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06 Feb 2007 - Honor and The River opens to rave reviews: the yearnings of a gay teenage rower
20 Feb 2006 - Row Team Austin prepares to regain medal title for Montreal
03 Feb 2006 - New Chicago rowing team, Qrew Chicago, looks ahead to Montreal
01 Dec 2005 - Rowers from New York City’s Crew New York begin training for Montreal
24 Oct 2005 - Crew New York mourns the loss of a fellow rower
01 Oct 2005 - DC Strokes vote to attend the 2006 1st World Outgames
23 Jun 2005 - SF Bay Blades featured on Q television
12 Jun 2005 - Crew New York catches attention at film festival
11 Jun 2005 - DC Strokes host Stonewall Regatta XII
17 Apr 2005 - SF Bay Blades star in episode of ‘30 Days.’
15 Oct 2004 - It’s official: Crew New York!
27 Jun 2004 - New York City launches new gay and lesbian rowing club
15 Jun 2004 - New Boathouse for NYC arrives from Connecticut
28 May 2004 - San Francisco Bay Blades changes domain name.
30 Apr 2004 - DC Strokes moves to Anacostia Boathouse
19 Apr 2004 - University of Texas writes about gay rowing
19 Mar 2004 - OarWell - gay rowing clubs around the US
14 Mar 2004 - Deep in the Heart of Texas
19 Feb 2004 - Row Team Austin Hosts Fifth Annual Winter Retreat
01 Feb 2004 - San Francisco Bay Blades New Rower Orientation - AMAZING
13 Nov 2003 - GLRF hosts rowers at Hydrate for Chicago City Launch
18 Oct 2003 - Rowers gather in Boston for GLRF City Launch social
News Digest:
A new play that gives a fresh approach to teenage isolation
06 Feb 2007 - Montclair; A new gay-themed rowing play by Anton Dudley, Honor and The River, has opened to rave reviews in New Jersey. The play focuses on a teenage boy’s isolation at a boarding school, the sadness for his deceased father, and his longing for one of the guys on the crew team, Honor. The play runs 03 Feb - 25 Feb 2007, at the Luna Stage in Montclair. Read the review
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Row Team Austin on a mission for medals in Montreal
20 Feb 2006 - Austin; Activity on Town Lake has begun to heat up as the infamously competitive 1998 Amsterdam Texas rowing squad, known as Row Team Austin, prepares to reclaim their most medals title.
They won the most medals at the Bosbaan at the 1998 Amsterdam Gay Games. With a crew of 40, RTA stormed the regatta and left no stone unturned in almost every category. At the recent RTA Winter Rowing Retreat, members made it clear that history will repeat itself. Up to 25 rowers are training for the Montreal 1st World Outgames. This time around, the RTA rowers are starting with a higher baseline, since their are training in several top tier racing boats named after their victories in Amsterdam. Perhaps the Aussies should become accustomed to the new gold standard: silver?
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Chicago’s new ‘Qrew Chicago ‘ rowing team are Montreal bound and training to win!
03 Feb 2006 - Chicago; They are twelve men intent on winning their races at the 2006 Montreal World Outgames. They are the Qrew Chicago rowing team. Having set in motion a demanding training schedule of erg time and 4 days a week of on-the-water practice, this team is determined to bring home the Canadian gold.
The group initially began rowing at the Dammrich Rowing Center in Evanston and will soon switch to the Lincoln Park Boat Club come April. The team is actively looking to recruit additional members and expand their competitive entries in Montreal.
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New York City’s Crew New York begin Montreal preparations
01 Dec 2005 - New York City; Their last day on the Harlem River was Wednesday, 23 Nov 2005. Reports were that it was a VERY cold row but that last one is always bitter sweet for rowers. You never quite want it to end. However, members of Crew New York already have a goal for next season: winning at the Montreal World Outgames regatta.
Seven rowers have registered for the regatta and they are looking to recruit more to field several boats in multiple categories. The team has now shifted its focus to an intensive schedule of winter conditioning. The thought of endless hours on the ergs may make many groan but you haven’t seen the amazing views of the Harlem River from the second floor of the warm, airy, and light Peter Jay Sharp Boathouse! What are you waiting for?
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Crew New York mourns the loss of a fellow rower in tragic boat accident on the Harlem River
24 Oct 2005 - New York City; Members of Crew New York remain dazed and in shock at the loss of a fellow rower during a boating accident on the Harlem River early Monday morning. Four rowers from the Peter Jay Sharp Rowing Club, rowing in a straight four, were executing a u-turn just downriver from the 181st street bridge when they were struck broadside by a power boat. The impact struck just forward of the bow seat and immediately capsized the boat. Three of the rowers were immediately pulled from the water. The bowman, Jim Runsdorf, initially assisted in the rescue of his crew but then disappeared. He remains missing and is presumed lost.
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DC Strokes membership votes for Montreal
01 Oct 2005 - Washington DC; The DC Strokes Rowing Club voted to participate as a team in the 1st World Outgames Regatta. The decision came after several months of internal discussions among the membership. In the end, the deciding factor was the rowing facilities at the Montreal Olympic Rowing Basin. The Strokes plan to send a team of 20 - 25 rowers to compete.
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San Francisco Bay Blades featured on live Q Television broadcast
23 Jun 2005 - San Francisco; The San Francisco Bay Blades were one of five gay teams included in the weeklong, nightly Q Television broadcast that celebrated Pride Week from 7:00 - 9:30 pm. Q Television is available on the east and west coasts of the United States through RCN Satellite, channel 229. GLRF has requested footage of the broadcast and when it becomes available, we will provide a hosting link.
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Crew New York catches the audience attention at Summer Storm screening
12 Jun 2005 - New York City; It was both the Awards Night and the Closing Night of the New York City Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, NewFest. After the all the awards were presented and the thank you’s uttered, the lights dimmed and soon the audience was watching rowers talk about training, sex, and the regatta. Some things never change, right? By the end of the movie, guys were naked, boats were broken, and the queerstroke (queerschlag) team had won the regatta. Such a cool movie!
As the audience filed out of the movie theater, 8 rowers were lined up, with hands-on some crisp, sharp Crew New York brochures wrapped with a GLRF sleeve, and issues of Rowing News. As the rowers called out, “Would you like to row?” and “Rowing in New York City,” all 80 of the brochures were snapped up. The crowd swarmed to Boggart’s for some drinks and chat, and to talk about the movie’s stroke technique.
You have to see this movie! Summer Storm.
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DC Strokes host 12th Stonewall Regatta
11 Jun 2005 - Washington DC; A Stonewall Regatta weekend just isn’t the same without the Friday night dinner at Bucco di Beppo’s. It was a smaller crowd than previous years but that didn’t dim the animated conversations that included rear ends, funneling, and the Republican National Committee, in no particular order. Lots of carbs and chianti wine helped prepare the final race strategy. Does that include the drinks at JR’s afterwards? hmmm.
The day of the regatta can only be described in one word: flawless. The t-shirts were amazing, the sun was shining, sponsors were aplenty, the race programmes dazzled the eye, and crews competed emulously. The races started on time, even with some heavy chop, and the times were impressive. Every detail was covered as if, yawn, they did this every day. Regular announcements thanked the Presenting Sponsor, Associate Sponsor, Executive Sponsor, and Contributing Sponsors.
A separate Marketplace reserved spots for the sponsor and vendor tables, and a very well stocked refreshment stand kept crews hydrated and well fed. See the pics.
Afterwards, crews gathered at Remington’s on Pennsylvania Avenue for some cool drinks and talk. We’ll skip and detailed description of the gratuitous shots of tequila that followed. ugghhhh.
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San Francisco Bay Blades shine in FX episode of ’30 Days.’
17 Apr 2005 - San Francisco; Morgan Spurlock’s initial notoriety came from his acclaimed 2004 documentary film, Super Size Me, in which he chronicles his life during a month-long McDonald’s only diet. Now Spurlock is turning reality television on its head as he convinces others to live their lives in the shoes of someone else, for 30 Days.
In episode four, we will learn what happens when a god-fearing 24-year old conservative homophobe from red state midwest America travels to San Francisco’s Castro district to live in what is one of the gayest areas of the city. Watch as he joins a gay sports team (San Francisco Bay Blades), works a job that caters to gay clientele, attends gay-friendly church services, and lives with a gay roommate. See what happens as this outsider gets an inside view of what it is like to live as a minority that still elicits strong feelings of hatred among many Americans.
Who is this lucky guy who gets to jump in a boat with the Blades? His name is Ryan Hickmott and he’s from rural Michigan. He was co-captain of his high school football team, joined the military to put himself through college, and was the youth minister of his church. Ryan’s values as an American are firmly rooted in three essential beliefs: God, country, and family. Today, Ryan believes these principles are under attack and homosexuality is partially to blame. The Bible condemns it, the military is disrupted by it, and even the definition of family is being threatened by the prospect of gay marriage. For 30 Days, in an effort to gain some perspective, he will live with a gay roommate name Ed Coller who works as a marketing executive.
How did Ryan handle his time on the water with the Blades? Derick Teeking, President of the San Francisco Bay Blades reports that the somewhat timid and shy Ryan quickly warmed to the crew and stood up to the task of being a first time coxswain. He barked out commands with clarity and authority, and navigated the winding waterway of Lake Merritt with ease. Soon the crew was practicing racing starts and Ryan was beginning to feel the rush of a shell gliding through the water.
Credit goes to the SF Bay Blades rowing coach, Bob C. for his liaison with the show’s director, and for setting up the shot. Thanks Bob, for helping to promote rowing.
The episode will air on 06 July at 10 pm on the FX network.
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New York Pride Rowing Association selects their official name.
15 Oct 2004 - New York City After considerable debate and several pitchers of perfect margaritas, the New York Pride Rowing Association announced their official name: Crew New York. A website will follow soon. In the meantime, rowers and friends can find all the latest information about gay and lesbian rowing in New York City by clicking on their interim home on the web.
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New York Pride Rowing Association launches club at New York Pride 2004
27 Jun 2004 - New York City It was a perfect day. The sky was bright blue and the air was warm and dry. New Yorkers converged on Greenwich Village to celebrate gay pride 2004. Everyone carried signs that said “Marry Me” on one side and “I Do” on the other. Now there’s a new sign to carry. One side says “Wanna Row?” and the other reads “You can!”
With the arrival of the Peter Jay Sharp boathouse in New York City, the new gay and lesbian rowing club, New York Pride Rowing Assocation, made its formal debut with a brochure and an email list at the GLRF booth in the NYPride 2004 Festival. The reactions were of sheer delight and disbelief as rowers, from Berlin, San Francisco, and Manhattan could not believe their eyes. Some had lived in New York for 9 years and had never been able to row. Everyone wanted to know when they could get on the water, what were the boat practice schedules, and how they could sign up for a learn to row class.
Steve Onken, the Row Team Austin tex mex Manhattan rowing transplant has spearheaded the new club organization and is very excited about the future of the club. To add some spice to the booth, Steve loaned his erg, a WaterRower, for the day. Most visitors asked if it was a washing machine. That joke got old fast. However, killer erg man Mark did a 20 minute piece that had the crowd oggling. You know he’s in shape when he maintained a steady banter while he was on the machine.
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New York City Boathouse arrives on the Harlem River
21 Jun 2004 - New York City There is rowing once again in New York City. The Peter Jay Sharpe Boathouse arrived from Conneticut on Thursday, June 17, and by Saturday, June 19, learn to row classes were already underway.
There are two sessions being held during this summer. Each session consists of 8 classes each. The first session runs from June-July and is held on Saturdays and Sundays from 7:00AM-9:30AM. The following are the exact dates: June 19, 20, 26, 27 and July 10, 11, 17, 18. The second session, which will run from July-August, is still TBD. Contacts are Thomas Curry and Karla Ward (to confirm commitment to the above schedule and to reserve a spot). The cost will be $400/individual.
The [yet to be named] gay and lesbian rowing club will be one of several rowing clubs using the boathouse. Anyone interested can contact the New York Pride Rowing Association
It was a harrowing tow but the boathouse made it - read the related article.
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SF Bay Blades change domain name
28 may 2004 - San Francisco The San Francisco Bay Blades are busy getting ready for a full season of rowing. But wait, their website is down. Or is it?
Due to strategic cost considerations, the SF Blades have changed their domain name to: www.sfbayblades.com
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DC Strokes shift boathouse; farewell Thompsons and hello Anacostia
30 Apr 2004 - Washington DC The DC Strokes Rowing Club announced its relocation to the Anacostia Community Boathouse. In February of this year, DC Strokes was approved for membership by the Annacostia Board of Directors. In that same month, the Club moved its operations from the Thompson Boat Center (TBC) on the Potomac River to the Anacostia Community Boathouse located in Southeast Washington, DC immediately adjacent the Washington Navy Yard.
DC Strokes began considering a move after learning that storage capacity at TBC would be substantially reduced with plans for an outdoor compound housing 60 rowing shells to be torn down to make way for the new Swedish embassy. With their home and future prospects for club operations at risk, DC Strokes petitioned the Anacostia Boathouse in fall 2003 to become a member organization.
The Club's new home was dedicated in July 2003 and is now home to 12 different organizations who work together through the ACBA to promote non-motorized water sports on the Anacostia River, environmental awareness, and revitalization in the surrounding Southeast DC and Anacostia communities.
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Row Team Austin - Deep in the Heart of Texas by Jay Jorgensen
The 2004 Heart of Texas Regatta took place March 13-14, 2004. This annual regatta is a 1000meter sprint race held on Town Lake in Austin, Texas. Over seventy events are offered: - 1x to 4x, 2- to 8+. Youth, Junior, Collegiate, Open, Masters, Novice and Recreational categories are run. Hundreds of competitors came from all over the US. College and junior crews turned out in great numbers, as the regatta date corresponds with spring break. Rice University and The University of Texas had particularly strong showings. Weather conditions were fair with overcast skies and some rain late Saturday.
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Row Team Austin did not launch a boat, but members rowed with the Austin Rowing Club’s (ARC) men’s and women’s competitive crews - Shane O’Leary with the women and Karl Smith with the men. The ARC women’s competitive crew placed first in the women’s master’s 8+ event and second in the Mixed master’s 8+ event. They also competed in the women’s open 8+ and mixed open 8+ events. The ARC men’s competitive crew competed in the men’s open 8+, mixed open 8+, men’s master’s 8+, and mixed master’s 8+ events. Chuck Boudreaux rowed with the RowTini’s in the mixed master’s 8+ event, placing fourth.
Sharon Smith coxed countless crews and other members worked as volunteers at the regatta.
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Rain, Sleet, and Snow doesn’t faze Texans at the Austin 2004 Winter Retreat - by Jay Jorgensen and Chuck Boudreaux
16 Feb 2004 - Austin, Texas Rain, sleet, and snow did not stop Row Team Austin (RTA) from having their fifth annual Winter Retreat this past President’s Day (US Holiday) weekend. The event began Friday, February 13th and concluded Monday morning the 16th with a scratch regatta. Twenty participants from the District of Columbia, Virginia, California, and Texas attended the four-day retreat. Jeff Mork of the University of Texas Men’s Crew and Brad Smith of DC Strokes assisted Head Coach Melissa Bray.
The retreat began Friday morning despite the 1C temperature. Participants spent the morning indoors, watching video-clips and competing in a four-team 2000 m erg relay. By the afternoon, the group ventured outside and headed for Red Bud Island in two eights and a double. Melissa Bray focused on timing and posture during the afternoon clinic.
That evening, beer and multiple martinis slowly melted the frozen faces and limbs at Austin’s 1920’s Club as the Gay + Lesbian Rowing Federation hosted their Austin City Launch. Executive Director Brian Todd distributed information about GLRF and announced the Ready All Boats!2004 campaign, which encourages rowers to start thinking about Rendez-Vous Montreal 2006 and the Gay Games 2006. After dinner, RTA hosted separate men’s and women’s parties. Naturally, at the men’s party, everyone stood around and drank while at the women’s party, the ladies relaxed in a hot tub and ...drank!. Sheesh!
Over an inch of snow greeted anyone who awoke early Saturday morning to row in the Austin Rowing Club 5km Dam to Dam Winter Warrior Regatta. The race went ahead as planned and so did the coached row Winter Retreat activities with Jeff and Melissa. Retreat participants re-convened that evening at the home of Chuck Boudreaux for drinks, socializing, and music.
The rowers faced two obstacles on Sunday morning: traffic due to the Motorola Marathon AND (for some) recuperation from the previous evening’s festivities. However, with the temperature 5C warmer than the day before, and the sun out for the first time in seven days, the group was excited about getting back on the water. Jeff Mork and Melissa Bray decided that Sunday would be devoted to sculling. Rowers spent the morning and afternoon sessions in 1x, 2x, and 4x’s. By the end of the day, everyone was a little sunburned and was ready for a fine Tex-Mex meal. . The group gathered at El Arroyo for a fajita dinner and some networking. The retreat participants remarked that they had learned a great deal from Melissa, Jeff, and Brad’s hands-on instruction.
Monday morning was sunny and warm. The remaining retreat participants gathered for a scratch regatta. Two quads raced from the Congress Avenue Bridge to the east dock of the Austin Rowing Club. The highlight of the race was the gymnastic hot-seating that took place between race one and two. Regardless of who won, everyone left with smiles on their faces. Information and retreat pictures are available at www.rowteamaustin.org.
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SF Bay Blades Host New Rower Orientation and GLRF City Launch
01 Feb 2004 - San Francisco, California On a cold, blustery, overcast day, the San Francisco Bay Blades hosted a new rower orientation at the Lake Merritt Boathouse in Oakland, California. Despite the wet, gloomy weather, 37 motivated souls (including 8 women!) showed up to hear about rowing. Most were new to rowing and a few wanted to jump into more organized boats. SFBayBlades President Pat Hansen welcomed the group and set the tone for a confident, organized orientation session by announcing a major milestone - the Club would sponsor and teach the Boathouse’s’ Novice Learn To Row Class on 27 Feb.
The Blades’ orientation, put together by Hizam Haron, should be used as The Standard. The program began with a general discussion about rowing and coxing. Everyone who attended signed an attendance sheet giving their name, email address, and how they heard about the event. After introductory remarks, the gathered group were separated and rotated among three clinics: erg, sweep, and scull. 
Club members began the demos by pulling an eight off the rack and putting the boat in the water. Everyone was invited to sit in the boat and were given a quick introduction to sweep rowing by Mel Fisher. Kip Darcy manned an Aero single and explained the advantages and differences between sweep boats and sculls. J.B. Brainerd stood astride of three ergs on the dock and briefed the audience as Rob Heyman demonstrated perfect technique. Within five minutes, JB had everyone pulling pieces in perfect form. Garrett Hayashida, Minh Le, and Howie Chan expounded on the benefits of being a cox. There was a brief analogy of the coxswain being the lube that keeps a boat moving. Hmmm. Okay.
Martin Murphy was the role model of a Rower’s’ Spouse by nodding and smiling while looking on at his row-crazed bf.
After the demo clinics, everyone was invited into the protected boat bays for food, coffee, and chat. Brochures on the table included a very comprehensive New Rower Orientation Packet, and brochures on GLRF and the Rendezvous Montreal Regatta. The Club members felt the co-hosting of a GLRF City Launch was helpful because it provided a glimpse at the larger aspect of gay and lesbian rowing in terms of the worldwide gay and lesbian rowing community and upcoming regattas.
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