As happens each December - with this time marking the twentieth year - Berkeley High Crew alumni, some of whom have gone off to row at the collegiate level, returned to the Bay Area to challenge our current team. On December 20th, JLAC provided the setting for this year's reunion.
Three races were held that day. The first, a race of four 8s, was handily won by the novice men, a good indication of the team's future! Four boats contested in the second race: two 4s, one quad and a pair. The alumni men pulled it out, avoiding a coach's threat that they'd have to wash the boats if they lost. The final race included mixed teams and an all-coxswain boat. The mixed lightweight 8 won the race, just squeaking past the cox boat! (Sort of.) One certain Crew Board President was overheard saying something about the cox boat being a "boat full of backseat drivers." Many expressed concern that the coxes may have been slowed down by the fact that they had nine PA systems installed in that one boat. Next year, a design change could make the difference.
