Rowers make history on the Pend Oreille
<p>A group of eight rowers shred the Pend Oreille River on Sunday morning. (Courtesy photo)</p>
PRIEST RIVER — History was made last Sunday when the Pend Oreille Rowing and Paddling Association launched the Arthur Ericsson a Vespoli 8 for a five-mile row upriver to its summer home at Riley Creek Campground.
This is the first time in recorded history that an 8-man crew shell traveled in that section of the Pend Oreille River. The shell was provided from the Washington State Men’s Crew Team and oars were donated by Sacramento Aquatic Center with the help of Toby Johnson.
Community support volunteers, eight rowers and coxswain, Joseph Barber, met at 6 a.m. Sunday to launch the boat and warm up. Jim Russell of Sagle coached from the rescue boat captained by Guy Thomas as Todd and Patricia Sudick followed in their personal boat that served as return transport for the group.
The team, a mix of experienced and novice rowers from Newport, Priest River, Sandpoint and Sagle, included Ashley Irvin, Chris Irvin, Brad Bardwell, Mary Pepping, Lisa Larson, Jenny Smith, Gayne Sears and Erwin Muller.
Initially, Russell warmed up the group with basic rowing technique, boat stabilization and paired rowing. Even though some of the eight were seasoned college rowers, three had never rowed prior to Sunday’s launch.
Within the first two miles, the group came together and truly rowed as a team. Cheers from support vessels were heard across the glassy Pend Oreille as the oars locked in complete sync and feathered across the water.
According to Brad Bardwell, PORPA President, more rows will be scheduled as soon as PORPA completes final organizational set-up requirements. Maintaining a shell of this size is a costly operation, and the group is seeking donations of equipment and cash support. PORPA was founded because of the interest in rowing generated by the Head of the Pend Oreille Regatta, which will be held on Sept. 27.
PORPA is currently seeking additional members and look forward to an active rowing and paddling future.
For more information on joining or supporting PORPA, please visit www.porpa.org or contact Patricia Sudick via email at headrace@netw.com.