The Vashon Island Rowing Club scored on multiple fronts at this year’s NW Masters Regional Championships in Vancouver, Wash., June 20 to 22.

Vashon Island Rowing Club (VIRC) masters took home medals across nine races this year at Vancouver Lake, including golds by Mike Merta in the men’s singles race, and Derek Wegner, Bob Horsley, Colby Atwood and Bruce Morser in the men’s D4.

After a season’s worth of preparation under the guiding hand of Coach Jessica Wetter, VIRC turned in one of its most impressive Regionals performances in several years. Nearly every rower in the club took home at least one medal from the event.

Under splendid weather conditions, the regatta enjoyed a particularly healthy turnout, especially in light of the almost total destruction of the Vancouver Rowing Club’s lakeside facilities due to torrential storms earlier this year. The fun and sense of community at this event continues to deliver year after year.

“I think my favorite moments, though, were simply sitting in a circle with many of you after the races ended on Saturday afternoon,” said Morser, who rowed in the bronze-medal winning men’s 8. “The sun came out, the warm wind turned all the leaves upside down, and the stories and laughs flowed — this is a wonderful team!”

VIRC President Jeff Hoyt added accolades of his own.

“Special thanks go to John Singer for helping us get our fleet of boats in race-ready shape and to Bob Stewart for managing the race schedule from start-to-finish,” he said. “We also owe a big shout-out to Derek Wegner for once again driving the boat trailer to and from the venue.”