High winds put damper on Covered Bridge Regatta

Canyons breathe. In the morning, they exhale dense, cold air downstream from their upper reaches. In the afternoon, they inhale the warmer air from lower elevations in an upriver flow. Dexter Lake, south of Eugene, sits in a canyon that was huffing and puffing this weekend much to the dismay of 30 rowing clubs from Oregon, Washington and Northern California that showed up for the Covered Bridge Regatta. This major annual regatta is the sort of Mason-Dixon Line for West Coast rowing — the only time when clubs from the Southwest race against their Northwest competition until teams meet at Youth Nationals at the end of the season.

April 20, 2016 4:30 am
Jordan Petram Photo Vashon’s junior women’s varsity pair: Rhea Enzian at stroke (left) and Riley Lynch in bow (right). The two took home gold medals over the weekend at a blustery Covered Bridge Regatta in Eugene
Jordan Petram Photo Vashon’s junior women’s varsity pair: Rhea Enzian at stroke (left) and Riley Lynch in bow (right). The two took home gold medals over the weekend at a blustery Covered Bridge Regatta in Eugene

Canyons breathe. In the morning, they exhale dense, cold air downstream from their upper reaches. In the afternoon, they inhale the warmer air from lower elevations in an upriver flow. Dexter Lake, south of Eugene, sits in a canyon that was huffing and puffing this weekend much to the dismay of 30 rowing clubs from Oregon, Washington and Northern California that showed up for the Covered Bridge Regatta. This major annual regatta is the sort of Mason-Dixon Line for West Coast rowing — the only time when clubs from the Southwest race against their Northwest competition until teams meet at Youth Nationals at the end of the season.

On Saturday, several of the earliest races were cancelled, but most events were completed — some in whitecap conditions. The junior women’s single event saw three boats flip and others flounder. Sunday’s start was delayed by two hours, and when rowers went onto the course, one heat was raced before more flipping and floundering boats caused the competition to be suspended and then cancelled.

In total, Vashon rowers competed in 22 races, winning five first-place, four second-place and four third-place medals. Two masters’ boats were victorious: the mixed quad (Mary Shemeta — stroke, Chad Magnuson, Lea Heffernan and Mark Ripley — bow) and the women’s four (Kim Goforth — stroke, Su Dewalt, Sarah Eden, Marilyn Kleyn and Lisa Huggenvik — coxswain). Three junior women’s boats returned home with gold medals: the novice four (Kate Kelly — stroke, Sam Ziegler, Ivy Jaguzny, Brigit O’Rourke and Josie Slade — coxswain), the varsity pair (Rhea Enzian — stroke and Riley Lynch — bow) and the JV double (Virginia Miller — stroke and Maddie McEachern — bow).

In summing up the weekend, coach Richard Parr acknowledged the disappointment that all experienced traveling so far only to have so many races canceled, but said the races that were rowed, went well.

“The races we did get to row were well-rowed and five first places at this competitive regatta is an accomplishment for our program,” Parr said.

The next event on the spring calendar for the junior crew is the Brentwood Regatta on Vancouver Island April 29 through May 1. This event is also a notoriously windy one, so the rowers will be hoping for calm weather.

— Pat Call is the father of a VIRC junior rower.