Head Of The Charles

[[old] Canoeist]

I raced the head of the Connecticut yesterday. After waiting at the start line for over an hour for logs to be cleared from the course, we got off. We had to row a bit harder than paddle pressure just to keep from being swept downstream while we waited. Many of the marker bouys were pushed underwater from the curerrent.<br /><br />Going through the first bridge, I wasn't sure we were making much headway against such a stiff current where the river narrowed a bit between bridge supports. I was thinking that if the cox didn't keep the boat perfectly aligned, we would quickly slam into the abutment. We managed to get through and finished. It took us close to 30 minutes to row a distance that we should have covered in 21. I have no idea of how we placed overall, but we passed one boat and put a lot of distane between us and the next three boats behind us. This was a handicap race, so our average age of 54 should have helped us against some of the college crews.<br /><br />On the quick row downstream back to the starting line, we noticed that there were no boats around. We got back to find out that the remainder of the heats were cancelled due to dangerous conditions. Apparently several boats broke oars and flipped/swamped in the swift conditions.<br /><br />A few more practices on the Charles, and we will be ready.<br /><br />Regards,<br /><br />Paul Flack

[[old] ehagberg]

<!--QuoteBegin-Canoeist+Oct 10 2005, 07:26 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Canoeist @ Oct 10 2005, 07:26 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->This was a handicap race, so our average age of 54 should have helped us against some of the college crews.[right] <br /> </td></tr></table><br />The college crews wouldn't be in your division. Only masters races have handicaps, and college crews can't row in the masters divisions, so even if your handicap gave you a winning time, it wouldn't beat the college kids.<br /><br />In fact, I think that even within the masters divisions in the HCTR, the handicaps only count within each of the ten-year divisions (30-39, 40-49 and 50-59) and that each of those divisions has their own set of medals.<br /><br />But that race really must've been painful, going for that long against a rough current, pulling a cox.

[[old] JaapR]

<!--QuoteBegin-Canoeist+Oct 9 2005, 06:44 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Canoeist @ Oct 9 2005, 06:44 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin--><br />I row port in seat #2.  I tried starboard, but just couldn't do it because my back is permanently bent from too many years of paddling a canoe on the right side.  (my right shoulder is lower than my left.)<br /><br />Cheers,<br /><br />Paul Flack <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />That's a pity. It means we can never row a 2 , unless going round in circles. <br /><br />Success with the Head Of The Charles

[[old] dennish]

Paul, Lordy lordy. An hour wait, that should have/might have been an indication to the organizers to think about the safety of the boats out on the course. Good on you and your mates for finishing. FYI the Masters Committee of USRowing is discussing the matter of Masters handicap at our next meeting (tomorrow might, teleconference) among other things. Apparently USRowing HQ is also going to be moving to New Jersey in the next few months. I find that rather unhappy news on several counts, one, as a rower living in the rowing nether area of the Rocky Mountains it reenforces the seeming prejudice toward rowing on the east coast and two, more than likely Jody Pope won't be making the move. Thats a huge loss. As a member of USRowing and a member of the Master's Comm. I grow increasingly skeptical of the direction rowing in this country is heading. But I digress, back on topic. Good on ya, sounds like a bit of a character builder more than an race among equals. Take care and live well and strong. dennis

[[old] gorow9]

if it took you 30min that makes me feel better... (an embarassing 35min ) and that explains teh wait... that was COLD!! Also explains why there seemed to be no bouys along the island... I rowed rather zig-zagged there. When will they make a single scull with a seat for one of those "cheerleaders" now that's what I need!! <br /><br />Good luck in the CHarles! It seems like it should be an interresting and fun race... (I love to watch it)<br /><br />~Sara~

[[old] Canoeist]

We had several days of rain. The Charles is up and getting a bit of current. Friday morning we rowed the course in 18:50, yesterday we rowed the course again under much smoother conditions in 20+. We started the course right after a Harvard 4 and passed them. I am sure they liked having a bunch of old geysers pass them. There are a lot of boats on the river!<br /><br />Sara, I think our cox made a big mistake about taking the center bridge section on the way up the river. The other sections had much less current. He could have eddy hopped too instead of trying for the shortest path. I told him after the race about eddys and the way that salmon get up swift rivers with the least amount of energy. The shortest path in fast water is not necessarily the straightest line!<br /><br />Can't wait to get it over with.<br /><br />Cheers,<br /><br />Paul Flack

[[old] Canoeist]

Our race went well. We rowed hard together, passed two boats, didn't get passed, and I didn't crab, so I can't complain. <br /><br />We ended up 11th out of 19 starts and were 9.25% off the lead time. We have a lot of work to do for next year!<br /><br />Cheers,<br /><br />Paul Flack

[[old] Bayko]

Good job Paul. I'm sorry I missed it. Saturdays are wordays for retailers.<br /><br />Now with the rain I'm wimping out on the Sunday too. I'm alternating doing the laundry and internet surfing instead.<br /><br />It will be interesting to see if this real rowing now changes your attitude toward the erg to the same distain that many other real rowers seem to have for it. <br /><br />Rick

[[old] Canoeist]

Quite to the contrary. After being on the water, I have a bit of a distain for "real" rowers. They don't know how to train or how to push themselves to the limit every day. How else would a 49 year old guy whip the entire competitve squad, youn and old, of a fairly competitive boat house? My hope is to get some of these guys on the erg this winter and to get them into "real" shape for the next season.<br /><br />Cheers,<br /><br />Paul Flack

[[old] Byron Drachman]

Hi Paul,<br />Can I tell you about the Head of the Grand (River, Lansing, Michigan), rather than the Head of the Charles?<br /><br />I was in the Head of the Grand today. The event today was 3.5K, from the Waverly Bridge to the MLK Bridge. The weather was absolutely perfect. It was cool, no wind, the water was flat, and the colors along the Grand River are spectacular right now. The stroke seat was a recent college graduate who did crew in high school and college. Next was Erin Robertson:<br /><br /><a href='http://msuspartans.collegesports.com/sp ... 05aac.html' target='_blank'>http://msuspartans.collegesports.com/sp ... tml</a><br /><br />I was next in the boat, and then the bow seat was Ravi, who rowed in India. Since I've been rowing on water since the middle of June, I was not comparable to these rowers. Needless to say, I had a fast ride and tried to blend in as best I could. We beat the other team of 4, a college team, easily. Dang, that was fun to be in a fast boat. The other rowers were of the ages of children or grandchildren, and it was nice of them to let a geezer ride along. What a thrill to go that fast.<br /><br /><!--QuoteBegin--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->4 person rowboat that also carries a tiny passenger laying down in the front who acts as a driver and cheerleader. </td></tr></table> <br /><br />From the Art of Sculling by Joe Paduda, copyright 1992 by Ragged Mountain Press:<br /><br /><!--QuoteBegin--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Coxswain, or cox'n, or simply cox: The human baggage in sweep boats who exists to tell sweep rowers what to do and when to do it; also steers the boat. Real purpose of this person is hard to discern since scullers perform quite well in his absence. </td></tr></table> <br /><br />Byron

[[old] Mike McGuirk]

<!--QuoteBegin-Canoeist+--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Canoeist)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Our race went well.  We rowed hard together, passed two boats, didn't get passed, and I didn't crab, so I can't complain.  <br /><br />We ended up 11th out of 19 starts and were 9.25% off the lead time.  We have a lot of work to do for next year!<br /><br />Cheers,<br /><br />Paul Flack<br /> </td></tr></table><br /><!--QuoteBegin-Canoeist+--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Canoeist)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->After being on the water, I have a bit of a distain for "real" rowers. </td></tr></table><br />Good going, Paul. First race ever, right? Wow! That's a good start and in a highly competitive field in a very prestigious event.<br /><br />Your "disdain" for "real" rowers is a little strong - atypical for the consummate gentleman that you usually project on the forum. I do agree that there a lot of rowers out there, especially masters, that aren't training as seriously as many of us and who could benefit from an offseason of erging. But that's their choice. There are also a whole lot of very serious Masters rowers at the National and International level who train year round and erg as much as row, use the erg for testing and monitoring performance, etc. Look around. Many of them were at the Head of the Charles. Many of them are rowing out of Clubs in the BOS area. You might want to poke around some more and see if you can link up with a more competitive group. As you say, the other alternative is to try to inspire your own group to train better and harder. While they are working on it, with your talent and competitiveness, you should find a more compatible group. You can do that and still support and encourage your current group but I think you'll discover that there are already some pretty high powered Masters rowing programs out there waiting for you.<br />MM

[[old] Mike McGuirk]

<!--QuoteBegin-Bayko+--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Bayko)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Good job Paul.  I'm sorry I missed it.  Saturdays are wordays for retailers.<br /><br />Now with the rain I'm wimping out on the Sunday too.  I'm alternating doing the laundry and internet surfing instead.<br />...<br /><br />Rick<br /> </td></tr></table><br />Rick - I discovered I was staying with some folks that live only 10 minutes or so from Newburyport! They live in the Boxford/Georgetown MA area. Next time I'm up there, I'll try to get up and visist.<br />MM<br /><br />PS My 50+ eight came in 6th of 31 and made the 5% cut. We were well pleased.<br /><br />

[[old] Bayko]

<!--QuoteBegin-Mike McGuirk+Oct 24 2005, 02:17 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Mike McGuirk @ Oct 24 2005, 02:17 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Rick - I discovered I was staying with some folks that live only 10 minutes or so from Newburyport! They live in the Boxford/Georgetown MA area. Next time I'm up there, I'll try to get up and visist.<br />MM<br /><br />PS My 50+ eight came in 6th of 31 and made the 5% cut. We were well pleased. <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br /><br />That would be great. If you don't mind terrible coffee, I have a pot in the back.<br /><br />Best of all would be if you could come in January when the NE2KC is being held.<br /><br />Congrats on the fine race, it's neat how you guys get around to so many regattas.<br /><br />Rick

[[old] dennish]

Paul and Mike, Well done. The HOC is a very unique race. Its my considered opinion that every rower should try and get there at least once. After that its sort of a personal call. I've been a couple of times, enjoyed the race immensely, hated the scene. Lines between the elite teams and the ones just giving it their best was a bit over the top for me, but the race itself was spectacular. I had great weather both times and couldn't have enjoyed the effort more. But again, congrats to both on fine efforts. dennis

[[old] joanvb]

I saw quite a few indoor racers at the Head of the Charles, and it's fun to read here who else was there (and sorry I missed them!)....Here's another report about Forumites who competed...<br /><br />Our Long Beach Rowing Association Women's Masters 8 won the Head of the Charles Masters Women's 8 (40+) event for the third time in a row (and for the fourth time out of the past five). All of us train on the erg (this year we even requested a 5K time from everyone in August...just as a little motivation!). We don't all currently compete on the erg...Most (if not all) of us prefer water rowing, but we appreciate all the benefits of indoor rowing and racing. <br /><br />Forumites and regulars at the CRASH B's in the Long Beach 8 include Mary P, Grace M, and me. Also, Helen Frykman is a regular at the CRASH B's, but doesn't post. <br /><br />It's quite a production for our southern California contingent to get to Boston every year for the race (along with our boat and oars), and to endure the time and weather change, but (so far), we think it's been well worth the effort. <br /><br />Joan VB