neochen

Hey, Is there anyone coming to the Outgames who is not racing in either the Men's Masters 8 or the Men's Open 8 events? DC Strokes has two entries for these races. Unfortunately, one of our coxswains was in an accident last week and is unable to come to the Outgames due to two broken feet and a sprained wrist. Therefore, we are in need of a coxswain for these two races. If you or anyone from your crew might be interested in coxing for us, please let us know. Thanks, Ken neochen@yahoo.com

I would like to add my name and concerns to the letter above by Andreas. DC Strokes Rowing Club will be bringing 16 participants to the 2013 World Outgames, and we have planned, from the beginning, on renting boats at a cost of 10 Euros / seat. It was with surprise today that I happened upon this letter, as no notice have been given or sent out to the participants with respect to the tripling of boat rental fees. For those seeking to race in four events, this means a cost of 60 Euros per event per person (for a day of practice and a day of racing), or 240 Euros total for all four events. This is significantly more than the 60-80 Euros we have been telling our members to expect to pay in rental fees. The result of this will be that most of our members will likely consider participating in fewer events, and very few of our crews will probably actually practice on August 2nd. (Skipping the practice alone could save crews 120 Euros per person.) I am also particularly troubled by the fact that none of this information has been actively distributed to participants. In fact, when I went and read the message on the GLRF forum about the boat rental policy, it was only then that I realized that boat rental fees must be paid in cash. This type of information is critical for participants, and should be actively distributed to all paid participants, rather than be sent passively through the GLRF forums where it can be easily missed. Ken Kriese DC Strokes Regatta Planner neochen@yahoo.com

Brian - want to sweep in an 8?

Mike, I sent you a message via Facebook. We are looking for rowers to help fill out a second 8+. Let me knw if you're still available.

DC Strokes is bringing 13 men to compete. We'd love to put together a second 8, and are looking for 3-4 extra rowers (2 starboards, 1-2 ports) to fill out a second boat. If your crew isn't rowing an 8+, or you've got an odd number of participants as well, please let us know. You can respond here, or send an email to Sultan at: programs@dcstrokes.org. Line-ups are due soon so please let us know by Thursday (11 July). Ken DC Strokes Regatta Czar

The organizers for rowing at the 2013 Outgames have said they might be able to add the 2- as an event if there is enough interest. Right now, for anyone without sculling experience, the only sweep events offered are the 8+ and the 4-. I would definitely be interested in racing the 2- as well in Gent. How many others would be interested in competing in this event? If we can show there is enough interest, the organizers are open to adding it to the regatta schedule. Ken Washington, DC

Our members have asked me a few more questions about Antwerp and I was hoping we could get an answer. In Copenhagen, there were both Open and Masters races. Hence I actually rowed in the 8+ and the 4- as both Open and Masters. Antwerp is only offering Masters races with the normal A-J age categories as well as two S categories forv18-26. At US Masters Nationals this year, I raced in both a C category 4+ and a B category 4+ because despite being the same boat, the races were spread out. Do you know if the schedule will be set with all the age categories in a singe boat type racing together or will try be spread out over the two days. In other words, if I only sweep row, am I only going to be able to race in one 8 and one 4? Very few of our members scull and so we are trying to determine how many race events everyone can enter. Thanks!