| Corporate Programs at CRI
News & Updates
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Last week was an incredibly successful week for corporate programs at CRI. We welcomed over 400 clients to rowing at CRI by hosting 3 team building rows, and kicked off our most successful Charles River Rowing season yet. All in one Week!
The Charles River Rowing League kicked off Session 1 of 3 last week with 135 new rowers making up 14 boats. Teams like Tufts Health Plan, Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Liaison, CrossFit Arsenal, and Wellbridge Athletic Club came to the boathouse and learned to row on the ergs, carry equipment, and race in the barges. This week they will be out in eights for the first time! At the end of 6 weeks all 14 teams will race for bragging rights and enjoy a BBQ with family and friends. If you're interested in volunteering for the league or you know of a company that would like to field a team and row in Session 2 (June 21st to July 28th), please put them in touch with Patrick Larcom and he will get them on the water - patrick.larcom@communityrowing.org
On Tuesday we hosted a two boat group of regional leaders from Parexel International. They used our team building row as a fun break from a week of meetings and a chance to build camaraderie and communication between leaders operating across the globe. Thanks to Head Coach Ariel Handler and coaches Andrew Tennant and Andrew Voorhees for putting on a very professional event. All of the rowers had fun and got to enjoy lunch in the sun afterwards. Thanks also to all of the volunteers who really made the experience one of a kind: John Langermann, Robert Bacon, Peter McGowan, Kevin Foley, Fred Jones, Donna Jacobites, Ann Redmon, Emily Dwyer, and Mary Foster.
On Thursday we hosted Permira Advisors for a 56 person teambuilding row in 8+s. The crews took to the sport easily lead by Head Coach Nigel Gallaher. The weather was just right to get the boats out and in the pond tolearn to row and rev up some friendly competition between boats. After the row, crews met under the tent for some refreshments and team spirit. Once again, our volunteers rallied to make this happen for us. They jumped in to setup equipment, rowed in empty seats and also hoped in the coxswain seat when necessary. Thank you volunteers for your help in making that an excellent experience for Permira; Richard Armster, Laura Davis, John Langerman, Richard Honan, Fran Tracy, Theresa Welsh, Rebekah Meyer, Emily Dwyer, and Kip Horahan. And a special thanks to Julia Kilcoyne who's volunteering was sponsored by her company, Pearson, whodonated $50 to CRI as part of its "Dollars for Doers" program for volunteering.
On Saturday we hosted 16 new rowers from an international group from Cognex Corporation. The late afternoon weather on Saturday was perfect for this group to get out on the water lead by Head Choach Ariel Handler and coaches Mary Foster and Drew Tennant. Coach Drew's team looked great and well timed by the time the crews turned upstream near the Watertown line. However, Mary's crew prevailed in a classic battle of power vs. Technique. The crews were excited at the opportunity to get out on the water together on such a great day. Our volunteers were so helpful to stick around on a Saturday afternoon to help us with equipment, coxing and rowing, thanks to Richard Armster, Allison Sokoloff, Katherine Doran, Emily Dwyer and Olanne Healy for being there for us and making the folks at Cognex feel important.
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| Upper Charles Waterway
Help the Local Community & the CRWA
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As part of our move on to the Upper Charles waterway, we want to work with the local community and help and support where we can. The 5000m of new waterway is going to be hugely beneficial to us and also the many, many people that will experience this amazing stretch of water.
With that in mind, we are working with the Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) to help promote their 10th season for water chestnut removal on the Upper Charles River. We are asking if there are any people that would like to offer their help. -
The two current methods for water chestnut removal are hand-pulling and mechanical harvesting.
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Water chestnuts are an invasive species native to Eurasia that was brought to the US in the 19th century. Water chestnuts are problematic because they grow in thick mats, blocking sunlight from reaching the water and absorbing dissolved oxygen. Water chestnuts out compete native vegetation and use up the oxygen for other aquatic life, such as fish. Moreover, when water chestnut growth becomes too thick, the river becomes unnavigable.
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Water chestnuts generally starting growing in late June and drop their seeds into the river in August. The hand-pulling season, therefore, occurs between early June to mid-August.
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For CRWA's Canoeing for Clean Water program, CRWA staff lead groups of 30 volunteers in kayaks onto the river to hand-pull water chestnuts. The events last 2-3 hours and generally occur in the morning to avoid extreme heat and severe weather events. CRWA and Boating in Boston provide all necessary equipment and training.
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On average, CRWA leads 25 events and 500+ volunteers per season. In 2015, 40 tons or 80,000 pounds of water chestnuts were removed from the Charles.
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Volunteers meet at the Newton Historic Boathouse at 2401 Commonwealth Avenue in Newton. Parking is available across the street at the end of Norumbega Road.
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Sign up for a public event through CRWA's website www.crwa.org
Below are the list of dates for public events: o Saturday, June 11th from 9 a.m to 12 p.m. o Saturday, June 25th from 9 a.m to 12 p.m. o Saturday, July 9th from 9 a.m to 12 p.m. o Tuesday, July 12th from 5 p.m. to 7:30. o Sunday, July 24th from 9 a.m to 12 p.m. o Saturday, August 6th from 9 a.m to 12 p.m.
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| Sculling Pavilion Clean Up Day
Saturday, May 21
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Scullers, a quick reminder. Saturday, May 21 from 8 to 11AM is a great opportunity to collect some volunteer hours!! We will have our Spring Clean-up Day for the Sculling Pavilion. Dave Snowdon will provide us the tools and we'll provide the labor. And, of course, we'll have some refreshments and appropriate carbs to sustain our energy. Let's make the Sculling Pavilion sparkle -- hope to see you all there!
Your Co-Captains,
Laura and Marion
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| Outreach Programs
Volunteers Opportunities
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If you are interested in volunteering our outreach programming, we would love to hear from you.
Please see the link to our Outreach Volunteer form HERE, and let us know how you would like to help.
Thank you in advance for your support.
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| Youth Summer Ideas
Entrepreneurship & Innovation
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Supplement your high schooler's summer rowing plans with a program in entrepreneurship and innovation! Are you curious about how startups develop creative, innovative solutions? Join epiic solutions this summer for an unforgettable experience developing the entrepreneurial mindset, learning startup skills and strategies, and networking with Boston's coolest innovators. epiic experiences are one-week programs hosted in downtown startup hubs that are perfect for creative, motivated, and curious high schoolers. Be inspired by each week's unique theme that drives the hands-on workshops, field trips and guest speakers. One-week programs run July through mid-August and applications are open! Learn more @www.epiicsolutions.org or email Blake, blake@epiicsolutions.org
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| CPR Training
Upcoming Dates
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Thursday, June 16th: 3pm - 6pm
Thursday, July 7th: 6pm-9pm
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| Parking at CRI
Busy Time Parking Alternatives
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The weather has gotten nice, and people are doing lots of rowing which is fantastic. All that rowing
is bringing lots of folks to the boathouse, and at certain times, the parking lot is over crowded.
Some important notes:
NO PARKING IN THE FIRE LANE - Cars may be towed
It is illegal to park in the fire lane. Cars that are parked in the fire lane are at risk of being towed by
the state.
PARKING ALTERNATIVES -
- North Beacon street: on street parking is available along North Beacon, with a short walk back over the bridge
- The old DCR public swimming pool parking lot at the North Beacon rotary.
- The hockey rink
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