valeria out loud

Hey WordPressers! How is everyone? I hope well and having a great Fall season so far. I am doing really well. Enjoying everything going on around me as much as possible, but could use actual time off. I’ve been so busy lately and I can’t seem to find downtime. It’s on the horizon soon but for right now I am a lil bee 🐝.

So. The title of today’s post. Well. This past Sunday, we had the incredible opportunity to witness our daughter row at the 2024 Head of the Charles Regatta!! Can you friggin believe it!?? The team got three boats into the regatta- a men’s youth 4+, a women’s youth 8+, and a women’s under 17 4+. This is a pretty big deal!

For those who do not know- The Head of the Charles Regatta (HOCR) started in 1965. The Charles River is a challenge with all of the low bridges and bends along its 4,800 meters long course- from Boston University’s boathouse to past the Elliot Bridge. The HOCR spans three days and attracts hundreds of thousands of spectators and tens of thousands of competitors from all over the globe, making it THE premier event in the rowing community. It is pretty much the quintessential event in the rowing world. And in Boston.

I had never attended before and well, what an experience!!

Ok… NOW let’s get into it.

---

We woke up at 5AM to get ready as team roll call was at 6:30AM down in Boston. We live about thirty minutes north of the city without traffic. So we had to bust a move! Our oldest daughter was home over the weekend, so we had a full house again getting ready for this regatta.

Driving in was a breeze. There were a lot of people on the highway but no stop-n’go traffic. Boston was serene as we drove in the Back Bay along Storrow Drive. The water of the Charles River was smooth as glass. The trees, which are in full Fall showing, lined the banks seemed a bit dull from the sun not having risen high above the buildings yet. Down towards the start of all the university boat houses, we began to see the official timing boats gliding towards the start. People were funneling to their watch positions as the first rowers were about to launch to the start.

It was just so cool to see the behind the scenes action this whole day.

We arrived to what I called ‘boat trailer row’. Hundreds of trailers from rowing clubs from across the globe were lined up in each crevasse of every parking lot and patch of land that there was. So many boats!! The excitement radiating from the teams lining their trailers was infectious -and it made the chilly morning seem more pleasant too. (It was a frigid morning.)

When the girls launched, it was exhilarating. “My daughter was racing on the Charles!!”. My family and other row families watched the girls walk to water and get set in their boat. They all fist bump their coach then gracefully glided away to the starting line- 3.2 miles away- out of eye sight. We all cheered as we stood amidst the gorgeous oranges of the trees through the sunshine. Hoping each of our rowers or coxswains could hear us shouting support.

Here’s an outline of a typical race day- the whole crew shows up two hours before the first race time of the day and leaves an hour after the last race ends. It is a super long day, about 10 hours. The rowers begin by rigging their boats- working w the tools to get all the rowing equipment on the boat in its place. Then once its done, they gather to get ready to launch. This is where the team has a procession where they hoist their boat onto their shoulders then walk over to the water. They place the boat in the water, get aboard then take off up to the start of the race. This launch is at least an hour ahead of the race. (Basically they are rowing the full course backwards to the start.) Spectators will not see the rowers until they pass by where they are gathered. Then the rowers, exhausted from basically racing the course twice, come off the launch where they started then the procession carrying the boat back to their trailer for de rigging, a coach talk, some food at the parents tent, etc. There are teams and boats racing around everywhere along the banks of the rivers -from all the teams that are racing. It’s so hectic but beautiful to watch. So we hang out all day, working the tents and socializing as parents-while each boat goes through the course. Then clean up and go home. Each regatta has its own race measurements- some are timed races- some heat races, but there are websites for each regatta’s race results, which is pretty cool. On the day of the head of the Charles. I used their YouTube channel because they were broadcasting the race LIVE at all the different checkpoints so I could watch the boats as they came upon our area.

*Ok back to my day…

We lined up behind the Elliott Bridge, right before the finish line. We watched so many rowers go by. The power and synchronization of those crews’ oars was beyond impressive. Some races were youth men or women as we waited. Some masters, where some rowers were well into retirement age. But each stroke was powerful, a testament to teamwork and determination. Some teams were so in sync it was perfection -didn’t seem real.

Then the YouTube channel mentioned our team was on the horizon coming down towards Elliott Bridge. Yes, I started to tear up but held it together. This was such a big moment for our daughter. And us! I heard the broadcast say their number was heading under the bridge. We saw their number at the tip of the boat! We started to cheer… then we saw the eight girls rowing, navigating the turn – working so tirelessly! We were surrounded by the cheers of other spectators and I took a second to appreciate the stunning backdrop of the kids and the bridge with all the fall foliage.

My God it was amazing!

Crossing the finish line, I could barely see their faces but could sense the joy of accomplishment. Just to slow their row down was a gift at that moment.

There were 90 boats in their time race, they beat 18 other boats which is a great achievement. Their time was still fantastic!

Regardless of the final standings, their experience was invaluable. All of it. The day was more than just the race in my eyes; it was about the camaraderie of their boat, the resilience to keep up, and embracing the Charles River’s challenges.

We spent the rest of the morning after her race talking to colleges as we walked the whole outdoor event …and buying HOCR merch. She collects regatta swag and sweatshirts from each regatta.

I still can’t believe this happened. It is crazy to think about-how my little girl has grown so much and is competing to this level already. 🤯

Before I go!!

A side note- This year I was elected to be on the rowing parents committee as the treasurer. Our committee collaborates with the coaches and Director on the logistics, merch and operations around our season and the competitive regattas. We work very hard as a committee to make sure our kids have a successful experience and are fed and taken care of each practice and each weekend. And that we are having fun too! 😜. GO GLR!

---

Thank you thank you for reading along! I am hoping that you all have an amazingly wonderful rest of your Fall season. I always appreciate your support and encouragement (and kindness).

till next time! ❤️