Two VCB crews in Whitehall Gig Bird and Cornish Pilot Gig King Tide braved the flood tide and the Coast Guard Auxillary to observe the parade of tall ships and warships in Opsail, one part of the celebration of Fleet Week. There were 17 tall ships and 10 military ships in the parade. The ships came to New York Harbor to commemorate the the bicentennial of the War of 1812.

Two VCB crews, including one from Stuy Rowing participated in this synchronized rowing/paddling extravaganza. The costumes were created by artist/dancer Alice Farley, who also choreographed the dance on Saturday, 5/12 as part of the festivities of Hudson River Pageant.

A group of VCB volunteers joined forces with students from Benjamin Banneker Academy on Sunday to begin planking the Stretch Chamberlain Gunning Dory. The Gunning Dory is based on plans by the late John Gardner but stretched from 18 to 25 feet in order to accommodate four rowers. The dory is very light (less than 250 pounds?), very fast, and very easy to get in and out of the water. Also very traditional, in that its basic shape harks back to the ‘bateaux’ of the French and Indian wars.

Rocking the Boat sent a group of 42 Staff, Program Assistants, and enthusiastic rowers from the South Bronx to VCB on Wednesday for a spring row on the Hudson. The conditions were a little rough with a strong flood tide, wind gusts out of the NW at 16 mph and the weatherman calling for rain. Despite the caveats, we piled into 5 Whitehall Gigs and the Cornish Pilot Gig, King Tide and headed south to Stuyvesant Cove. The fleet was looking fine, showing off their recent makeovers and a good time was had by all.
Thanks to all who helped out- Tony Rentschler and Henry Yee generously volunteered their services as boat launchers and linemen. David Shehigian, Dave Clayton & Sally Curtis served as backup to the RTB coxswains.