Editor’s Note: This release was provided by the Pelham Community Rowing Association 

Glen Island NY,: Pelham Community Rowing continues to display exceptional strength and racing skills in its Youth and Master’s programs, delivering multiple top 10 and medal garnering performances across two of the most competitive Head races of the Fall season.

PCRA’s Boys Youth 4+ finished in the top 20 at the Head of the Charles River, an accomplishment that puts them competitive with the top teams in the country. Starting in Bow #24, the Varsity 4+ was able to put together a quality performance and show that they are a boat to be reckoned with. Coming out of the gates, the boys were pushing hard on the boats in front of them and pushing the boats behind them further back. With a strong rhythm, and excellent coxing, the boat was able to move through the pack and ended up finishing in 17th place amongst a field of 85 boats.

The Varsity 8+, consisting of 7 seniors, had a similar start as the 4+ and found a strong rhythm right off the bat. The crew has worked very hard at being physical and aggressive at base pace this fall and that showed all the way down the course. Towards the end of the racing, the boat found itself in a bit of a mishap which ended up costing them valuable time on the clock. Up to that point, the boat found itself right in the thick of the racing based on the splits the regatta gives at each checkpoint. Despite this, the boys regained composure and fought incredibly well and finished with their heads held high.

PCRA’s Girls coxed 4X, a boat comprised of Freshman and Sophomores, delivered the best ever finish for a PCRA boat at the Head of the Charles River. The girls finished in the top 10, 8th in a field behind international competition. Starting at the back of the pack, the coxed quad was exceptionally managed, passing several boats as they made their way through the field.

The Girls Varsity 4+, a boat of tough competitors had a quality row, missing qualifying by half a second and finishing 44th out of 87 crews, improving their finish over the winning time by 40 seconds over last year’s performance, no small feat in an event as competitive as the Charles. The Team’s momentum continued with standout performances, despite the driving rain, in Philadelphia at the Head of the Schukull. Coach Johnson took advantage of the open registration not available at the Charles and raced a V1 and V2 Boys Youth 8+. Both boats raced well, with the 1 V missing their goal of top 10 by less than a second, coming in 11 out of a field of 48 boats.

Not to be outdone, the girls from the Charles coxed quad had their sites on top 3 finish in the Girls 4X, walking away with a silver medal, 3 seconds off of first place. Right on their heels, the Girls JV 4X had a top 10 finish, finishing 8th.

Taking advantage of the shorter course and maximizing water race time, PCRA also delivered solid performances with athletes double rowing in the Girls V4+ and several 1X and 2X races. Not to be overshadowed by the Youth, PCRA’s Masters showed up to medal in the Men’s Masters 4+ at Head of the Schuylkill River and requalified the “Robbie Fresh”, a boat dedicated to their late teammate Rob Constable, at the Head of the Charles.

PCRA’s master’s women gave a strong performance at the Head of the Schuylkill River missing a 4th place finish in the Women’s 8+ by 3 seconds.

With a few more weeks on the water PCRA will turn to its new indoor training facility in Pelham NY at 91 Wolf’s Lane.