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“For the spectator, rowing appears to be a graceful effort as the but of all things, scary was not one of them. To me, they are my
rowers swing together down the river, gliding through the water. teammates, but more importantly, they are four fantastic and
However, in the boat, there is a different story playing out. The genuine men that I am so happy to have met. I’ve never worked
tremendous exertion of the drive phase of the stroke has to exist in with a crew that has so much genuine appreciation and passion for
delicate balance with the recovery phase. Carry your hands at the the sport and for me it was a reminder of why I love crew. Being
wrong height or slide the seat forward too quickly and the boat is part of a highly competitive high school team, these guys were a
unstable and robbed of speed. Ironically, the crew that looks like it’s breath of fresh air. It wasn’t about going fast and beating out other
working the least is usually the fastest. In spite of limited on-water crews; that was actually the last thing on our minds. It was all about
training for this race, I’m confident that we managed this balance six people (four rowers, one coxswain, and one coach) who came
well. together out of love for the sport. It truly was an honor to be able to
“Hopefully, this race will serve as a call to other members of the get them out on the water and see them pick it back up again. I wish
Massachusetts State Police who would like to learn to row. We hope the Mass State Police Rowing Team the best of luck in the future
to bring others on board this program and continue to compete and hope it flourishes. If they ever need a coxswain, I’ll always be
under the banner of the MSP.” right here!”
Patrick Mahady looks forward to the future of the MSP Rowing Coach Rowan had fond memories of her experience. “I am so
Team. “We were lucky to get four troopers with previous rowing proud of this boat,” she said. “This race wasn’t about winning or
experience in a boat for the Head of the Charles with limited losing but giving these guys an amazing experience. I believe they
practice time,” he said. “A month was not enough time to get new had that. Seeing them come off the water with smiles is why I did
rowers up to speed for one of the most intense, difficult races this. Yes, we got a little too comfortable with one boat under the
in all of rowing. Looking toward next year, my hope is that we Weeks Footbridge, but that just got them more fired up. I hope
have a group of new rowers ready to go for not only the Head of more troopers jump on board next year and maybe have more than
the Charles Regatta, but the several races offered throughout the three and a half weeks to train!”
summer and fall.” By now you might be wondering how the team did in the race.
Coxswain Inna Oh, the high school senior, called her experience Well, as you have read, they had a great experience! It wasn’t
“eye-opening.” about winning; it was about enjoying a sport that they love and
“I loved getting to know Pat, Pat, Matt, and Sean,” Inna said. “My representing the department well. Mission accomplished. They
friends would ask me if it’s scary to boss around police officers, didn’t beat anyone in the 54 crew field. Their time of 24:27.164 sets
the Head of the Charles course record for the Massachusetts State
Police, a mark they hope to break next year.
French·and·electric·blue·November·2015·page·6
