Rowing is a great sport for enjoying the outdoors, staying fit, and competing in regattas. It’s also an excellent way to make friends and have fun! Here at GDRA, we are free to row any time of day. Even on the hottest summer days, people often get together to row early in the morning or late in the afternoon when it’s cooler. Our June Learn-to-Row class, which meets on weekend mornings, has been making good progress, and we’re looking forward to having new rowing buddies.

GDRA just purchased a new boat, which was delivered Monday, June 23. It is a lightweight Peinert single in a pretty sky-blue color, just right for our smaller rowers to enjoy. This photo shows the new boat above two of our older Peinerts. The new single is a modern style, bow-rigged with carbon fiber riggers. It is lighter and easier for small women to carry.

Traveling to regattas is also a great way to make and keep in touch with friends. GDRA rowers often travel to regattas with members of the Greater Columbus and Great Miami teams, sharing boat space on one trailer to make the logistics easier. We sometimes row with members of other clubs in composite boats—that’s more races and more fun for everybody!

So far this year, GDRA rowers have raced at the Sarasota Sprints, the Percy Priest Sprints in Nashville, the Dogwood Masters in Oak Ridge, and the Indianapolis Summer Sprints, with an upcoming race this weekend in Oklahoma City—the Stars & Stripes regatta. We’re always glad to welcome new people to travel with us.