New “Head of the Rondout” Rowing Race at Museum

The Hudson River Maritime Museum and the Rondout Rowing Club will host a Head of the Rondout rowing race on Sunday, October 15, on the historic Rondout Creek in Kingston, New York.
 
“Head” races are time-trial rowing competitions. In Kingston, boats will launch one by one at the Museum, row up the Rondout toward the Eddyville Bridge, circle back, and race from the bridge to the Rondout Lighthouse. The three-mile course requires crews to navigate around some obstacles. Boats will begin launching at HRMM, at 50 Rondout Landing, at 8 a.m.

“This is a warm-up event for crews racing the Head of the Charles regatta in Boston the following weekend,” says HRMM Trustee Scott Johnson, who coaches the Kingston High School Varsity Crew team and organized this competition. Rondout Rowing Club has two teams competing on the Charles, “so this is ideal practice for us,” Johnson says.
The Head of the Rondout is designed for all ages and classes of boats, and it is open to all rowers, free of charge. Competitors will range from middle school students to adults. In addition to the Rondout Rowing Club youth crews, boats from the Rondout Rowing Club, the Hudson Valley Rowing Association, and other rowing teams and clubs will compete.

“Rondout Creek offers ideal conditions for a head race,” says Lisa Cline, executive director of HRMM. “The Hudson River Valley has a long history of rowing and we’re really excited to support this new race here in Kingston. The Head of the Rondout is another sign of the powerful resurgence of the sport of rowing in our area.”

Crews interested in competing should contact Scott Johnson at 845-901-2386. The deadline to register is October 7.

Members of the press are invited to attend. For more information, contact Tim Cross at 845-338-0071, ext 17.
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For more information about the Hudson River Maritime Museum, visit www.hrmm.org, like HRMM on Facebook, or call 845-338-0071.