Rowing
I have competitively rowed with Riverfront Recapture every season over the last 3 years, competing at the largest regional regattas in the American Northeast in every boat size. I have been actively engaged in increasing Watkinson membership at Riverfront, helping to grow the Wat presence from 2 (my brother and me) to a peak of eleven, and currently, we have seven members. I have also received the Boys Varsity Coach's Award for three total seasons. Below are some key aspects of my rowing experience, as well as my favorite boats to row.
Our Boathouse
Completed in 2002, the Greater Hartford Jaycees Community Boathouse serves as the base for our Youth, Adult, Masters, and Recreational rowing teams alongside many other activities run by the Riverfront Recapture non-profit organization. The Boathouse is also built on a floodplain, with annual waters reaching halfway up the boat bay doors (20 feet above sea level).
2x (Double)
The double, a blind and sculling boat, requires me, the bow seat, to turn around during the stroke and steer. This boat requires a greater deal of concentration and timing than other, larger boats, necessitating effective length and boat speed over raw power. I most recently raced it at the Narragansett Sweeps and Sculls Regatta, where we placed 3rd behind two other Riverfront entries.
2- (Pair)
The pair is the most technically challenging boat, with youth events held only during the spring. My partner, Ryan, and I have only raced the pair in the Summer and Fall, competing in Men's Open/U23 races against collegiate crews, consistently holding our own. Our closest finish to date was against Lehigh University in the Men's Open 2x/2- at the Head of the Housatonic, where we beat them by 0.215 seconds over the windy 4,200-meter course, still finishing two minutes behind first place, the New Zealand Olympic Double.
4x (Blind Quad)
The Blind Quad, while it is a more unorthodox boat, is one of the most enjoyable due to its being inherently faster than all other boats except 8s. It also has a larger offering of mixed events, or events where every boat need be a 50/50 split of both sexes making it, while not the most competive boat at Riverfront, one of the most fun.
4+ (Coxed Four)
The coxed four, a sweep boat with four rowers and a coxswain, is the main boat at Riverfront. Each rower has a greater direct impact on the boat's set than in an 8, with an experienced 4+ able to keep pace. I most recently rowed in the 2v4+, finishing in the top quarter at the Head of the Riverfront and Fish this fall.
A Reflection
Crew is an essential part of my life because of the teamwork and mindset required to move a boat. In most other sports, individuality can, in some way, still lead to success, but in crew, not a single man moves a single meter unless everyone moves in perfect sync with absolute focus through a 2,000-meter race or a 16,000-meter practice.