Greetings Learn to Row Participants!
 
On behalf of the Rivanna Rowing Club we want to thank you for coming out this past Saturday and participating in our annual Learn to Row event. It was great seeing so many new faces and introducing you to the great sport of rowing. We warmly invite you to take the Learn to Row sessions and look forward to rowing with you this summer!
 
Sessions begin June 4th at 5:45AM to 7:45AM and run for four weeks.
 
Should you have any questions about the program, please send me an email and we will be happy to help you.
 
See you on the water!
 
email: info@rivannarowing.org

3:30PM: RRC Board Members report to the Club, and announcement of Summer Programs.

4PM: Members (and friends, family) Pot Luck. Please bring food and drink to share. PS: Unfortunately, pets must be left at home. Thank you for your cooperation.

UVA Men's Crew, Rivanna Rowing Club and Western Albemarle High School all scored high  at the 5,000 meter Occoquan Chase on Northern Virginia's Occoquan Reservoir Sunday.

Coach Frank Biller's men led the way with a blazing 14:12 in the Open (Championship) Eight, as well as a third in that event, a first in Men's Four, and the top three places in Men's Novice Eight. UVA alumnus Matt Miller placed second in Men's Open (Championship) Singles.

Rivanna Rowing Club took first in every one of the four events it entered: Men's Single Sculls for 60 year olds (Kit Collins) and 70 year olds (Ben Bennett), and first in Women's Open Doubles (Anne Cann and Joana Rubini) and first in Women's Master  (50+) Doubles (Trina Santry and Gia DeAngelis).

The recently  formed Western Albemarle High School Crew took three of the top five places  in Junior Women's Singles (Jenny Alcorn, Samantha Mangum, and Aubrie Chaillet), and second and fifth in Junior Women's Doubles. Coach Myriam Pitts took second place in the Women's Senior Master Singles.

Next on the schedule for UVA Men's and Women's Crew and for their fellow boathouse tenant  Rivanna Rowing Club is the premier regatta of the season, Boston's Head of the Charles next weekend.  In last year's  event, with over 8,000 rowers in 1500 boats, local rowers claimed seven first or second place finishes in the three mile races.

Submitted by Kit Collins
Rivanna Rowing Club
540 448 3718
Confirm finishes on www.roninracing.com

Anne and Gia won the women's E 2x at the Henley Masters Regatta in Henley-on-Thames, England, verdict: easily. Please see HenleyMasters2011.

Anne participated in the 129th Royal Canadian Henley Regatta and won the women's F 1x, verdict: easily; the women's F 2x, verdict: easily; and the women's F 8+, verdict: easily. The 1x was her most satisfying win in that after a careful start, she walked through the competition and in a gritty performance, opening the distance to multiple lengths. Please see CanadianHenley2011.

Gia participated in the Blackburn Challenge, a 22-mile open water ocean race in Gloucester, Mass., sponsored by the Cape Ann Rowing Club and named after Howard Blackburn, the famous fisherman who survived five nights at sea with his hands frozen to the oars after his dory became separated from the mother ship during a winter storm in 1883. Gia took first place in the women's 1x class with a time of 3:00.02.

The RRC mixed 8+ (Mary Maher, Joe Vanischak, David Litherland, Dan Gilroy, Phil Jewell, Pam Murray, Diana Bower, and Andrea Kester; coxswain Clare Rannigan; average rower age 53) won the 50+ category at the Wye Island Regatta on Saturday, September 10.

With a time of 1:28:20.6, the RRC boat was the second fastest of all 18 8+s in the race -- women's, men's & mixed from ages high school through 50s. (The only faster boat was a mixed 8+ average age 40s from Hampton Roads BC).

The second RRC mixed 8+ (Mason Jewell, Arnoldo Marrero, Abigail Maynard, Lawrie Balfour, Katie Swinson, Chelsea Gottlieb, Ruthie Castellanos, and Mo Hegarty; coxswain Charlene Friel; average rower age 32) rowed a great race -- for many their first -- and medaled for sheer endurance: they rowed the most miles and discovered some spectacular real estate in the process. Their shoes are being mailed to them.

All in all it was an exciting day. Thanks to everyone for their hard rowing and commitment. Grace under pressure and good sportsmanship, especially in the younger boat. And thanks to Joe V for driving the trailer under some equally exciting circumstances.

Mary