Page 4 - French and Electric Blue November 2015

Maiden Voyage

Fledgling MSP Rowing Team Competes in the Prestigious Head of the Charles

By Sergeant Thomas Ryan the center arch is wide enough for only one boat. The MSP boat
When Chris Maietta, chairman of the Wayland-Weston Rowing did not yield fast enough to accommodate a quickly approaching
Association, put forth a proposal to start a Massachusetts Duke University boat (as required by the rules that state a boat
State Police Rowing Team, he never imagined that within must yield to a faster overtaking boat). Meanwhile, the Duke
two months it would culminate with an entry in this year’s coxswain did not call out to get the MSP boat’s attention (not
Head of the Charles Regatta. But that’s what happened. required under the rules). Those factors led to the oars of both
crews clashing. Another close encounter of the Weeks kind.

Presented with the opportunity of a lifetime, four former college The MSP Team reflected on this awesome experience:
rowers who are now Massachusetts State Troopers readily accepted For Patrick Moynihan, racing in the HOCR was not only one of the
the challenge. With an incredible amount of support from many greatest days he’s ever had in his life, it was also one of the greatest days
sources, Patrick Mahady, Patrick Moynihan, Sean Maloney and he has had as a trooper. Patrick described his experience in the race:
Matthew Davis suited up, along with coxswain Inna Oh, a senior “I remember feeling the anticipation as we got ready to leave
at Noble and Greenough School, on Saturday, October 17, for the dock. We’d trained for only a short period of time and we
the 51st running of the prestigious Head of the Charles Regatta. knew what we were about to do was going to be hard, but the
The MSP Crew was an underdog, to say the least. They had just conversation and even laughter was still there. In this short period
about a month to prepare for the race. Two of the rowers hadn’t of time, we formed strong bonds and friendships were made.
been in a boat in 20 years. Their average combined age of 39 “The row down to the starting line was one of the best rows
was well above the majority of their competitors. Thankfully, we’d had as a team. I felt the focus of each person in the boat.
their love for the sport of rowing, their collectively high fitness It was surreal to hear the cheers from spectators for the boats
level, a great coach, and a skillful coxswain put them in the game. that were racing by us as we made our way to the starting line.
On race day, the weather was fantastic and their start went off “Once we got to the starting area, it was wonderful that the launches
without a hitch. But given that this is one of the most prestigious getting us ready to cross the start called us “Mass State Police.” One
rowing competitions with some of the best rowers in the world said “all right State Police, you have to move up or else I’m going
on a highly challenging course, some drama was to be expected. to have to give you a ticket.” I remember laughing as we moved
And some was found, at the Weeks Footbridge, a notorious spot forward. They knew us as “Mass State Police” and it felt good to hear
where the river takes a 90-degre left-hand turn, the span under them calling it out over the megaphones. I felt proud every time.
“From there, I thought ‘this is it.’ We were building to full speed and
crossing the starting line. All I could hear was the rigging, the water,

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