One Rower's Thoughts About The Agganis Arena

[[old] kjgress]

Big thanks to the C2 folks for everything. Everyone I saw with a volunteer shirt or as a C2 representative was cheerful and helpful. <br /><br /> There are always good and bad points about trying new things. I liked the race and warm-up erg set ups. The big screens were great. I was only slightly annoyed when they showed video clips during the races I was really interested in; what I really wanted was the race screen throughout the race but as they always went back to it for the last 500 or so, it was only slightly a problem. I didn't have a problem with the humidity; actually it felt really good. I had almost no "erg cough." (Although I do live in an area where the relative humidity is around 40%). It was nice to have the food courts and the accessibility from the "T" was very convenient. It was also more comfortable for spectators. My favorite change is having the racing on Saturday rather than Sunday. Having to travel home right after the race meant missing all the afternoon events as well as ending up at home as stiff as a board. It would've been helpful to have better posted directions for getting places in the venue. When I came in I went up a different stairway and went the wrong way for registration. I asked 2 different people for directions and each gave me a different answer and neither were right (they weren't C2 volunteers, but ushers from the venue). <br /><br />Keep up the good work C2 guys!

[[old] dennish]

Good stuff all around. The entire C2 crew was extraordinary and helpful. the volunteers were also to be congratulated. Lots of work and few rewards. The set up was good. I thought it was particulalry insightful to turn the ergs after the front 16 to face the stands so if you had someone racing there you could get right in front of them and cheer them on. Where Karen and I live is semi arid desert on a topographical map so my reaction was "dry?, what are you kidding me? This feels great" and the altitude thing. whew what a great way to be able to do it. Train and live at 7800 feet and race a sea level. There was so much oxygen in that place I thought I might just give up hard breathing. Persoanl thanks to Lisa W, Bill, Noel and Sean all of whom made a point to come over and say congrats. And I was so struck by the adaptive races I was standing the whole time. Special kudos to C2 and everyone who made it possible for those four people to race, make us humble and appreciative of what we've got, and inspire us by thier grit and courage. Great day. dennis

[[old] mpukita]

<!--quoteo(post=57517:date=Feb 27 2006, 06:09 PM:name=johnnybike)--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(johnnybike @ Feb 27 2006, 06:09 PM) </b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>I thought the venue was excellent, easy to find on the T and not too far out of town.<br />Plenty of room and comfortable. Plenty of warm-up machines which was my main concern.<br /><br />The air was dry but not terribly and it certainly did not affect my row.<br /><br />I liked the t-shirts and the mugs. Disapointed that Xeno was not displaying as I wanted a couple of t-shirts/mugs etc from him. Yeah I know I could order by mail but then hassle with customs/tax and paying postage.<br /><br />To put a slightly different perspective on the event. As a first-timer, travelling from the UK it was great. My wife (a non-rower) and I both enjoyed the trip. I would like to compete there again next year but it is unlikely as we will not want to visit Boston again a year later. A great city but the world is a big oyster and if WIRC was in a different city then we would be tempted.<br /><br />As I said a slight slant on the original thread.<br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Interesting idea John ... move WIRC from city to city in the US to give everyone some variety ... <b>very interesting</b>.<br />

[[old] FrankJ]

This is my 4th CRASH-B and I really like the Agganis Arena. Easy to get to and underground parking ( I drive to the race). The food court was handy and the vendor area out front seemed to work really well. I helped out at the RowPro booth off and on during the day and was always busy demoing and talking to people. <br /><br />What I didn't like was the dry air and I thought it was too warm. My rowing room is about 65 degrees and I open windows if I'm doing a longer row. I was suffering from the remnants of a cold this year and the dry air really irritated my throat and lungs. Please see if you can have a more humidity in the air next year. <br /><br />One other thing that it is really not Concept 2's fault is that a lot of people left there bags occupy some prime front row center seating. How about being sporting about this and leave your baggage in the upper seats off to the sides or find the lockers and leave them there.<br /><br />Enough complaining. Overall it was one great event. <br /><br />Frank

[[old] truman1987]

I happened to be at the Reggie Lewis and the Agganis on Saturday. Great track meet after the row, National Indoor Championships. I wasn't at the Crash-Bs last year so I can't compare. I thought it was all great.<br /><br />I will say that I had a sore throat after my race as well. I thought it was just my lungs collapsing, but it certainly could have been the humidity. Could have used easier access to water. Plenty of warmup machines.<br /><br />In earlier races the JumboTron shifted between all of the rowers, but by midday it only showed the elite racers. I wanted to see the screens during my row. I'd have the screens face the rowers and the JumboTron shift between the races for the spectators.<br /><br />Big thanks to all who helped put it together. I'll be back next year.

[[old] rspenger]

Dry air? It is all a matter of perspective. The norm here in Big Pine is 30%.<br /><br />Bob S.

[[old] kinley]

<br />Agannis is a very impressive venue, but I did miss the pageantry of watching the crowds circulate at Reggie Lewis, seeing all the team apparel from far-away places. This year people scurried from place to place through a concourse that had all the charm of an airport terminal. No view of the event even. Just a concrete hallway to jostle through. <br /><br />In a similar vein, if the warm up area had been separated from the race ergs by a barricade, rather than a floor-to-ceiling curtain, spectators could have watched the entire spectacle at once.<br /><br />Even so, a great race, and very well organized.

[[old] davidpmcintyre]

somebody else mentioned getting a sore throat from the dry air in the agganis arena. i've had a sore throat ever since then. i thought it was due to dry air, but then a *** DELETE - SPAM *** and cough drops didn't help. the doctor just told me i had a minor viral infection. anybody else have that?