NewsNewshttp://www.whalingcityrowing.org/news/2012-03-15T00:18:23ZSquarespaceWhaleboat Scrambles July 1http://www.whalingcityrowing.org/news/2012/2/14/whaleboat-scrambles-july-1.htmlCharlie Smith2012-02-14T22:12:58Z2012-02-14T22:12:58ZBuilding on the success of last year's inaugural event, Whaling City Rowing will host the 2012 Whaleboat Scrambles on Sunday, July 1.  Rowing clubs in the New Bedford area are invited to join us for a day of competition and socializing.  Crews are "scrambled," chosen by lottery to mix ages, genders and club affiliation.  Prizes are awarded, but they are not to be taken too seroiusly.  Lunch is included.  It's a great way to meet the neighbors while enjoying some time on the water as summer begins.

]]>Youth Whaleboat Challenge May 12http://www.whalingcityrowing.org/news/2012/2/14/youth-whaleboat-challenge-may-12.htmlCharlie Smith2012-02-14T22:05:49Z2012-02-14T22:05:49ZThe 9th annual Youth Whaleboat Challenge will be held on Saturday, May 12th (rain date May 19th).  Youth teams from regional schools and other organizations are being formed now.  In the past, we have had as many as a dozen teams compete.  Practices are held through the month of April.  Competiton includes a race around Crow Island, an around-the-bouys race and a harpoon throwing contest.

]]>Season Kick-Off Party April 13http://www.whalingcityrowing.org/news/2012/2/14/season-kick-off-party-april-13.htmlCharlie Smith2012-02-14T21:47:35Z2012-02-14T21:47:35ZMark your calendars for Friday, April 13th for Whaling City Rowing's annual Season Kick-Off Party.  Once again, the party will be held at the Waterfront Grille from 6:00 to 9:00 pm.  It is always a relaxed evening of old friends, new members, plans for the coming season and a raffle.  Guests are welcome.  See the invitation.

]]>Member in the News - Letrice Lopeshttp://www.whalingcityrowing.org/news/2011/12/3/member-in-the-news-letrice-lopes.htmlCharlie Smith2011-12-03T18:51:49Z2011-12-03T18:51:49ZThe New Bedford Standard-Times of November 23, 2011 ran a very nice article on Whaling City member Letrice Lopes, a Licensed Massage Therapist and healer.  See the article here.

]]>The Fifth Day Joins Whaling City Rowing Fleethttp://www.whalingcityrowing.org/news/2011/11/6/the-fifth-day-joins-whaling-city-rowing-fleet.htmlCharlie Smith2011-11-06T14:52:04Z2011-11-06T14:52:04Z
The Fifth Day is the name of Whaling City Rowing's newest whaleboat.  Donated by Bob and Sandy Dring, she is a cold molded whaleboat fashioned after the James Beetle style whaleboat which got prevalent use in New Bedford from the 1840's on.  Some of her hardware was molded from hardware used by Beetle himself, courtesy of Mystic Seaport.
  
Both Bob and Sandy wanted very much that this boat would be used for the purposes of giving young people a chance to experience our wonderful harbor and surrounding waterways.  We at WCR are happy to make her part of our Youth Program.
 
Currently, she is not rigged for rowing but does have a sail.  The boat will remain in dry dock for the winter and hopefully will be ready for rowing this Spring.
 We are excited about our new addition.  She'll look great in the harbor!
 
On behalf of WCR, our sincerest thanks to both Bob and Sandy for this most generous gift.
 
Liz Labelle
]]>Whaling City Rowing Fall Pot-Luck Gathering, Oct 28, 6 PMhttp://www.whalingcityrowing.org/news/2011/10/4/whaling-city-rowing-fall-pot-luck-gathering-oct-28-6-pm.htmlCharlie Smith2011-10-04T13:57:09Z2011-10-04T13:57:09ZThe annual fall pot-luck and fellowship has been scheduled for Friday, October 28 at 6:00 PM.

This is relaxed and enjoyable time for members to get together without having to row anywhere! All are welcome!

]]>Hats Off To John McGann! Rowed his dory in the Blackburn Challenge!http://www.whalingcityrowing.org/news/2011/8/4/hats-off-to-john-mcgann-rowed-his-dory-in-the-blackburn-chal.htmlCharlie Smith2011-08-04T10:19:39Z2011-08-04T10:19:39ZA note about one of our members, John McGann:  He participated in the Blackburn Challenge which takes place up at Cape Ann in Gloucester.  The race was held on July 23, 2011 during that severe heat wave.  Last year, John had planned on rowing in this race but had to put his plans on hold after he experienced dehydration a few days prior to the race.  This year, he accomplished his goal.

John rowed the entire course in his Dory with his daughter, Maureen, acting as the navigator.  He completed the race in 7 hours.  The first 10 miles were pretty calm but the last 10 were brutal caused by a southwest wind and very choppy conditions.  It took him 2 1/2 hours to row the first 10 miles and 4 1/2 hours to complete the last ten.  

John said that it was great to finish but it was "the stupidest thing that I have ever done!"  

It could not have been that bad though because he is going to compete again next year with WCR in the whaleboat category!  He even joined us the following day for a 2 hour row out to Fort Taber at 6:30 am.  I think we should give a big HATS OFF to our member John, who at the age of 71, attempted and completed quite the challenge.....The Blackburn!!  Thanks, John, for giving us all something to brag about!   We are glad to have you in our club!  - Kathy Mills

]]>First Inter-Club Whaleboat Scrambles A Successhttp://www.whalingcityrowing.org/news/2011/7/19/first-inter-club-whaleboat-scrambles-a-success.htmlCharlie Smith2011-07-19T09:30:03Z2011-07-19T09:30:03ZWhaling City Rowing Club hosted an inter-club Whaleboat Scrambles on Saturday, July 9, 2011.  Members of Buzzards Bay Rowing Club joined Whaling City Rowing in a morning of competition and socializing on Pope’s Island and the waters of New Bedford Harbor.  Participants declared the event an unqualified success.

“It was an experiment,” said Charlie Smith, co-chair of the event.  “Members of the two clubs see each other on the water, but until now there hasn’t been an occasion to get together and socialize.  I think the experiment worked.  We had fun rowing, and I got to meet a number of Buzzards Bay people.”

The scrambles format was actually suggested by Heidi Hacking, the Buzzards Bay President.  Borrowing a term familiar to club tennis players, rowers from both clubs were “scrambled,” or selected by lottery, to fill the six boats.  Crews were also mixed by age and gender in an attempt to spread talent, strength and experience among the boats.  Three boatsteerers were chosen from each of the clubs.

The race itself was a 1.5-mile time trial.  Boats started at five-minute intervals in the channel at the east end of Pope’s Island and rowed under the Route 6 bridge, around a turning mark off Poverty Point and back to the starting line.  The winning boat, which ran the course in a little under 17 minutes, had a boatsteerer and two rowers from Buzzards Bay Rowing and three rowers from the host club.

The race was followed by lunch and an awards ceremony.

“We gave a prize to the winning boat, of course,” said Kathy Mills, the other event co-chair, “but winning wasn’t everything in this race.  We had gag prizes for several categories, including the crabbiest boat, the boat with the loudest boatsteerer and even the boat that finished last.  Every boat got a prize, like it or not!”

The Buzzards Bay Club President said, “All I've heard is positive things.  Everyone had a great time and hopes that it will become at least an annual event.”  Whaling City Rowing has the same hope.

First photo by Charlie Smith | Photos two and three by Kathy Mills

]]>"Whaleboat Scrambles" - July 9, 2011 - A new event!http://www.whalingcityrowing.org/news/2011/6/18/whaleboat-scrambles-july-9-2011-a-new-event.htmlCharlie Smith2011-06-18T18:53:27Z2011-06-18T18:53:27ZWe are sponsoring a new event called the "Whaleboat Scrambles," which will feature "mixed teams of rowers from the Buzzards Bay Rowing Club and Whaling City Rowing, on July 9, 2011. Details are:

  • This event is open only to members of BBRC and WCR. The primary purpose of the event will be to intentionally mix, or "scramble" rowers from each club to comprise totally new teams for the purpose of sharing our mutual joys of rowing, racing and friendship.
  • The event will be staged from the east side of Pope's Island in New Bedford (not within the marina itself), and the course itself will be on the north side of the New Bedford - Fairhaven Bridge. (See link to course below)  
  • Individual rowers from each club are encouraged to register not later than July 8, so that organizers will have time to create, or "SCRAMBLE" new teams. (See Registration info below)
  • Again, pre-registration is strongly advised!
  • Fee: Adults; $10 per person. Youth rowers, $5 per person.
  • Sign-in on the day of the event will be between 8:00 - 8:45 AM. Coffee, beverages and pastries will be available. Walk-in registrations will be accepted until 9:00 AM.
  • The event will end at 11:00 AM, with a barbecue of hamburgers, hotdogs and vegetarian options.
  • Charlie Smith (508-758-4373) and Kathy Mills (508-997-6656) are co-coordinators of the event. Please contact either Charlie or Kathy if you have questions.

Download the Whaleboat Scrambles Registration Form here

Download Race Rules here

]]>Open Water Race!http://www.whalingcityrowing.org/news/2011/6/12/open-water-race.htmlCharlie Smith2011-06-13T01:06:55Z2011-06-13T01:06:55ZThe "Buz Lites," one of our rowing teams within Whaling City Rowing, competed in the BBRC's Open Water Race on June 4th. The race took place off of Fort Taber in New Bedford. Team members were Kathy Mills, Charlie Smith, Latrice Lopes Lou Doherty, John McGann and Ellen Carlson as Boatsteerer. The Buz Lites came in second place among the whaleboats! Condratulations everyone on a great race!

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