Port Rowing Competes in "Stereo"

Port Rowing competed simultaneously in 2 states on Saturday, October 7. Showing force on Long Island, Port Rowing brought home 6 medals at the Head Oyster Bay Regatta. Both the Middle School and High School junior varsity teams raced against other local teams. All 3 of the Port Rowing Middle School boats competing in the morning took home medals; the boys quad took the silver and the girls 8 earned a bronze, and the boys 8 getting the gold. Middle School Coach, Anne Ross, said, “It was a great way to kick off their rowing careers.”

Afternoon weather conditions challenged the High School varsity rowers, but they faced the winds with gritty determination. The junior varsity boys’ 8-person boat and the boys novice 8 both won silver medals in their 5K events. The smaller 4-person boys boat took home a bronze medal as well.

Coach Mike Small, and board member of Friends of Port Rowing, said, “For many of the athletes, this was their first rowing competition. All of the Port Rowing athletes came off the water with smiles on their faces - enthusiastic about their performance, and rowing in general.”

Across state lines, the varsity women’s team and the men’s varsity boats competed at the Head of the Housatonic in Shelton, CT. The daylong event held races for high school and collegiate teams. Port Rowing alumni attending Yale and Columbia competed for their respective college teams while current Port Rowing families and teammates cheered them on from the shore. Facing some of the best clubs in the northeast, Port Rowing placed in the top 10 in 8 of the 12 events, confirming a spot for 2018.

The conditions were ideal on the Housatonic River, but the greatest obstacle for the rowers is the grueling 5-kilometer race. Boats are timed with staggered starts. The race requires up to 20 minutes of intense physical determination, the rowers must also focus mentally to excel. Men’s Head Coach and Director of Rowing, Michiel Bartman, says of the rowers, “Each rower must put aside his own fatigue and commit fully to his or her boat mates from start to finish. The rowers did a great job at both races, showing their strength and grit. I was overall very pleased with their results.”

About Port Rowing

Port Rowing is a no-cut, community program and welcomes all who are interested in learning to row. Rowing is an opportunity to build endurance, personal ability, courage, strength and teamwork. Port Rowing’s boathouse is located in North Hempstead Beach Park and offers multiple opportunities to participate in and benefit from the sport of rowing. The mission is to provide the platform to build a passion for the sport and for each rower to maximize his or her potential. To learn more, visit www.portrowing.org.