Happy Memorial Day!

The long weekend is over but it seems the heat and humidity are going to stick around a bit longer. That's fine as long as the wind doesn't. As long as we can keep putting boats out on the water, we're happy!

Make sure to get your tickets to our fundraiser on Wednesday June 15th! We're taking a ferry to Cuttyhunk Island and back from 6-8pm and the ticket sales go to NBCR so that we can replenish our damaged fleet of boats. Join us!!

www.newbedfordcommunityrowing.org

We've got tough kids..

So yesterday was a fun practice for the kids as we had some coxswains learning to row, and girls that had never sculled go out in doubles. One of the doubles flipped, however, and there was an opportunity to teach them how to get back in a boat. Morgan Teixeira and DeAnna Dang had huge smiles on their faces and they said the water was actually quite nice. I love it. They had great attitudes and were having fun with the whole thing. We've got some great kids and I love coaching them :)

Great News!

When it rains it really pours, so they say. Not only have we gotten great news about Andrew and his future in rowing, but the adults had an amazing practice this morning and we somehow managed to be on the water during the only break in the fog. But also, I got a call today from Michelle Murray who has read about NBCR in the paper (thanks Standard-Times!) and wants to become a supporter! She's a member of a book club and every time the club meets, they put money in a hat. When they get a substantial amount of money, they donate it to a local charity. Not only have they chosen NBCR, but they contacted the Women's Fund (who has given us a $5000 grant for girls programming!) and the Women's Fund will match Michelle's donation!! This is fantastic news as there are several girls on the team that could use a scholarship. Many are on scholarship already but there are others that are either having a tough time making payments or the scholarship isn't enough. So this will be great news for our rowers!!! Thank you Michelle, the book club, and the Women's Fund!!

HE DID IT!!

That's right - Andrew made the cut. I spoke with Rick Brown - the Head Coach of the Junior Development Camp - yesterday and he officially invited Andrew to Dev Camp!!! Way to go, Andrew!! We're all so proud of you!!

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110525/SPORTS/105250319/-1/NEWSMAP

Andrew Pereira

Great news! The Standard-Times wrote an article about our very own Andrew Pereira. He's been doing a great job and it's wonderful to see his accomplishments get recognition. It's also great for our sport and our club, both of which are mostly unknown to the area.

Great job, Andrew!! And the rest of our rowers are also amazing. Good things are happening here!

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110523/SPORTS/105230306/-1/NEWS01

Yay Adult Rowers at The Mayor's Cup!

We had our adult rowers compete in Providence at The Mayor's Cup Regatta hosted by Narragansett Boat Club. They had a women's master 8+ and a mixed master 8+ entered. Thank you to Cape Cod Rowing for loaning us a trailer to take our boat out there!! Bonnie Lippencott did a great job driving the trailer and David Filipek was the hero my loaning his truck when he couldn't even race. What amazing members we have!

Job well done to all of our rowers!!!

Great News!!

So not only is Walter Chang great for giving us money to purchase a used four, but he's flexible as well. He gave me a range in which I could spend and he's willing to either purchase a 4+ for us, or give me a certain amount to spend on more than one 4+. Well, I'm a sneaky little devil at times and so I've been doing some research.

Our rowers are awesome and I wanted to find a boat that is worthy of them - not just something that will do. We're nearing our first full year of existence and thus our rowers aren't going to all be novices anymore. I need to find a boat that can be a "racing" boat for them - the kids and adults alike.

Then comes the dilemma of having a really nice boat but having to use it for Learn-To-Row programming because we don't have enough to fill an 8+. Racing fours are often what's called "bowloaded" where the coxswain is lying down in the bow of the boat rather than sitting in the stern of the boat. This wouldn't be good for beginners and I would also worry about the boat getting banged up with 'newbies'.

SO - I found 2 fantastic racing boats for a good price but pretty much at the limit of my given budget. One boat is local but they won't budge on the price. The other is a year newer but down in DC. They, however, are flexible on the price. I also found an older boat that is similar to the yellow 4+ that was damaged in the wind storm. This boat is in Shrewsbury, MA and would be perfect for our Learn-To-Rows.

After some negotiating, Potomac Rowing Club in DC gave me 10% off the price of their boat, may give us 4 oars to go with it for free, AND will transport the boat to Philly at no charge! The boat in Shrewsbury will bring me just a hair over my budget but we're close enough that we're going to do it.

Yes, that's right folks - thanks to Walter Chang's donation, and the generosity of Ed Ryan in DC, and my wiley ways...WE'RE GOING TO BE GETTING TWO (new-to-us) BOATS!!!!

I feel so blessed and I'm so happy to be getting a boat that our rowers are going to love. They deserve it and I couldn't be happier!!