The Bainbridge Island Rowing novice rowers got to test out their emerging skills against two rival teams—Olympia and South Kitsap—on Saturday morning, November 4, in home waters. The Brrrrrrr Regatta lived up to its name with the temperature barely making it into the 40s. But it didn’t rain or snow, and the wind was relatively calm.
The visiting teams, numbering about 60 rowers, shared Bainbridge Island Rowing’s equipment, including sculls and oars, so that they didn’t have to lug theirs to the Island. Rowers set into the chilly waters of Eagle Harbor from the beach at Waterfront Park’s boat launch and then headed out across the harbor to a race course marked by orange buoys.
The course, 1,300 meters, was short enough to require full-speed rowing, but it challenged the rowers with the approximate six-minute length. At the end of their races, the teams congratulated each other. Some rowers waved at the ferry making its way into Eagle Harbor. Fans rang cowbells from Pritchard Park at the finish line. Harbor seals poked their heads above the water to watch.
Back at the tents set up on the Pocock Rowing Center lawn, BIR parents treated participants to a warm breakfast of breakfast burritos, muffins, sausage, fruit, hot chocolate, and coffee.
There is no gallery selected or the gallery was deleted.
Photos by Sarah Lane.
