In this issue
- Regattas: Sprints Wrap Up, Head Races Preview
- Learn to Row
- Equipment Update
- GHRC Gear
- Lights, Camera, Action at GHRC
- Thank You Volunteers
- Boathouse Reminders
- Welcome New Members
Sprint Regatta Wrap Up
It was a job well done by GHRC crews at the 2019 TRC regatta. Though wind and rain caused several races to be cancelled, the club rowed hard under challenging conditions and came away with some well-deserved hardware. Special shout out to Catherine Langley who rowed to 3rd place in her first ever race in a single. Well done!
GHRC Medal Winners at Texas Rowing Champs:
- Mixed Masters Quad Silver: Eugene, Louis, Micki and Kerry
- Mixed Masters Double Silver: Eugene and Micki
- Mixed Masters Double Bronze: Mick and Tjitske
- Novice Masters Women's Single Bronze: Catherine
- Masters Women's Double Bronze: Micki and Rachel (GHRC, ARC composite)
Though most of us are focused on just trying to survive (or escape) the heat that goes with summer rowing in Texas, you may have noticed one single sculler who's still moving up and down the creek with definite pace and purpose. Mary Maxwell will be heading to Michigan next month to compete at the Masters National Championships, August 15-18 in Grand Rapids. With some of our diehard competitors temporarily sidelined for medical reasons, Mary will be the lone torch bearer for GHRC at the regatta this year. She'll be racing in composite entries (doubles, fours and quads) with rowers from Austin, Alexandria and ZLAC. Best of luck Mary!
Head Race Season Preview
With sprint season wrapping up for 2019, it's time for those interested in racing to switch gears for the fall. Why row in a straight line on a buoyed course for 1K when you can weave down winding rivers, between crews, and under bridges for 5K? Whole different kind of fun. If you're up to testing your mettle over longer distances, there are several regattas out there to choose from. Some details on races that aren't too far from home are previewed below. So start getting your crews together, logging those miles and planning for the regattas you'd like to attend. Let's hope the weather gods cut us some slack this season!
Fall Head Races to Consider:
Head of the Oklahoma
If you plan to attend any of these events, please consider coordinating for the club. Additional details about all upcoming regattas can be found on Regatta Central.
Learn to Row Classes
For the last six months, Abby and Derek Brown have been our fearless leaders of Learn to Row, helping expand our rowing community and bringing new members into the fold. They've done a great job of teaching the class, coordinating volunteers, and ensuring novices successfully transition into the club row routine. Their personal approach and consistent outreach has resulted in many LTR attendees joining the club. Sadly, they are moving to Maryland over the summer with their newborn twin daughters. Best of luck Brown Family, you will be missed!
Full credit also goes to our athletic director David for his ongoing efforts in boating and coaching students from LTR, and to Jere and Dee, who can always be counted on to take any seat needed for all to have an enjoyable row.
Equipment Update
Thanks to a healthy balance sheet and successful fundraiser (props to David for his dollar for dollar match), a new Hudson 'Hammerhead Super Predator' Quad is in the works for GHRC. Expected completion date is late August. You can track its progress and view some interesting video about the fabrication process by clicking on the link below.
Please send your boat name suggestions to ghrcboard@greaterhoustonrowingclub.com. Any name ideas shorter than 'Hammerhead Super Predator' will be included in a survey to be circulated later.
GHRC Gear
For those interested in sporting GHRC attire on and/or off the water, there are a number of options. In addition to the club racing kit available through Regatta Sport, you can buy T-shirts, hoodies, water bottles, etc. with the club logo on them through Cafe Press. You can access the Cafe Press store using the link below, or on the Members Only page of the GHRC website. Items on Cafe Press can be ordered at any time.
Another nice option is the club tee designed late last year by Doerte. If you'd like to be included in the next group order, please submit the Google form below. Once we have a better gauge of everyone's interest, we can send out details on ordering, sizes and cost.
The board also recently ordered a supply of custom caps and visors from BOCO Gear. We'll send word when they have arrived and are ready to purchase.
Lights, Camera, Action at GHRC
GHRC recently served as the backdrop for a video about a new collaboration between two companies in the tech innovation and healthcare industries, AT&T and Vertecore. The video features Dawson Klein, a Rice University rower who has been benefiting from this partnership. Following a car accident that injured his back, Dawson was advised to quit rowing, but he's back on the water thanks to a spinal decompression device made by Vertecore that provides ‘on the go’ pain relief. Jessica Autrey, herself a former GHRC member, is part of the team at AT&T Foundry that is working with Vertecore to equip the spinal lift device with special sensors to improve its effectiveness.
AT&T’s film crew spent a June morning at GHRC getting rowing footage of Dawson on and off the water. It was very interesting to watch the film guys at work, and hats off to Dawson for spending 90+ minutes on the Coffey erg while they got their shots just right. Once the finished product is available, a link will be posted on the club website for anyone who would like to watch the video.
Thank You Volunteers
In addition to our regular LTR sessions, there have been a number of events and one-off classes successfully completed over the last few months thanks to members who have stepped up to volunteer their time. Thank you everyone!
April 6: Keep Sugarland Beautiful
June 1: National Learn to Row Day
June 3: Single Flip Test
June 8: Rigging Basics Class
July 14: Row Studios Class
Boathouse Reminders
Whether you're a novice rower or veteran, row solo or in a group, here are some standard boathouse practices that bear repeating:
- Try to bring your own reusable water bottle from home. The boathouse mini fridge is stocked with water bottles for LTR students, but isn't meant for repeated use by regular members. If you forget your own bottle, of course you should take one to stay hydrated, but don't forget to restock when supplies are running low.
- Always do a quick walk through of the boathouse before you push off for a row or leave for the day. Make sure the water is turned off and the hose has drained, front and back doors are locked, lights and fan are turned off. Always log out and back in.
- When opening the boat bay doors, make sure you release the latch first, then untie the chain pulley. The latches will bend (or break) if the chain pulleys are released first and they bear the full weight of the door. When closing the doors, do the opposite; tie on the chain pulley first, then pull the latch across.
- Do not block the handicapped parking spaces with boat slings at any time.
- Keep the dock clear of shoes and sandals. You can take them in the boat with you, or leave them in the baskets at the end of each dock.
- Follow the correct flow pattern. The safety of all members is our number one priority. Keep starboard blades to shore and know the right of way at bridges and intersections. Be mindful of others on the creek at all times, especially kayakers from First Colony Community Association who may not be familiar with the rules. Please refer to the GHRC Handbook if unsure about any of the club's safety practices.
There are lots of new faces around the boathouse so far in 2019. Many have joined after taking our Learn to Row classes; others are experienced rowers who have relocated to Houston. If you're new to GHRC, WELCOME! Great to have you with us! Please don't hesitate to reach out to the board or any club member if you'd like to get more involved or if there is anything we can do to improve your rowing experience. If you're a long time member, please take a minute to introduce yourself to new people and help them feel at home in our rowing community.