THANK YOU to all who helped on DOCKS IN DAY! Fantastic turnout in the cold rain. April 17th 2010 we set the docks for the start of our 2010 season. Blog and Photo album will be up soon – so check back for that!
The Brattleboro Outing Club Rowing Program known as “Row Boc” finished a successful 3rd season of sculling and sweep rowing from our boathouse on Spring Tree Lane on the West River last November.
Our membership expanded with youth rowers, novice adult rowers and experienced rowers returning to the sport. The 2009 season began the first week in May on the West River and continued through November 15th with both Connecticut River and West River rows. We are so fortunate to have access to these two rivers that allow for rowing in varied conditions.
We have active local members who travel from Northfield MA and Bellows Falls to row with us!
Membership in Row Boc entitles rowers to use club equipment depending on their proven individual skill level and on a “first come first served” basis. We do not use a reservation system for certain boats at scheduled times. There are planned group rows throughout the season and we welcome all members to join in.
Each spring Row Boc joins with Putney Rowing Club to offer a Novice Clinic to attract new rowers in the area. The clinics take place at both locations with 10-12 lessons over three weeks. A variety of boats and combination are available for individuals to learn both sweep and sculling in singles, doubles, pairs, quads, and fours. Emphasis is on safety and correct rowing form, as well as care for the boats and equipment. We even had some coxswain training this year, and hope to attract an experienced coxswain for weekly group rows in the summer months. The clinics are volunteer run by highly trained and experienced coaches and are essential to our growing program.
Our Row Boc coach is available for private lessons for a fee to those who cannot attend the clinic but wish to become skilled enough to join the club.
This year Row Boc acquired three new boats bringing our fleet to include:
- Vespoli 4+ – purchased from Putney School
- Vespoli Double – from Williams College
- King – racing single/ late 80’s model. A rare and fine wooden single shell built by local master Graeme King of King Boatworks and purchased from a private owner from a BOCEF grant.
Adding to:
- Maas 24 – single training boat
- Van Dusen – Double
- Schoenbrod 4+
- Zephyr – training/learning single
Plus a couple privately owned boats that are shared with our members and some Putney Rowing Club boats that spend time in our boat house at start and end of season.
Some Statistics:
- Our sign out sheet revealed that a total of 57 people rowed 617 times this season, including 10 junior rowers
- RowBocMembership reached 44 and we welcomed 13 guests who rowed with us
- The most active 15 rowers accounted for 70% of the activity, not counting the clinic time, private lessons or junior program
- 22 different people participated in weekly sweep rows – with 7 of those only coming for the sweep rows
- The Vespoli double was taken out the most times at 111, with the single trainer coming in second at 102 times out
- The “Curtis” (King single) was rowed by 9 people, who pre-qualified to take this boat out
We are in the early stages of planning our first race on the Connecticut River – The Eakins Bridge to Bridge Pairs Race. This course would be round trip between the Chesterfield and Hinsdale Bridges with spectator viewing on the Chesterfield Bridge at the turn around. Other plans in 2010 include adding a couple boats to our fleet, further developing the Junior Row program and increasing our membership.
Anne Latchis
Row Boc Program Director
rowboc.members@gmail.com
formed to “encourage, develop, and promote family outdoor life and good fellowship.”