Four Rats and two Nails (one shiny, one polished by time) represented Port Townsend
at the Kitsap Invitational Summer Scrimmage, or KISS, held on Sunday, July 28. The
friendly folks of Kitsap invite several of our local clubs to this fund-raising event.
The race course was in Liberty Bay along the shoreline of Poulsbo. The day was
marginal even by Port Townsend standards: wind blowing up into Liberty Bay from the
southeast, cloudy and cool. There were two heats: eights (sweep, no Octs on this
course!), and quads/doubles/singles in the second. The course, which was about 5000
meters, required a 180 degree turn around a buoy, requiring most boats to perform a
rushed river turn in windy, choppy conditions. Another good reason to practice this skill
on everyday rows.
We decided to participate in the regatta’s “Ham and Egg” style setting of boats. This
term, originating from the University of Washington, describes the mix and match style
of setting boat crews. (There is another theory that it is named because the UW rowers
went for ham and eggs after the row.) We are indebted to Bainbridge Island Rowing for
not only bringing the boats, but also providing coxswains (for both eights and quads)
familiar with the course. The effort required by the local clubs to de-rig, transport, re-rig,
transport, and clean up afterwards was monumental, making our participating easy as
cake.
Speaking of cake, there was potluck food available during the whole race, allowing a
quick downing of a muffin for extra energy, or a full plate of salads, sandwiches, fruit,
and chips afterwards.
Aimee M, Andrea (shiny Nail), Mari and Peggy decided to participate in the eight sweep
race that got started about 9:00 a.m. Aimee stroked in her boat, with Mari in Seat 3.
They came in second in the heat, with a time of 25:38:52. Nice job Aimee and Mari!
The quad race was next, with Aimee, Andrea and Peggy hot-seating to the next event.
Aimee, Donna and Ted were assigned to one quad (in a boat named Ted) with another
rower who did not show up, so Mari jumped in to help them take second on the quad
course (time of 22:55.37)! Peggy got to row with some strong Bainbridge Island rowers for the quad race, taking the overall leading time of the quad race of 21:46.33. The Rats
and Nails really showed their competence in the challenging conditions.
Everyone helped to load the boats back on Bainbridge Island Rower’s big trailer. When
someone noticed that the trailer had a flat tire, Donna jumped into action, pulling out the
mobile air compressor she and her resourceful husband keeps in the car, saving the
day!
In addition to Port Townsend, there were a few rowers from Sequim and Port Angeles
as well. The Kitsap crew announced that they were hoping for more participation from
“up north” so next year, let’s send some crews!
More details and photos available on Kitsap Rowing Club’s Facebook page
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