Oct 16, 2009 6:37 pm US/Eastern
Rowers Excited For Regatta, Despite Bad Weather
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
Despite the forecast for rain and winds, rowers getting ready for the Head of the Charles Regatta are upbeat about the race.
"It's a little crazy but we're always ready for a challenge. It makes it a little exciting," said Sarah Rolan, of Pittsburgh.
Rowers say the temperatures aren't the problem, but the wind can cause safety concerns.
"Once you get out on the water you can warm up, you start moving, start rowing, but the wind you can't do anything about," Rolan said.
Former Olympian Joan Van Blom is hoping for more weather like Friday's conditions.
"Actually it was better than I thought it would be so it wasn't too bad compared to how miserable I thought it would be."
Dan Walsh, a Beijing bronze medalist and Northeastern grad, is used to New England extremes.
"It's either beautiful or it's going to be cold. You gotta pack your gear."
Fred Schoch, the Executive Director of Head of the Charles, says Saturday doesn't look like it could be an issue, but Sunday could be a problem.
"The real show stopper for the Head of the Charles is when we get a direct easterly wind that comes from downtown into the basin, across Mass Ave and into the BU bridge. And what happens is the waves start to roll and it becomes unsafe for the boats to turn around."
If that is the case, they can shorten the course by half a mile so the rowers start in a more protected area. The course was shortened once due to weather in 2004. They have canceled the races in the past because of the weather, most recently in 1996.
For spectators, this year has an exciting international field.
A group of athletes from around the world have come together to row in one boat called The Great Eight. This is their first time rowing in the United States.
"You'll see the precision and the power it's very exciting, it will be like a dream team in basketball," said Schoch.
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