A shout-out to the July-August Learn to Row class and their instructors! After demonstrating their proficiency in rowing singles and qualifying as full-fledged GDRA members when their scheduled sessions ended, the Learn to Row students happily came back for extra lessons rowing doubles the following weekend. That definitely showed their ambition and dedication!

GDRA’s competition team also showed plenty of ambition in traveling to the RowFest National Championships in Oklahoma City in July, testing their mettle against the best rowers in the nation. Our Racing Captain, Ben Boehm, wrote the following report:

Five members of Greater Dayton Rowing traveled to Oklahoma City July 14 to July 21 for the USRowing RowFest National Championships. One hundred six rowing clubs from across the country competed in the event. Rowers from Greater Dayton rowing won medals in 19 events, including winning 4 national championships. Ben Boehm arrived before the rest of the team to participate in the open racing on July 14 and finished 4th in the Open Lightweight Double. The team had outstanding results in the age group events July 18 -21. Ben won 9 medals (3 gold, 5 silver, 1 bronze), Ryan Briggs won 7 medals (2 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze), Deborah Taylor won 7 medals (3 silver, 4 bonze), and Meg Evans won a bronze medal. Brian White also represented Greater Dayton at the championships. Highlights of for Greater Dayton Rowing members included winning the Lightweight Quadruple Sculls (over 43 years old) (Briggs, Boehm), Lightweight Quadruple Sculls (over 50 years old) (Briggs), Lightweight Single Sculls (over 43 years old) (Boehm), and Heavyweight Double Sculls (over 50 years old) (Boehm).

GDRA also was represented at the Midwest Summer Sprints in Nashport, Ohio on July 27, where Richard Pierce competed in a single.