For 48 years the Head of the Charles Regatta has been one of the most prestigious events when it comes to crew racing, and this year the Newport Aquatic Center Boys Varsity Boat will be traveling to Boston, Mass., to compete on Oct 22.
The NAC boat will be competing against 80 other teams in the Youth Eights division to see who will receive the fastest time.
“We want to re-emerge as one of the better programs on the West Coast,” said head coach Jeff Collett this week.
The NAC waited till two weeks before the race to choose the lineup of only eight boys out of a team of 42. But even though there are only eight rowers, the Head of the Charles race will be a team success and learning experience.
“They guys are working real hard to right the wrong from last year,” said Collett, “and with a good novice class, we are rebuilding a deeper program for crew.”
For Collett, this is all about his kids’ exposure to crew, because it is more of an East Coast sport. The Varsity team will get the privilege of watching the best rowers in the world on the National team, exploring Boston University’s Boathouse and learning how to become a stronger team.
