Membership registration has been open since April 1^st, 2012, many thanks to the valued contribution of our officers and other members. We would also like to thank members that already joined using our website, and gave us feedback about the new process. After working out some kinks and details, we thought it is appropriate to make an announcement now.

To join GCRA, and purchase membership, equipment usage, locker rental and/or coaching services, please follow the steps outlined below, which are also provided on the section named "Join" under "Membership" in the main menu on the left side or click here.

1. To join GCRA as a member, click the “JOIN” link below.

2. Click on Membership Registration to select your membership type and add it to your shopping cart. You can then also add equipment, coaching, locker rental into your shopping cart. Please make sure to add services that are applicable to you.

3. At the time of check out you will be asked to sign into Regatta Central.  If you are not already a member, you will be asked to create an account.

4. Answer the registration questions & acknowledge all terms and agreements

5. When you check out, you can pay by credit card, PayPal or check. To pay the fees in three installments, choose the check payment option and make sure to send your checks by May 15th, June 15th, and July 15th, 2012; for the first, second and final installments respectively.

6. After registration is complete, you will receive an e-mail with your GCRA website login information, if you do not already have a login, within a week. This way, you will be able to access the GCRA website content that is available to members only.

7. If you own a boat and are allowed by the Boathouse committee to store your boats, please go to the Online store to purchase boat storage.

JOIN

Pricing outlook:

Adult Full Year Membership: $400

Adult Half Year Membership: $200

Collegiate Membership: $225

Coxswain Membership (with erg usage): $25

Full Year Equipment Fee: $275

Half Year Equipment Fee: $135

Coached Program: $225 (April 30 - October 13)

Learn to Row: 

LTR 1: $300

LTR 2: $275

Adaptive Rowing: Contact TAASC for opportunities.

Small Boats: $20

Launch Driver Training: Complimentary

Technique Program: Complimentary

Coxswain Training: TBD

Single Boat Storage: $250 (30 rows required with the boat within a year)

Double/Pair Boat Storage: $350 (30 rows required with the boat within a year)

Locker Rental: $50 (First Come First Served)

NOTE: Our registration is not visible on Regatta Central’s web site. It is only available via the link provided above.

The 4 Oar Rule has been lifted.

Please-

Row smart: know your early-season technical and physical limits

Row safe: be visible, check equipment before launching, and follow the traffic pattern

Be courteous: in the boathouse, on the docks, and on the water

Enjoy!

Election Results

Officers for 2012 are:
Ryan Briggs, President
Judy D'Andrea, Vice President
Charlie Kennedy, Treasurer
Lindsay Catlin, Secretary

If you noticed the number 23 in the GCRA display case and were wondering, that represents the bow marker that the Senior Women’s Masters Four+ (>50 yrs) carried at the Head of the Charles in Boston Oct 22. The Head of the Charles is the largest two-day regatta in North America and draws former, current, and aspiring Olympians from around the world to test their skills on the 2.9 Mile course that winds its way between Boston and Cambridge. Given the level of the competition, it can be difficult to even gain entry to this regatta. Crews that finish in the top 50% secure an entry for next year and all others potential entries are relegated to a random draw.

The rowers (Mary B., Kristie S., Dana P, and Vicki H) started in position 23 out of 24 entries and powered their way to a sixth place finish with a time that was only 3.71% behind the winning boat. Erika B., an OSU graduate and former coxswain for the NCAA women’s team, coxed what is known as a “coxswain’s race” due to the twists and turns in the course. Lynne O., who was umpiring on the River St. Bridge, which is about a mile into the race and spans the area known as the “power stretch”, cheered silently as they blasted through the competition. Later Vicki said “It was fun to pass seven boats.” Congratulations to this crew for demonstrating how hard work and persistence can pay off. Their finish guarantees GCRA an entry in this category next year. For additional information, see hocr.org

Also rowing at the Charles was Micheala B., a GCRA member who recently moved to Wisconsin. She and Kathleen C., a referee from San Diego, rowed in the Women’s Masters Double. Although they didn’t finish high enough for a guaranteed entry next year, they were pleased with their row and the opportunity to participate in such a significant event.

Several dozen GCRA rowers representing both the RTR and CTR programs participated in the Head of the Cuyahoga in Cleveland on September 17, 2011. The regatta was the first head race at that venue since the Cleveland Rowing Foundation moved into its new boathouse. The site was very hospitable and bodes well for the first USRowing Masters Head Race to be held there next fall. GCRA did well in both sweep and scull categories with gold medals going to the WM4+ and the WRec4+, silver going to the MixRec8+ and the W1x(C), and bronze going to the MixM2x and W1x(D). Congratulations to all for a strong showing for the first race of the head racing season.