to the competitive similarities between rowing and running. Many of the fall season races (and seeding races at this meet as well) are timed races solely for seeding purposes. Like early heats in a track and field meet, those who are expected to move onto semis may give just enough effort to gain a favorable seeding lane. Though I'm certain each team rows all out, not being able to visually see the teams row against one another (and knowing they'll be back hours later for the head-to head) makes the viewing a little less intense.

In the four years that Gregory had been rowing, and attending the Scholastic Championships, this was the first time I had been able to attend. In years past the track team I coach would be competing on this weekend, but due to a new track being installed I was able to make the trip down. I had often heard stories of mud pits, rain and generally in hospitable conditions, so I had expected the worst. Fortunately, the weather was relatively pleasant with only intermittent drizzle and wind--of course, only when racing was commencing. During the scheduled (and unscheduled) breaks in action the sun came out and it was a lovely Spring day.

A bridge to somewhere: the NYS Scholastic Rowing Championship site (5/10/13).

For those who are unfamiliar with the popularity of competitive rowing (like I was until I rooting interest in the matter) the swollen roadway into the park where the boats launched is reminder enough of the number of spectators who turn out. Though the race is at "Saratoga Springs", the rowing takes place on Fish Creek, a fairly large "creek" that flows into Saratoga Lake.

Primo viewing locale for the finish of each race (5/10/13).

For McQuaid's Senior 8 initial heat, I remained at our tent site to take pictures. Traditionally at regatta's there are bridges on which spectators and photographers stand to snap pictures. I sat out the first race with the understanding that I'd have at least the semis to stake out a location on the bridge. McQuaid was fortunate to have a tent location nearly at the finish with no obstructions such as boat docks or overgrown riversides to get in the way of viewing.

Time trial finale (5/10/13).

The return lane for boats that had recently concluded their heat was in between the shore the race, which his why this picture looks like 1) the boys are rowing against girls and 2) going the wrong direction. This image was taken immediately following their heat which is why the oars are up. Soon they will drift below the bridge and turn around for their return to the launch area.

Returning to the launch for a roughly four-hour break before semis (5/10/13).

McQauid families enjoying a choice location and lots of grub (5/10/13).

One of the great selling points for families to get involved with crew is the camaraderie that develops. The center of activity at any high school regatta (beyond the body of water on which serves as the field of competition) is the team hospitality tent. Because parents and rowers regularly arrive during the early morning hours, coffee and bagels are usually available. Throughout the day, two larger meals are served, while drinks and snacks are also on hand for noshing daylong. Families take turns volunteering their time and resources to prepare food for the team and their families. Today's regatta was no different in that the tent offered a place to reconnect with friends and family, as well as serving as a dry "island" in the occasional patches of drizzle that came through Saratoga.

"Fours" and "eights" are derigged for the trip home as teams conclude competition (5/10/13).

In between races I enjoy wandering around the regatta site, or (as I later did) sneaking back to the car for a little nap. While my wife and I were touring the trailer area, I plainly heard an announcer "calling the heats," much like at horse race, through large speakers. I wish this had been broadcast more widely as it raised the level of excitement and gave the event a more professional, lively feel.

The view of spectators from the bridge (5/10/13).

 

The official finish line wherein technology helps determine who the winners are (5/10/13).



The view of boats lining up at the start in anticipation of the start (5/10/13).

From the bridge the racing lanes are very visible. It's the coxswain's job to ensure that the boat stays in it's lane and on course. Most think that the coxswain has the easiest job as he or she doesn't row, but staying the course is not as easy as it appears.


Just like in track, boats (like sprinters) end up seeded where they belong (5/10/13).

Just like a sprint in track, the faster boats earn the right to compete from the center lanes. Unlike track the advantage is clear, in the center lanes, a boat is less likely to be slowed by the wake of its competitors. Note the officials cruising along in "launches." Similar launches are sued by coaches during practice to coach athletes regarding form and pace.



In track we woudl say "everyone ran to their seed" (5/10/13).

Here, everyone rows to their respective seeds (5/10/13).

Gregory and his teammates after the race (5/10/13).

 

It didn't take a trip to the results trailer to know we'd come up just a little short... (5/10/13).

After last year's third place bronze medal-winning performance, which ended with the Boys Junior 8 boat (with Greg), earning a trip to Nationals in New Jersey, anything less than a return trip would be viewed by some as a failure. Despite being disappointed at not meeting that lofty goal, there was still  much to celebrate, not the least of which being the culmination his four years of hard training and growth. The dedication of Greg and his teammates certainly made a believer out of me and fostered for all involved an appreciation and affection for the previously mysterious world of competitive rowing.

Full results from the New York Scholastic Rowing Championships for all races are available here.