Row Team Austin Winter Retreat 2004 Recap

Rain, sleet, and snow did not stop Row Team Austin (RTA) from having their fifth annual Winter Retreat this past President’s Day (US Holiday) weekend. The event began Friday, February 13^th and concluded Monday morning the 16^th with a scratch regatta. Twenty participants from the District of Columbia, Virginia, California, and Texas attended the four-day retreat. Jeff Mork of the University of Texas Men’s Crew and Brad Smith of DC Strokes assisted Head Coach Melissa Bray.

The retreat began Friday morning despite the 1°C temperature. Participants spent the morning indoors, watching video-clips and competing in a four-team 2000 m erg relay. By the afternoon, the group ventured outside and headed for Red Bud Island in two eights and a double. Melissa Bray focused on timing and posture during the afternoon clinic.

That evening, beer and multiple martinis slowly melted the frozen faces and limbs at Austin’s 1920’s Club as the Gay + Lesbian Rowing Federation hosted their Austin City Launch. Executive Director Brian Todd distributed information about GLRF and announced the Ready All Boats!2004 campaign, which encourages rowers to start thinking about Rendez-Vous Montreal 2006 and the Gay Games 2006 After dinner, RTA hosted separate men’s and women’s parties. Naturally, at the men’s party, everyone stood around and drank while at the women’s party, the ladies relaxed in a hot tub and ...drank!. Sheesh!

Over an inch of snow greeted anyone who awoke early Saturday morning to row in the Austin Rowing Club 5km Dam to Dam Winter Warrior Regatta. The race went ahead as planned and so did the coached row Winter Retreat activities with Jeff and Melissa. Retreat participants re-convened that evening at the home of Chuck Boudreaux for drinks, socializing, and music.

The rowers faced two obstacles on Sunday morning: traffic due to the Motorola Marathon AND (for some) recuperation from the previous evening’s festivities. However, with the temperature 5°C warmer than the day before, and the sun out for the first time in seven days, the group was excited about getting back on the water. Jeff Mork and Melissa Bray decided that Sunday would be devoted to sculling. Rowers spent the morning and afternoon sessions in 1x, 2x, and 4x’s. By the end of the day, everyone was a little sunburned and was ready for a fine Tex-Mex meal. . The group gathered at El Arroyo for a fajita dinner and some networking. The retreat participants remarked that they had learned a great deal from Melissa, Jeff, and Brad’s hands-on instruction.

Monday morning was sunny and warm. The remaining retreat participants gathered for a scratch regatta. Two quads raced from the Congress Avenue Bridge to the east dock of the Austin Rowing Club. The highlight of the race was the gymnastic hot-seating that took place between race one and two. Regardless of who won, everyone left with smiles on their faces. Information and retreat pictures are in the 2004 Austin Rowing Camp gallery.