| Baltimore Rowing Club Newsletter. May 31, 2008. http://www.baltimorerowing.org Jerome Falsoner, aged forty-five, was a bachelor who lived alone in a flat on Cathedral Street, on an income more than sufficient for his comfort. He was a tall man, but of a delicate physique, the result, it may have been, of excessive indulgence on a constitution none too strong in the beginning. He was well-known, at least by sight, to all night-living Baltimoreans, and to those who frequented race-track, gambling-house, and the furtive cockpits that now and then materialize for a few brief hours in the forty miles of country that lie between Baltimore and Washington. UPCOMING EVENTS.
LATEST NEWS.
Stonewall Regatta 15.
Results were unavailable at press time, but keep an eye on the DC Strokes website -- http://www.dcstrokes.org -- for the latest and greatest.
Baltimore Rowing Club softball game and picnic.
The second annual Baltimore Rowing Club softball game and picnic will be held this Sunday, June 1, at Carroll Park. The fun starts at noon. This year, we are extending our event to other local rowing clubs, so please bring your small ball and base running skills. If you have the time and means, a side dish or beverages to share would be very much appreciated. The club will provide food for grilling (hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken, etc.) Please RSVP to social director Kathy Nickel -- rowingred (at) gmail.com -- if you plan on attending, so we can make sure enough food will be there for everyone! - http://www.baltimorerowing.org/about/softball.php
Learn to Row Day 2008.
The 2008 installment of this national event, sponsored by USRowing, will be held on Saturday, June 7. The club's festivities will be held in and around the boathouse, starting at 9:00am and running until 3:00pm. If you would like to help out, please email learn (at) baltimorerowing.org. Remember, your hours count toward volunteer credit! - http://www.usrowing.org/Events_Regattas/NationalLearntoRowDay/index.aspx June 7 also happens to be National Trails Day, and our good friends at the Gwynns Falls Trail are celebrating the completion of a trail extension be re-dedicating the entire trail. Being as the Trail itself runs right past our boathouse, We expect a number of people will make their way down to put their hands on an oar. - http://www.gwynnsfallstrail.org/news.cfm
Dr. Louis Cantori.
An open house celebrating Dr. Cantori's life is scheduled for Sunday, June 8. Family and friends have put together a website for sharing and remembering: - http://rememberlou.blogspot.com
Baltimore RC headed for the 2008 USRowing Youth National Championships.
High school rowers Emily Bogdan, Allie Plaut, Sara Sherrer, Alison Medlyn, and Annie Couwenhoven have qualified for USRowing Youth Nationals, and will be racing against the best high school crews from across the country. - http://usrowing.org/Events_Regattas/YouthNationalChampionships/index.aspx
Maps at the Walters Art Museum: Baltimore Festival of Maps.
(Text swiped from the Walters website.) "The Baltimore Festival of Maps is a citywide celebration organized by the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance to encourage Baltimore residents and visitors to explore museums, theaters, galleries and educational institutions from March 16 through June 30, 2008, using the Walters Art Museum's exhibition Maps: Finding Our Place in the World as the impetus for their exploration." Through June 30. - http://www.thewalters.org/maps/festival.html
Donation drive and other sources of income.
Nick's has signed on as a sponsor for the Charm City Sprints in June. Do you have contacts at other area businesses who might be interested in sponsoring this event (and the Head of the Fort in September)? Hit our dutiful treasurer, Paula Merkle. (Contact details just below.) We are still collecting donations for new equipment, especially launches. Please contact treasurer Paula Merkle via, well, treasurer (at) baltimorerowing.org We have also entered into an affiliation agreement with Amazon.com to generate additional income. It's easy to do. First, head to www.baltimorerowing.org, then click on any Amazon.com link you see. Shop normally, and check out. That's it! So long as you visit our website first, and then click directly on a link to Amazon.com, your purchase will earn a kickback for the club! (The products displayed on our website are rowing-related, and merely suggestions; you need not buy any of the items for your purchase to help the club.)
Baltimore RC home regatta dates.
Dates have been hammered down for the summer and fall regattas hosted by your own Baltimore Rowing Club.
- http://www.baltimorerowing.org/regattas/regattas.php NIELS' NOVICE NOTES.
Novice I will have moved on to the greater challenges of the Open program -- or retired -- when you read this letter. Eight of them, joined by eight of BRC's novice graduates, rowed to the Harbor this past Monday, May 26, during an extra "free" row normally held on major Monday holidays. Mike and I hope many will continue with rowing; in the meantime, we have a ten day break until next class starts on Tuesday, June 10.
- Niels HEARD ON THE DOCK.
The inbox was a little thin this week. Did you hear, utter, or guffaw over a great quote? Want to see it published here? Visit the form at http://www.baltimorerowing.org/about/newsletter.php or send an email to secretary (at) baltimorerowing.org
STOLEN FROM THE WEB.
Faster, Higher, Stronger: From a World-Class Rower, Tips to Sharpen Technique.
By Sarah Bowen Shea, New York Times. May 22, 2008. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/22/fashion/22fitness.html
USRowing This Month.
That latest edition of the USRowing newsletter. (And by this month, they may or may not mean next month, June.) http://editor.delivra.com/vo.aspx?FileID=169854&MemberID=249227100&MailID=5113724
Crew Romance: Explaining The Allure of The Punishing Sport of Rowing.
By Michael Byrne, Baltimore City Paper. http://www.citypaper.com/special/story.asp?id=15741
Outside Magazine: The Rowbike Video.
In his latest column, the Lab Rat (Nick Heil) tests a wacky fitness hybrid: the full-body-throttling rowing machine on wheels. Watch as he ride the contraption through downtown Santa Fe, on the high roads, and outside city limits. http://outside.away.com/outside/bodywork/200806/lab-rat-row-bike-video.html A corresponding article was featured in the June 2008 issue of Outside. http://outside.away.com/outside/toc/200806.html LOST AND FOUND.
Megan Szymanski -- competitive rower and open program coach -- has misplaced the watch that goes with her Polar heart rate monitor. If you see it around the boathouse, kindly give it back to her, or let her know: megan.szymanski (at) gmail.com
IMPORTANT REMINDERS.
Practice: water times, weather, heat, life.
Your coaches and fellow rowers ask that you observe posted practice times as water times. Whether your program meets at an unholy five in the morning, a manageable six in the evening, or any other time in between, your practice window should correspond to the time boats are in the water and hands are on oars. The unusual geography of the boathouse and surrounding basin have been known to cause drastic changes in weather just before practices begin. Make your way to practice early, be changed, stretched, fed, watered, erged (maybe), and ready to row by your posted practice times; prompt attendance makes boatings easier and rows longer. If you are part of an assembled racing boat, but need to be late or even miss a practice, please let as many people in your boat know, as well as your coach, so a suitable replacement can be found for that missed practice.
Rowing in the heat.
As the weather warms by the day, remember to bring comfortable, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing, including a hat or some other head covering. You are also advised to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and plenty of water. Ideally, you should have somewhere between a quart and liter of water -- whichever is easier to carry out of the 7-Eleven. In fact, bring two bottles; it is better to be left with water after your row than to gasp for liquids halfway through drills. Resist the temptation to drink water directly from the Patapsco River, under any circumstances. If you become sick, tired, or uncomfortable during practice, do not attempt to "tough it out"; immediately notify the nearest rower, coxswain, or coach.
Notice to Spring Novice graduates.
Congratulations on making it through the spring novice program! Mike, Niels, and the rest of the Baltimore RC family are glad to have you move on to the next step: full membership! The Continuing Novice program has been created just for you, to experience the full gamut of Baltimore RC membership. For more details, head to the Dues page: - http://www.baltimorerowing.org/dues Spring Seasonal membership. For those members who signed up for seasonal spring membership, your window of rowing will expire on Saturday, June 14. The good news is, you can sign up for the summer seasonal membership right on our website: - http://www.baltimorerowing.org/dues Waivers, payment, and registration. Web-based registration is now available for all facets of life here at BRC. Before you attend a practice, please make sure your account is current for the 2008 season. Our registration has moved to RegattaCentral, and a full breakdown of programs and dues is available on our website. That number again is: - http://www.baltimorerowing.org/dues For all things membership and dues, Megan Sikora is available to answer questions and offer assistance. - http://www.baltimorerowing.org/people
Cool people, club development, and boat repairs.
Those reading this message are likely members of the large Members email list for the club, as well as a list specific to your rowing group (juniors, novice, open, competitive, pack). Two other important lists brimming with rowing news, volunteer opportunities, cool people, and fundraising knowledge are also available to you. First, introduce yourself to the Development list. This bustling list houses devoted souls focused on raising money for the club and its various needs. To add yourself to that list, head to the URL just below and share your email address: - http://baltimorerowing.org/mailman/listinfo/development_baltimorerowing.org Next, shake hands with the Repairs list. When the club's boats are sad, cracked, and broken, this list of folks works hard to make sure the fleet is righted with record speed. Do you already know your way around belt sanders and clear coat paints? Join the list. Want to learn? Join the list. - http://baltimorerowing.org/mailman/listinfo/repairs_baltimorerowing.org
Traffic pattern DVDs now available.
Alice Lium (and countless others) have put together a traffic pattern and safety DVD that helps you learn the ins and outs of the waters we call home. Patrick Martin first made video files of the DVD available on his website, and now he has burned copies of the DVD for you to share with your friends and teammates. You can find these physical DVD copies in the boathouse by the logbook.
Safety in and around the boathouse.
As more and more crews make their way to the boathouse for practices, regattas, and other activities, please take the time to make sure you, your valuables, and your car are safe and secure. (You especially.) Items of value should be carefully hidden from view, preferably well before you roll into the parking lot. ("Value" can range from an iPod or cellular phone, to a T-shirt, to change in your cup holder.) The area around Middle Branch Park is an up-and-coming neighborhood, but the realities of a major American city still apply, especially at night. Each locker room comes equipped with lockers (hence the name) which are available for use during practice. Combination locks are suggested, lest you drop your key(s) into the water while rowing. Should you ever find yourself anxious or uncomfortable about a situation in or around the boathouse, or getting to or from practice, do not hesitate to collect a group of people (rowers of size optional, but optimal) and ask for an escort to and from your car, bus stop, or light rail stop. This is especially important now that the boathouse storage has expanded; extra cars and buses may mean your car is parked farther from the boathouse. As always, please be courteous and professional, and set a good example for those programs around us. We share the boathouse, the lots, and the docks with other taxpayers; take turns and smile broadly.
Boathouse alarm.
If have and use a boathouse key, please remember to disarm the security system inside the building. At the very least, check to make the system for our area -- marked "Warehouse" on the console -- is set to "Off" as you enter and move about. Each false alarm incurs a fine from the city.
2008 Executive Committee.
2008 Coaching Staff.
Baltimore Rowing Club Places to Be
The Boathouse. 3301 Waterview Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21230 (410) 355-5649 http://www.baltimorerowing.org Nick's Fish House. 2600 Insulator Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21230 (410) 347-4123 http://www.nicksfishhouse.com Thursday Nights. J Patrick's Irish Pub. 1371 Andre Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21230 (410) 244-8613 http://home.netcom.com/~leemarsh/jpatrick.html Saturday Mornings. Harvest Table. 1000 Hull Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21230 (410) 837-0073 http://www.myharvesttable.com Spoons Coffee Cafe. 24 East Cross St, Baltimore, Maryland 21230 (410) 539-6751 This newsletter has been brought to you by the coaching staff, executive committee, and membership base of the Baltimore Rowing Club. Additions, corrections, criticisms, and witticisms are always welcome; give http://www.baltimorerowing.org/about/newsletter.php or secretary (at) baltimorerowing.org a try. See you on the water. |