Beach Crew Buzz — October 2025
Happy Halloween & Welcome
Issue No.4 of Beach Crew Buzz:
International Talent Edition!
The October edition features our fall racing schedule, spotlights our international students, recaps the alumni race and dinner, and takes a look back at the 2007 women’s crew coached by Steve Guentz. We’re thrilled that many of you will be joining us for the alumni race on November 15 and the lunch immediately following the regatta. Be advised! The alumni lunch will take place at the boathouse—Pete Archer Rowing Center at 2pm after the pancake regatta. Please remember to RSVP through the E-vite below, as space is limited. Thank you for reading and for your continued support of the program — Go Beach!
Check out our Fall 2025 Racing Schedule!
Head of the American - October 25
Location: Sacramento
Details: Select Varsity Only (Men/Women)
Battleship Row Regatta - November 2 (Sunday)
Location: USC
Details: Head Race
Team Dinner with Sac State and Cal Poly SLO - November 14
Location: Pete Archer Rowing Center
Naples Island Collegiate Rowing Challenge - November 15
Location: Long Beach - Naples Island/Marine Stadium
Details: Head Race - Varsity, Sprint Race - Novice
LBRA Christmas Regatta - December 7
Location: Long Beach - Marine Stadium
Details: Sprint Race
Meet our International Students!
My name is Prajwal, and I’m from India. I’m a first-year graduate student in Computer Science at CSULB, and I have one brother who’s a freshman in college back home. I’ve always loved sports—I grew up playing tennis and cricket—but when I came to CSULB as an international student, I wanted to try something new, something I couldn’t do back home. That’s when I discovered rowing. After joining the CSULB Rowing Team, I instantly fell in love with the sport. Every morning on the water, watching the sunrise and rowing together, I feel grateful to be part of this team—the bond we share, and how we push each other to be better every day. I want to thank my coach, Kelly, for the constant support and feedback that help us grow and become a stronger team.
Hey everyone! I’m Pavly, originally from Cairo, Egypt. I lived and studied there for 22 years before moving here in September 2023. I’m in my final semester at CSULB, studying Aerospace Engineering. I have an older brother and sister — there’s a 10- and 8-year age gap between us, so yeah, pretty big difference! I live here with my parents, while my brother’s still in Egypt and my sister’s in the UAE.
I joined rowing kind of by chance during Week of Welcome when I stopped by the rowing club booth — everyone seemed really cool, and I wanted to try something new. After my first week, I was hooked. It’s been an incredible experience. Waking up at 5 a.m. isn’t easy, but it teaches you discipline and shows how much more your mind can push through than you think. There’s something peaceful about rowing in the early mornings, watching the sunrise — it’s honestly one of my favorite parts.
Rowing is also a great full-body workout; I’ve been in the best shape of my life this semester, and it helps me get things done early before most people are even awake. But the best part is definitely the people — the teammates and coaches who motivate and support each other every day. Joining rowing has been one of the best decisions I’ve made, and I’m really glad I gave it a shot.
LBSU Lightweight Women’s Crew Ranked #7 in U.S. Class of 2007
From 2004 to 2008, the CSULB Women’s Crew, coached by Steve Guentz, was one of the fastest lightweight programs in the country. During the 2006–2007 season, the team’s lightweight eight placed second at WIRA (Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association), missing first place by just 0.01 seconds.
As recounted by Elena Delgado, “The final for the open pair at WIRA was the hardest and most fun race. It was basically CSULB vs. UCSD. After a false start, it was clear this was going to be a battle since we were the only two boats out in front. We were pulling so hard it was difficult to stay on course. With about 250 meters to go, I remember Alyssa calling, ‘Got them,’ and we put the hammer down to win.” That same year, the Novice Lightweight 4 took first place, while the Varsity Lightweight 4 and Varsity Open 8 both finished second.
After a strong showing at WIRA, Coach Guentz took the team to the Dad Vail Regatta in Philadelphia on the Schuylkill River, where they dominated, winning both the eight and the pair by open water. Alyssa Floyd and Elena Delgado rowed the open pair and went undefeated that season. One alumna recalled, “We dominated at Dad Vails. So many of our boats won by open water. We collected so many shirts that it was hard to keep their weight from straining our necks!”
Reflecting on her time as captain, Elena shared that rowing at CSULB taught her lifelong lessons in leadership, discipline, and balance — skills that later helped her build and run her own aquatics program. Like many of us, she credits rowing for instilling a strong work ethic, teamwork, and lifelong friendships.
Special thanks to Elena Delgado, Class of 2008, for sharing the story of one of CSULB Women’s Crew’s most successful eras.
Upcoming Alumni Events!
Naples Island Collegiate Rowing Challenge and Alumni Race.
The alumni race will start on 9:00am on Saturday, November 15. Those who are putting together your boat should collect the $50.00 from each rower in your boat. In addition, all alumni participating in the race should be at the boathouse by 7:30 am to find your boat, set up before launching.
8:15am - Alumni Boats launch and warm up
8:45am - Introduction of Alumni Boats
9:00am - Alumni Race – from 1500m pole to boathouse – 350m
Beach Crew Alumni Lunch - Taco Beach
The venue has changed for our alumni gathering to the wash deck of the boathouse. Due to a number of alumni who have stated they will be attending, Taco Beach is unable to handle the large crowd. This said, our new venue will be the wash deck at the boathouse in a covered canopy with Taco Beach providing lunch. An Evite was sent earlier in October. Please RSVP as Kevan needs to know how much food to provide. The time of the lunch will be 2:00 pm, after the pancake regatta on Saturday, November 15.
Click the link below to RSVP to the lunch!
Share a Memory
If you’d like, upload a favorite photo or short story from your rowing days — we’ll add it to the memory wall during the event! Click the link below to join the google photos group and add your memories!
