BBRC crew continues its success at American Lake

Next up for the BBRC will be the Head of the Charles in Boston.

By Eric Odegard For The Beachcomber • October 12, 2022 1:30 pm
Two of the five members of the Men’s Junior Novice Coxed Quad, Briar Guenther (center) and Emmet Cox (right), after their silver medal performance (Amie Macnab Photo).
Two of the five members of the Men’s Junior Novice Coxed Quad, Briar Guenther (center) and Emmet Cox (right), after their silver medal performance (Amie Macnab Photo).

The Burton Beach Rowing Club (BBRC) was at it again on Sunday, Oct. 9, this time at the American Lake Fall Classic in Lakewood, Washington. This regatta, hosted by Tacoma’s Commencement Bay Rowing Club, brought 31 clubs together from around Washington and Oregon.

It proved to be another beautiful day for rowing with temperatures starting off cool before warming up to shirt-sleeve weather. The only downside was the now familiar smoke that continued to increase throughout the day.

The BBRC rowers picked up where they left off the week before, bringing home medals in 12 of the 14 races entered: four golds, five silvers, and three bronze.

Harry Todd Park, located just across I-5 from Ft. Lewis, serves as the venue for this head race. The 5k racecourse works its way around the lake and consists of three long straightaways and two turns. The second, much sharper turn, presents a good challenge to the rowers and the coxswains. While rowers still face the occasional wake from pleasure craft, it served as a much calmer and quieter venue compared to last week’s event on Lake Union.

Next up for the BBRC will be the Head of the Charles in Boston. Two boats from the club will make the trip back east to participate in this race from Oct. 21 to 23.