2011 Erg-a-thon A Success!

Video by Mike Gill.

See more photos at smugmug. Thanks, Eric!

After a sunny and brisk early morning practice on the estuary, the women's varsity and novice teams headed back to BHS Saturday morning to gather the erg machines and set up for the team's annual Ergathon fundraiser, held this year in downtown Berkeley. Parent volunteer Jim Clara had organized an efficient cadre of parents to raise the team canopies that shelter the team food and merchandise for sale.

"I am really impressed with how our Crew families stepped up to help stage this event. We had 20 people working the food table, merchandise, signage, delivering supplies, keeping an eye out for safety. Special thanks to Cindy Phillips-Romick for organizing the food table and John Godin, Jim Meador and Tres Fontaine worked the entire day until the last item was packed in the truck," he said.

Following the women, the men's varsity and novice teams arrived from practice a little after noon and did their part to keep the ergs humming.

Nearby were the tents that shelter the Occupy Berkeley movement, as well as farmers market and holiday craft fair canopies. All coexisted peacefully as the women's teams set up their ergs in a semicircle around the erstwhile fountain in Civic Center park, and started in on their erg pieces. Coxswains stood nearby shouting instructions, and teammates shouted encouragement as they huddled around the fountain awaiting their turn on the ergs. Parents and supporters drifted by, admired the mock-up of the latest BHS Crew Calendar (coming soon!), and tried not to get on their kids' nerves.

Don't forget to keep the Holiday Sprints on your calendar!  Come on down and cheer for both the current team and the BHS alumni rowers.  That'll be happening on Sunday, December 18th at JLAC.