The Boys in the Boat - Crew Classic

If you have not read The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown I can certainly recommend it.  Or you can wait for the 2023 release of the movie from director/producer George Clooney.

The San Diego Crew Classic is the largest regatta in the nation, with over 400 competitors here.  There are even ‘Girls in the Boats’.

Friday was for registration, staging and practice.  The large lot at Crown Point was filled with trucks and trailers and the parking lot with buses.

the boats were unloaded and staged for inspection, cleaning and assembly.

It’s not as difficult as an Ikea project, but the oar arms, seats and shoes all need to be installed.  And in the right location for the person in that station.  Here’s UC Davis at work, surprisingly, they were one of the few that proudly had their name on their boat.

Making final inspections.  The shoes are bolted to the push plate, which can rock.  The strap between the shoes is the ‘ejection’ strap.  That will release the Velcro holding the rower’s feet in the rowing shoes in the event of a capsize.

The Washington Huskies are here.  I attended briefly, but my kid brother graduated a proud husky.

Assigned seating!  It kinda has to be that way to accommodate the preferred seat and grip of each team member.

The assembled boats are moved to their team’s area.  With luck, an area with shade.

But most areas lack shade

When the assembly and inspection is complete, it’s time for testing.  Friday afternoon the boats are in the water to test the equipment and run the course.

The ever popular Beer Garden is now double walled to prevent smuggling out a beverage.

Some teams have their own tent to hang out in.

While the smaller schools will share facilities.  This lunch is set up for Freedom Rows, an exhibition team helping US Vets.

The boat in the center is a 4-person without a Coxswain.  It’s the cox job to make sure the team executes the race strategy or make any needed tactical changes.

So many boats yet to be staged.

On my bike ride back the Friday afternoon gang was in their usual shady spot.  Mostly fun country or clogging music.

Saturday Race Day!

It’s really hard to tell the teams apart with 8 racing lanes.  And they are FAST!

The race course is 2000 yards from Ski Beach to Crown point.  Trying to keep pace with your boyfriend’s team is not easy.

San Diego State’s gals won their heat, with the Long Beach Sharks gals last.  I mention this ‘cause grandgirl Kg goes to The Beach.  Maybe she might have to crew.

There are two chase boats for each race. I thought they were for rescue, nope!  They are the judges to ensure each race is fair and safe.

I was rooting for this yellow boat in the foreground.  It’s the Netherlands Nereus Club rowing team!  A long way from home.  And they won!  

The easiest way to watch the regatta is on the ultra-big screen in the food court.

More appropriately the Food Truck Court.

The screen also shows the race info and lane assignments.

But to feel the energy, it’s all down at the water.

The boats are tagged with their race and lane assignments.  And after the race some energy has to be saved to carry it all back up to the staging area.

The Texas gals warming up on the Spin Cycles.  I sat next to a fella my age who crewed for Santa Barbara as did his son, who now coaches Texas.  Wish I had made the connection while I was talking to him.  That’s three generations of crew.   Good Luck Texas!

And Vendors …

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Nothing I needed ...

After the finals tomorrow the winner will have their names engraved on the Trophy.

That was my day, it was a good one.  Fran went up to watch some LPGA thing … yawn!, but she enjoyed it. 

Hope you had a good day too!