Head Race Season is Back!

Photo by Jasmine McGill

10 October 2016

By Sean McCrea

Men’s Varsity rower

After a long hiatus over the summer, Long Beach State (LBS) rowing is back. The women and men took to the water on Sunday the 2nd of October for the first time since the ACRA championships in May for some, and WIRA championships in April for most. Joining Long Beach State in the Bay Series “Most Ordinary” Regatta were; Long Beach Rowing Association (LBRA), Long Beach Junior Crew (LBJC), LA Rowing Club (LARC), a handful of SoCal Scullers, and, Heaven’s Devils (mixed M/W LBRA/LBS 4x)

Photo by Brittany Trinh

Long Beach State women seeing their first action since the ACRA National Championships in Gainesville, GA, where their varsity lightweight 4+ (Rikki, Zee, Emily, Janie, and Sarah) won gold and their open 1x (Destanie) won silver. Coaches Ian Simpson and Alyssa Sunofsky sent out a pair of Varsity pairs, a 4+ and an 8+. The women looked good out there on Sunday, and they have high hopes for similar results as last year to happen again this year. When asked what she thought about the Bay Series, Varsity rower Emily Seiersen said, “It was a fun race to start the season off with and an amazing first experience racing in the pair! I’m hoping Megan DeVore and I can race the pair more in the future.”

Long Beach State men were in the same boat as the women, no pun intended. Last week’s Bay Series was also their first action since the ACRA and WIRA Championships. Coaches AC Chacon and Brent Underwood sent out two 8+’s a piece for Varsity and Novice crews on Sunday. The men’s V8+ had a strong showing, nabbing 2nd overall and shaving 50+ seconds off of their time from last year. A refreshing start to the season for the men. Novice rower Jonathan Ichino got a taste of his first regatta action. I asked him what his thoughts were on the race and he said, “It was fun… but really tiring.”

Big thanks to LBRA for organizing and hosting this Bay Series, and the many more to come in the future!

With head race season upon us, it is time for the men and women’s crews to get back into the swing of things as they gear up for San Diego Fall Classic in mid-November. Furthermore, there will be a few more head race style regattas that we’ll be sure to keep you updated on. Thanks for stopping by, that’ll be way enough for now… ROW BEACH!