NBRC hosts a classic on the river

The Wine Country Rowing Classic attracted more than 800 athletes from 32 clubs, representing four states with rowers from as from as far away as Scotland.

The regatta was hosted last Sunday on the Petaluma River by the North Bay Rowing Club and Sonoma State University Crew.

The event included adaptive rowers for the first time, and overall participation in the event was up 25 percent from last year. Hosts North Bay Rowing Club and Sonoma State University Crew worked extra hard as a team to bring the event to a successful conclusion with all volunteer labor.

“It was a glowing success,” said Regatta Director Colene Mace. “I am especially proud of how well the inclusion of the adaptive events was incorporated into the regatta as a whole.”

NBRC earned one gold and two silver medals on the windy day.

“This is our first race of the season and it is great to have it in our own backyard,” said NBRC program director and coach Will Whalen. “We’ve been training hard for weeks, and I am pleased with the results.

“Our Novice Masters rowers got to compete in a 5,000-meter race for the first time and the results were a silver medal. Our Juniors brought in some solid times for the HSMens 8+ and the Lightweight 4+.

“We are working on new combinations on the water, and the HSMens Pair (2-) also performed well.

“Our HSWomen’s 4+ had a very successful silver medal, and was just a second out of first place in a 22-minute race. That same boat heads to Boston for the Head of the Charles where they will compete against the best rowers in the world.”