Boulder Community Rowing Notches a Win at World-famous Regatta

In a stunning and unprecedented victory, Boulder Community Rowing (BCR) defied odds to claim multiple accolades at the renowned Head of the Charles Regatta this past weekend in Boston.

The club’s achievements at this race have garnered attention and respect from local and broader rowing communities. The Head of the Charles Regatta — the world’s largest two-day rowing regatta — draws over 11,000 athletes from around the globe and attracts thousands more spectators. To say that the Boulder teams were underdogs in Boston is an understatement. And yet, with a 0.8-second edge over the second-place finisher, the 40+ Masters Women Fours crew, from a state known for its mountains instead of water, now claims a prestigious Head of the Charles gold medal.

The 1st-place victory, BCR’s first at this event, occurred on Saturday. Lauren Harrell (stroke seat), Melanie Hobart (3-seat), Susan Adams (2-seat), and Zoe Gentes (bow seat), steered by Wendy Gutcher (coxswain), passed half a dozen boats around both sharp and sweeping river curves to secure a win with time of 19:21.496.

Also on Saturday, Lauren Wilson and Adriane Turner represented BCR in the 30+ Women’s Masters Doubles, earning an impressive 3rd-place finish, Another Colorado rower and a founding member of BCR Cinda Graubard made headlines with team Endeavour in the Women’s Grand Master Eights (60+) category — her boat set a new course record by a whopping 25 seconds. Notably, this was Cinda’s second course record, having set one in 2017.

During the Sunday racing, yet another BCR member, Deanne Little, finished 2nd with a composite team in the Mixed Eights (both men and women rowing together), in a row that held particular significance as it honored the memory of his late wife, Susan Little.

“Achieving this level of success, particularly against robust competition from places and programs where rowing resources are abundant, is beyond our wildest dreams,” said Susan Adams, a BCR Board Member. “In the four, we aimed for a top-ten finish, but this result is far beyond what we’d imagined. There were definitely tears of joy when we found out we’d won.”

The accomplishments of Colorado rowers this weekend at the Head of the Charles Regatta is phenomenal. The victories of BCR competitors in particular send a powerful message: that a local, determined group of individuals can achieve greatness even in the face of significant challenges. BCR practices on the North Boulder Reservoir, where it has operated since 2000 and where it has weathered hardships, a pandemic, and significant resource limitations. Its membership has changed over the years, comprised of both seasoned and novice rowers, but the heart and mission remain the same, knowing when  people step into the boat together they will go that extra mile for their teammates.

Or maybe even all the way to Boston.

Top Photo: 40+ Women’s Masters 4+
Bottom Photo: 30+ Women’s Masters 2X