HBRA was represented at several regional and national Head Race competitions this fall.
Notably, several HBRA rowers participated in the 61st annual Head of the Charles Regatta. This 5000-meter race is the world’s largest 3-day rowing competition, and was held on the Charles River in Boston, Massachusetts, October 16-18. Two adult HBRA members competed with “Allies With Oars,” an initiative that promotes inclusion, visibility and accessibility in the sport of rowing for LGBTQIA athletes. Masters rower Lisa Weise bowed a Mixed Quad and Coach/rower/coxswain Jo James coxed a Mixed Eight. J
Junior rower Anya Seiler, who competed at the Junior Nationals last Spring, raced in a Junior Women’s Single at the Charles.
Masters rowers traveled to Lake Natoma, California to compete at Head of the American in October. Mary Ann McCulloch stroked the Womens Quad, with Sara Traphagen, Lorraine Dillon and Jeanne Wielgus. Laurel Condro rowed in a Singles and a Doubles race with Jeanne Wielgus. Sara Traphagen, and Lorraine Dillon, whose average age is 76, also rowed a Double. Junior rowers Taj French and Jubilee Kraft rowed in the Boys Youth Doubles race.
At Head of the Lagoon in Foster City in November, HBRA masters Laurel Condro and Jeanne Wielgus rowed Singles, and Sara Traphagen and Laurel Condro rowed in a Women’s Double. Junior rowers Taj French, Jubilee Kraft and Anya Seiler competed in Singles races on Saturday, with Anya awarded third place in the Under 19 single category. Taj and Jubilee placed second rowing a Mens Youth Double the next day.
Over the winter, HBRA rowers will continue rowing on Humboldt Bay as weather allows, and will train on land when necessary, preparing for more races in the spring.