When: Saturday, June 7th , 2008. 10 AM - Noon
Where: The Albany Boat House on the Corning Preserve
Contact person: Mary Rose, 518-449-3283, mrburnham@gmail.com
Who can participate? Any business or organization is eligible to participate in the Community Challenge Regatta. Participation is FREE! It’s a great way to teach your own “crew” about the value of teamwork, and promote your business or organization at the same time.
How does it work? All you need are 4 individuals from your organization to participate as a team. Team members can be men or women, aged 18 or older, no upper age limit, and no rowing experience necessary! The only restriction is that they are not currently participating in an Albany Rowing Center Program (but previous rowing experience is OK).
To submit your entry, just contact Mary Rose at the e-mail or phone number above, and let her know you want to enter the Community Challenge Regatta.
We will partner your team with 4 experienced rowers from the Albany Rowing Center, plus we’ll provide the coxswain. So your team of 4 will be joined by 5 teammates from the Albany Rowing Center.
Come to the Albany Boat House at 9:15 AM on Saturday, June 7th. We’ll have you sign in and meet your teammates, who will guide you through a 20-30 minute lesson on the basics of rowing using the indoor rowing machines. You will then be boated for your race in an 8-man shell, and spend about 20 minutes on the water before your race learning how to row. You will then line up with 3-4 other boats, and race for approximately 500 meters (about 1/3 mile). Most people get the basics of rowing within a few strokes, and remember, you’ll have experienced rowers in the boat to help and guide you.
There will be a racing schedule posted the day of the event. Depending on the number of entries, there may be heats and finals. The winner of each heat will advance to the final. So, if you win your heat, you will be racing a second time in the finals. We anticipate that the races will conclude at approximately Noon.
Is it safe? YES! We will have several safety launches out on the water during the races. Safety launches are equipped with enough life jackets for every rower on the water, first aid kits and signal flags. Each launch will have at least two individuals, one to drive the launch, and the other to monitor the races. We at the Albany Rowing Center have been teaching novice rowers for over 20 years, so you are in good hands.
What should I wear? NO LOOSE CLOTHING! Baggy shorts and long, loose t-shirts will get caught in the seat-tracks in the boats, and you will not be able to row. Appropriate clothing is snug or tight-fitting shorts or leggings, and a snug T-shirt or performance top. Wear sneakers with socks. Tevas, or other similar types of sandals, are fine, just remember to bring socks with you if you are not wearing them on your feet. Hats, visors, and sunglasses are recommended. No fanny packs or back-packs in the boat. We’ll have a place for you to stash them on land.
What should I bring with me to the race? Camera, bottled water or energy drink, towel (rowing is a water sport), sunscreen. We also encourage our teams to wear coordinating hats or t-shirts so you can be easily identified.
