Varsity Rowers’ Regatta Schedule and Club Rowing Has Begun
May will be a busy month for youth rowers at Megunticook Rowing. The varsity team got on the water on April 22, two days after the docks went in. The team has a busy spring ahead with lots of racing. Their regatta schedule is below:
May 5 @ Neponset, Milton, MA
May 11 Mayor’s Cup, Somerville, MA
May 18 US Rowing NE Youth Championships, Lowell, MA
May 25 Dirigo Sprints, Megunticook Lake, Camden, ME
The varsity rowers, coached by Will Schaetzke and Meredith Currier, have been practicing five mornings a week before school. Team captains lead practices an additional two afternoons a week. Flora Gurdon, captain of the Girls Varsity admitted, “It’s always a bit difficult getting practices going after a long winter, but the whole team is doing a really good job with training and going the extra mile to excel – this season is looking really promising.”
The afternoon Club Rowing program has launched with eight rowers. They began by perfecting technique on the ergs at our indoor training center at Midcoast Recreation Center, in Rockport. Because of school vacation, wind, and the 8th grade Camp Kieve festivities, the rowers will not hit the water until Tuesday, April 30. Then, Coaches Bob Perkins and Eric Buck expect a four week full-tilt boogie to Memorial Day weekend, with the possibility of some of the club rowers giving racing a try if the opportunity presents itself!
Help Megunticook Rowing Row the Coast of Maine from Kittery to Calais!
5,967,000 meters to raise $5967
Having just moved our shells and oars to the “boat forest”, and with the youth Varsity and Club programs on the water, it is clear to all that we need some new oars and new grips for those still in rotation. To raise funds to purchase new oars and grips, Megunticook Rowing will row the length of the Maine Coast and we ask you to support this effort.
As Megunticook Rowing’s Youth and Masters rowers total up all the meters they have put on the ergs over the winter, they ask you to support them by making a donation in acknowledgement of their effort. Your donation helps raise funds for new oars and grips, and your dollars translate to meters, too.
The final meters will be “rowed” on Sunday, June 1 from 10 am – 3pm on Camden’s Village Green. We will have eight ergs set up and a rotation of your favorite rowers will help us cross the finish line. You can even try the erg to add to our overall meters!
Click the button below for more information, to donate and to sign up!
Boat Forest Is Ready Thanks to Our Merry, and Sometimes Soggy, Band of Volunteers!
Because it was the earliest ice out on Megunticook Lake since 1903, we were able to get our docks in on Saturday, April 13th, ten days ahead of schedule. It was a sunny, breezy Saturday, perfect for floating the docks from the route 52 boat launch to our ramp at the boat forest in Barrett’s Cove. In addition to getting docks in the water, sheds were cleaned, and safety equipment was checked and readied.
That day was followed by another work day on Saturday, April 20th. Don Seales delivered the trailer full of hulls and oars. Polly Saltonstall and Stephanie Lash brought in twelve truckloads of chips to help mitigate mud. Alec Brainerd and Paul Gill brought materials to shore up the foot bridge, while others pitched in to clean up the site, haul in quads, doubles and eights, plus all the oars. (BTW – Please donate to Row the Coast! We need new oars and all our oars need new grips. Thank you!)
Volunteer hours for both days equaled more than 200 hours!
Thank you to everyone who pitched in!