members only / 2023 YEAR IN REVIEW
For the last two years, it has been my honor and privilege to serve as President of the New Haven Rowing Club. The governance of our club has been structured by our founders with a future vision of prosperity and volunteerism that will surely endure the test of time.
Our current Board of Directors demonstrated strong teamwork and leadership by delivering changes that will reshape our future. Notable achievements include the approval of our downstream storage facility by the Town of Oxford and membership approval of our revised investment policies and club bylaws. In addition, we made investments in new equipment and established a mutually beneficial relationship with our local boat manufacturer, Vespoli USA. We purchased a new coaching launch and upgraded our safety equipment and guidelines.
Our team of volunteers prepared for an exciting Head of the Housatonic Regatta. However, river conditions were unsafe, and the regatta was cancelled. While this was a disappointment, we are well prepared for the Head of the Housatonic 2024. Our men’s and women’s competitive teams had a memorable 2023, competing in over 20 regattas with many strong finishes.
ANNUAL MEETING & ELECTIONS
The Annual Meeting was conducted live at the NHRC Boathouse, and we provided the option for remote attendance (via Zoom) for those members who could not be present in person. The meeting took place on March 9, with over 40 members participating in person and 6 members attending remotely.
The election results were as follows:
Officers:
Matt Broder, President
Saman Majd, Vice President
Susan Schmidt, Treasurer
Kevin Manning, Secretary
Newly Elected Directors:
Dave Cremin
Steve Grant
Sue Lane
Returning Directors:
Dan Schley
Laura Nowacki
ANNUAL VOLUNTEER AWARD
The Annual Volunteer Award was established by the Board of Directors to honor a member who demonstrated exceptional volunteerism during the previous year. Chris Pace was chosen by the board to be the fourth recipient of this award.
2023 Membership Statistics
At the end of 2023, we had 81 regular members, with 8 being new. Additionally, we welcomed 2 new student members, 3 coxswains (2 of whom were new), 3 non-resident members (1 being new), 6 associate members, and 8 Emeritus members. Moreover, we had 8 winter rowing members, with 2 joining full-time.
HOH 2025 Committee (New in 2023)
Members: Susan Schmidt, Peter Becker, Matt Broder, Humberto Garcia, Harry Gigas, Rebecca Hatcher, Andy Kraus, Sharon Lin, Kevin Manning, Andrea Schley, Dan Schley, and Mark Schofield
The committee was formed to examine the feasibility, processes, and strategy to deliver a full 2-day HOH Regatta in 2025.
Downstream Project Committee
Members: Stu Lathers, David Cremin, John Gorman, and Dave Thomas
The Downstream Committee received Town of Oxford approval for the new storage facility on the NHRC downstream property in October 2023. Final property surveys and merger maps were signed and delivered in December 2023. In 2024, a planning and management structure is being created to propose a final plan to the NHRC membership for approval.
Coaching Committee
Members: Peter Becker, Gerry Friel, Audrey Novak, and Laura Nowacki
With much thanks to the coaches, Margaret Gordon and Dave Vogel, who coached 100 sweep sessions and 54 sculling sessions. Additionally, sweep rowers participated in sessions with Yale Coach Mike Gennaro in the spring (funded by donation). Furthermore, there were 14 participants in the 2023 learn-to-row program, with 2 subsequently joining the club full-time.
Rowing Committee
Members: Dan Schley, Andy Jackson, Julie Brown, Heather Friel, Mark Schofield, and Dave Vogel
The team successfully proposed a new investment in a fleet of boats from Vespoli and new sculling oars from Concept 2. Boats were clearly identified by configuration and weight class, and all sculling oars and riggers were set with consistent measurements to meet the needs of our rowers.
A new rack space policy was created to ensure equitable distribution of rack spaces among our active rowers. Additionally, a new system for organized storage of sweep and sculling riggers was implemented, and a new workbench along with a range of new tools were purchased and installed.
Building and Grounds Committee
Members: Dave Thomas, John McCarthy, Bill Gardiner, Stu Lathers, Leonti Dailis, and Ned Williams
The team repaired the heating ducts and replaced the filters in the HVAC systems. The boathouse passed the Town of Oxford fire inspection with no violations. Several plumbing issues were repaired, and motion sensor lighting was installed around the outside of the boathouse. We also collaborated with the Rowing Committee to find the appropriate location for storing sculling riggers.
Safety Committee
Members: Kevin Manning, Eric Dannemann, Leonti Dailis, Laura Nowacki, Susan Schmidt, and Dan Schley
The team revised the safety guidelines, including updated fog and river level rules. We also raised awareness regarding Hi-Viz clothing and completed AED training. Additionally, we conducted evaluations for new members and new rowers.
Social Committee
Members: Chris Pace, Laura Nowacki, and Carrie Gordon
The Social Committee hosted many breakfasts this year, including the New Year’s Day row. Additionally, they hosted a well-attended holiday party during the month of December. The social committee activities were fully funded by donations from the membership.
Club Regattas
Derby Sweeps & Sculls (DSS)
Regatta Co-Directors: Rebecca Hatcher and Kevin Manning
Head of the Housatonic (HOH)
Regatta Director: Mitz Carr
This was the last year for the DSS regatta. Both Kevin Manning and Rebecca Hatcher did an outstanding job delivering a memorable event. The HOH Regatta Director, Mitz Carr, worked tirelessly along with many NHRC volunteers to prepare for the 2023 Head of the Housatonic. Entries in the event were at an all-time high, but the team was concerned about the high amount of rain flooding the river. After conferring with the US Rowing Referees, the decision was made to cancel the event due to river flooding, debris, and concerns for the safety of the competitors.
Racing and other activities
The men’s and women’s competitive sweep and sculling programs competed successfully in both spring and fall regattas. In typical NHRC fashion, all of our teams were well-coached and competitive throughout the year. Many of our competing members participated in the following events: Head of the Lagoon, Head of the Occoquan, Head of the Schuylkill Regatta, Head of the Charles, Head of the Quinobequin, Head of the Riverfront, Green Mountain Head Regatta, CRI Fall Classic, Head of the Cuyahoga, Springfield Rockrimmon Regatta, Overpeck Summer Sprints, USRowing Masters National Championships, CBC Invitational Regatta, Rockland Masters Regatta, Independence Day Regatta, Cromwell Cup, Diamond State USRowing Northeast Mid-Atlantic Masters Regional Championships, Derby Sweeps and Sculls, C.R.A.S.H.-B. Sprints, and Sarasota Invitational. You can view all the results on Regatta Central, Herenow, Ronin Racing, or the individual regatta website. All NHRC members are welcome to compete, and we are especially proud of our Legacy members who not only compete in their 70s and 80s but consistently are top contenders.
Legacy Committee
Members: Dave Thomas, Jen Brackett, Libby Muligan, Amy Jean Porter, Norm Thetford, and Baxter Walsh
Mike Weiner is sponsoring the story and video production of four legacy members who average over 80 years old and competed at the 2023 Head of the Charles Regatta. The production will be presented on April 14th at the New Haven Rowing Club Boathouse for all to see. These legacy members, Baxter Walsh, Ned Williams, Peter Derow, and Dave Vogel, made history by being the first over-80-year-old quad to compete at the HOCR. Please take a moment to click the following link to view the trailer of the upcoming event: https://youtu.be/yQ9b0Mr3yik
—David Thomas, President, March 2024
