BIAC Fall Regatta 2011

It’s hard to believe that head racing season came and went in a flurry already.  Every year, right in the middle of the season, I tell myself NOT to sign up for so many damn races.  Racing can easily devour most of your weekend and leave an unhappy husband and child waiting for you at the end.

Boats at San Mateo Marina Park for the BIAC Fall regatta;
copyright John Young

 This year’s BIAC Fall regatta was on the sixth of November, a Sunday.  I had never done this regatta before, but it and the Head of the Lagoon (the following weekend) are notorious for the twisty, winding, man-made courses tucked away in the quiet neighborhoods of San Mateo and Foster City, respectively. 

The weekend started off with cold and rainy weather on Saturday.  All the BIAC volunteers, myself included, met that day to review our roles and prepare for the next day. 

Sunday began cold, but dry, and the skies eventually cleared for a wonderful, crisp fall day.  I had volunteered for the early morning, 5am trailer parking shift.  I arrived to a dark, deserted San Mateo Marina Park where a number of trailers had already arrived the day before.  Someone had generously left a folding chair, and I sat on the chair, under a street lamp. 

Men's Masters single from BIAC; look at that flat water!

According to other BIAC rowers, the BIAC regatta is typically a relatively good-sized regatta.  The parking lot is usually packed with trailers with no room to rig, and boats are crowded onto the shore.  This year, due to the Newport Autumn Rowing Festival (NARF) happening on the same weekend, participation was unusually low—less than 100 entries.  NARF is the Southern California version of Head of the American.  Many junior and college crews will travel to NARF.

By 8am, all the trailers were parked and luxuriously spaced in the parking lot.  All except for one—the Marin trailer.  Several Marin scullers were anxiously waiting and actually missed their race.  On the way to the regatta, the Marin trailer had gotten a flat.  A little after 9, their trailer finally pulled in.  The scullers who missed their race were still able to race the course and have their times counted.

Marin sculler - David

Marin sculler - Bill

 I had one race—the Women’s Open 4x.  There were no other boats entered in our event so it was really just going to be a pseudo-race.  It was also my first race in a BIAC team boat.

Boat photo

Warming up

Our row went well.  We started out at about a 28spm and remained there for most of the race.  The water was relatively calm, but a headwind pushed against us and got stronger towards the end.  As we passed the launching area with about 1,000 meters left to go, I started wondering where the line was.  We passed the line, just ahead of two singles from the new Oakland youth rowing program.

During the race

During the race

I was lucky not be in bow and not have to steer the crazy course!  The buoys were small and at some points, it was hard to discern where the actual course was. 

San Francisco Bay Blades 4x at BIAC Fall Regatta;
copyright Nancy Brown

 Despite being a smaller than usual, the regatta went smoothly.  After my race, I was anxious to be at home after three consecutive weekends of racing.

LMRC Men's Masters 2x; copyright Nancy Brown