Friday, September 9, 2016

Fw: (CRAB) PLEASE JOIN US FOR A CRAB ICE CREAM SOCIAL!




On Friday, September 9, 2016 12:23 PM, CRAB via CRAB <CRAB@groupspaces.com> wrote:


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CRAB


PLEASE JOIN US FOR A CRAB ICE CREAM SOCIAL!!

That is an ice cream social organized by CRAB, the Charles River Alliance of Boaters
Not crab flavored ice cream
That would be gross

Sunday, September 18, 2016
4:00PM
Community Boating 

between the Hatch Shell and Longfellow Bridge, on the Esplanade

By T, use Charles Station on the Red Line, Arlington Station on the Green Line.
By car, use meters on Charles or Beacon, or the Common underground garage
By power boat, VHF 72 BEFORE
 YOU LEAVE YOUR DOCK for landing instructions
By canoe, kayak or rowing shell, land at the Hatch Shell end of the dock.
Preview the CRAB/MIT Sea Grant College Program project to chart the depth and hardness of the bottom of the Charles River!  The ice cream social is free, but a donation to help support this environmental and boating safety-important project is greatly appreciated.  Do your part at https://igg . me/at/CRAB-chart
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Friday, September 2, 2016

traffic pattern Alert, Anderson bridge, for tuesday

see below


On Fri, Sep 2, 2016 at 7:45 AM, Connelly, Roderick (DOT) wrote:

Good morning All,

On Tuesday the 6th the contractor at the Anderson Bridge will be reopening the center barrel an closing the Cambridge side barrel of the bridge.

Thanks,

Roderick M. Connelly III
Resident Engineer Anderson Memorial Bridge
Mass DOT District 6 Construction

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Fw: (CRAB) What is happening on the Charles




On Wednesday, August 24, 2016 2:47 PM, CRAB via CRAB <CRAB@groupspaces.com> wrote:


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CRAB

Friday, August 26, 2016
5:30-8:30PM, Friday Nite Informal Racing at Community Boating,
between Longfellow and Mass Ave Bridges.  All abilities welcome, all non-combatants should steer clear.

Saturday, August 27,2016
10:30AM - 6:30PM  Red Bull Relay Stake Race.
 High intensity sprint race from Riverside Boat Club dockst to the Powerder Magazine at Magazine Beach, and back.  If you've never seen an eight round a stake, this is an event worth watching.  If you'd like to traverse the course, please wait for regatta officials to give you clearance.

Sunday, August 28, 2016
9:30AM to 2:30PM, Community Boating's Tiller Club's Formal Racing.
 Between Longfellow Bridge and Mass Ave.  Serious stuff.  Steer Clear.
 

Anderson Bridge traffic pattern change today

 Per the State's message to us earlier this week, the center arch of Anderson will be closing today, and the Boston arch reopens.  This makes it easy for smaller boats who most often use the right hand arches here anyway, but is a bit trickier for powerboats.  Everyone should continue to use caution around this bridge.
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Monday, August 22, 2016

Traffic Pattern Alert! Anderson Bridge

See the note from the State below.  This is an easy one for small boats - take the right hand arch.  Harder for powerboaters.  Keep your eyes open for them.

Check out the CRAB website at www.charlesriverallianceofboaters.org

On Monday, August 22, 2016 3:23 PM, "Connelly, Roderick (DOT)"  wrote:


Good afternoon all,
The contractor at the Anderson Bridge will be re-opening the Boston side barrel and closing the center barrel on Wednesday the 24.
Thanks,
Roderick M. Connelly III
Resident Engineer Anderson Memorial Bridge
Mass DOT District 6 Construction


Thursday, August 18, 2016

Fw: (CRAB) What is happening on the Charles

On Thursday, August 18, 2016 2:06 PM, CRAB via CRAB <CRAB@groupspaces.com> wrote:




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CRAB

Another quiet week.

Friday, August 19, 2016
5:30 to 8:30pm, Friday nite informal racing at Community Boating
(between Longfellow and Mass Ave).  Sailors of all abilities participate.  Steer clear.

Saturday, August 20, 2016
11:00AM to 4:00PM - Redbull Flutag at the Hatch Shell.
 People build flying machines, and launch them over the water, landing in the water.  Those with the most airtime win.  First flight goes off around 12:30PM.  Spectators on boats are welcome but will be asked to keep back.  Bigger boats are also asked to be polite to smaller boats.

Sunday, August 21, 2016
9:30AM to 2:30PM, Community Boating's Tiller Club's Sunday Morning Formal Racing.
 Between Longfellow and Mass Ave Bridges.  Serious racing, steer clear.

HEADS UP
Saturday, August 27, 2016 - Redbull Stake Relay Race.  10:30AM to 6:30PM.  Short Sprint from Riverside Boat Club to buoys at Magazine Beach and back.
 

Head of the Charles is October 22 and 23

 Why am I telling you this?  Because there is an increasing amount of rowers cutting corners and acting like race rules apply.  There has been some really agregious corner cutting on the big turn especially, and there have been a few close calls with oncoming traffic.  It is dangerous, and you need to cut it out.  Also, I got a report of a relatively newer rower being yelled at for not yeilding the inside of the turn at Belmont Hill.  Folks, only on race day does the overtaking boat get to pick its course.  The other 363 days of the year, the overtaking boat should pass to the middle.  Rowing a safe course is a great way to stay healthy until race day, and also get used to not having your optimal point, which is really likely to happen on race day.  So, everyone take a breath and be nice to each other.
Are your blades painted?
Why am I asking you this?  Because this morning, I watched a sculler heading downstream nearly run into Watertown, near the HOCR finish line.  Then, said sculler nearly ran into Boston near the Canoe/Kayak dock.  Then, they rowed down river, in the middle (or wrong side of middle) for a good long time.  Combine that person with the over-zealous racers above and we have a problem.
I'd love to talk to this person and give them tips on steering (like look more than every 20 strokes and in general, if the shore isn't just off your blades, you're in the wrong spot. or better, find a sculling buddy and force yourself to row between them and shore without forcing them wide).   but they had unpainted blades.  Actually, there were more unpainted or mystery painted blades on the water this morning than blades painted to identify with local clubs.  This is a problem folks.  Please get your blades painted for the club from which you row, ASAP.  Paint dries quickly this time of year, it is a great time to get it done.  





 
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Tuesday, August 16, 2016

CRAB-MIT Sea Grant College Charting Project Update 8/15/2016

Since the last update, there has been a lot of activity.

Funding: We have received contributions from the Boston Duck Tours, the Head of the Charles Regatta, Newton Yacht Club, Riverside Boat Club, and a few generous individuals. Loads and loads of thanks to them all. This has allowed us to buy most of the equipment we need for the project. The MIT Sea Grant College Program has been a great partner in this effort, buying some equipment we could not afford and providing the funding for a summer intern. We still need more help with funding. Please consider making a contribution and send your checques to:
      Dave Amicangioli
      CRAB Treasurer
      25 C Street
      Belmont, MA 02478
Thanks in advance for your support!!!

Depth Measurements: The MIT Sea Grant Program has been actively making sonar depth measurements. They have made a handful of passes up and down the river between the BU Bridge and Newton YC, each at a slightly different position along the width of the river. Detailed measurements of the river near both Newton YC and Watertown YC have also been made. Nearly the entire area between the New Charles River Dam and the BU Bridge has been measured using both conventional and side-scan sonar. This includes all the sites that the Charles River Conservancy has recently identified as potential locations for a swimming facility.

Bottom Composition Measurements: While the time delay of the sonar pulse back to the sensor allows the depth to be characterized, the strength of that same signal is characteristic of the river bottom. Thusly, we are able to generate maps of both the depth and the hardness of the river bottom. We can clearly see areas that appear to be hard rock or clay and other areas where it is likely softer mud or even softer plant growth.

Characterization of the Variation in the Height of the Watersheet: As most users of the river know, there is some variation in the height of the watersheet over the course of the day. With an outgoing tide, water from the river is released into Boston Harbor through sluices at the New Charles River Dam, and as the tide comes back in, the sluices are shut and water begins to accumulate in the river. In order to accurately quantify the water depths, we need to also know what the height of the watersheet is when we make any depth measurement. In early July, stream gauges and data loggers of the water depth were installed at Riverside Boat Club, Herter Park, and Community Rowing. We are also able to use data from the USGS gauge at First Street below the Longfellow Bridge. It appears that the water level in the section of the river between Watertown and the New Charles River Dam has been changing nearly uniformly this summer. That is, this section of the river appears to be behaving as a lake, rising and falling in near unison. This is probably due to the lack of rainfall that we have experienced this year. We are adjusting the measured depths to account for the variation in the height of the water sheet using the data from the stream gauge at Riverside Boat Club.

Deliverable Outputs: In designing this project, we have focused on what we would be able to provide to users of the river.

  • Chart Booklet: A printable PDF file that includes an overview of the river from Watertown to Boston Harbor, and more detailed charts of 13 abutting or overlapping sections of the river. Separate booklets for water depth and river bottom hardness would be available.
  • Google Map and Google Earth: We have developed on-line versions of our data using both Google Maps and Google Earth that allow us to use all the tools of Google Map and Google Earth to digitally visualize the data.
  • Trifold Overview: Similar to the trifold map developed by the Charles River Conservancy showing the parkland surrounding the river, this trifold would include an overview of the river showing the depth and the hardness of the river bottom.
  • Electronic Versions for Navigation Instruments: Due to the lack of a common standard file format and the complexity and difficulty of generating multiple file formats, we have decided to delay this until we can get other things done first.

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Fw: (CRAB) what is (not) happening on the Charles

On Thursday, August 11, 2016 1:44 PM, CRAB via CRAB <CRAB@groupspaces.com> wrote:




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CRAB

Another quiet week for organized events, though Community Boating's Friday Night Informal racing (5:30 to 8:30PM and their Tiller Club's Sunday Morning Formal Racing (9:30am to 2:30pm) continues. Other than that, we're pretty chill.  Unlike the weather.
Stay cool people.


 
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Monday, August 8, 2016

Fw: The Charles River clean Up Boat

All,

The River needs your help.  See the Charles River Clean Up Boat's note below and consider making a donation or scheduling time to give them a hand.  The link to their website is in the message below. 
 
 
 
Check out the CRAB website at www.charlesriverallianceofboaters.org


On Monday, August 8, 2016 12:46 PM, Michael Bello <mikejbello@gmail.com> wrote:


As you may know, the Charles River Clean Up Boat (cleanupboat.org ) is  a 501c3 non-profit organization that has been operating since 2004 and has been responsible for helping to make the Charles River one of the cleanest urban rivers in the country.
 
Our boat, which is completely operated with volunteer help, cruises up and down a 7+ mile stretch 4 days a week from April to October.  We pick-up floating debris which over the years has amounted to tons of trash. The clean up boat operates entirely on donations to maintain the boat and its motor and to pay for the gasoline required to run. Its is staffed by volunteers on a daily basis.  No one receives a salary.
 
Throughout the years, organizations that use the river or that benefit from its beauty have been our generous contributors.  Many of the boat clubs, the private rowing houses, the duck boats and the cruise lines have generously given to the mission.  Additionally, we have received assistance from some universities and companies that are housed on or near the River.

While many River uses have contributed to the work, still others have never given or have become lapsed donors.  We would appreciate it if you could publish this email and connection to our website (cleanupboat.org in your news blog.  As we approach the end of summer , we still have along way to go before we meet our annual budget goal.  Thanks for your help.
 

Sincerely,
Michael J. Bello
Clean Up Boat Volunteer


Thursday, August 4, 2016

Fw: (CRAB) ANderson Bridge Traffic Pattern Change ALERT!!!

 
 
 
 
Check out the CRAB website at www.charlesriverallianceofboaters.org


On Thursday, August 4, 2016 11:25 AM, kate sullivan via CRAB <CRAB@groupspaces.com> wrote:


See the note from the State below notifying us that the center arch of Anderson will open and the Boston Arch will close on Monday.

This necessitates a traffic pattern change to the rowing traffic pattern.   

Downstream bound boats will use the middle arch.  Please don't cut the corner before the bridge, and be sure to stay to Boston once you exit the bridge.

Upstream bound boats will use the Cambridge shore arch ONLY.  Please stick close to shore (while avoiding the huge barge sticking off the shore) to avoid folks overcorrecting to use the middle arch hearing down stream.
 
 Powerboaters will resume using the center arch in both directions.
 
 
Check out the CRAB website at www.charlesriverallianceofboaters.org


On Thursday, August 4, 2016 11:15 AM, "Connelly, Roderick (DOT)" <Roderick.Connelly@dot.state.ma.us> wrote:


Good morning all,
On Monday the 8th the contractor at the Anderson Bridge will be reopening the center barrel and closing the Boston side barrel.
Thanks,
Roderick M. Connelly III
Resident Engineer Anderson Memorial Bridge
Mass DOT District 6 Construction


www.CharlesRiverAllianceofBoater s.org


Fw: (CRAB) What is happening on the Charles




On Thursday, August 4, 2016 9:21 AM, CRAB via CRAB <CRAB@groupspaces.com> wrote:


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CRAB

Quiet times with many rowers off competing at Henley.  They'll be back soon enough, but in the meantime.....Community Boating's Friday Night informals (5:30 to 8:30PM) and their Tiller Club's Sunday morning formal racing (9:30AM to 2:30PM), are going on between the Longfellow and Mass Ave bridges.
If you need help identifying a saling race course, read the handy guide at www . CharlesRiverAllianceofBoater s . org, posted on the Rowing and Power Boater pages.  These are popular events and the guide will help you figure out what those wacky sailors are doing.
Also, the Memorial Row for Mohammed Jafri will take place this Sunday at 5:30AM.  Participants will gather near the BU Boathouse and proceed upstream.  Our condolences on your loss.

 
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Friday, July 29, 2016

What is happening on the Charles

Folks.  Before we get to the calendar, a few items.

For Rowers
The traffic pattern document was formalize, oh, maybe in 2002? and all of the organizations on the river were invited to help with the project.  The resulting document  is what all of the clubs agreed to abide by to provide a more safe boating environment for all. You may not agree with it, but your club did.  If you would like to propose a change, write it up and we'll all vote on it.  Otherwise, please row it as written.  A few specific notes:

Lights:  These are not optional.  Those launching at 5AM should already have them, and for everyone else, your time is coming.  Make sure your lights are operational now.  And by lights, we mean red/green bow light and white stern light.  This is consistent with Coast Guard regs. See the document langugate below.
       • Bow light should be red / green (port / starboard), and be attached to the bow marker clip or forward point of bow washbox well in front of the bowman. Flashing or strobe lights are NOT as visible as solid lights, and are not acceptable, except as a secondary source of illumination. 
       • Stern light should be white, and be mounted aft of stern washbox or mounted above stern of boat. 

Blades:  It is required that you paint your oars the colors of the club for which you row.  Document language reads:
All organizations shall paint blades in their designated pattern, and require that private equipment owners follow suit, to make a crew's affiliation known to others.

The Union Lane:  If you are heading downstream, you must be at least 2-eights-and-a-launch width from shore to ensure that you are not in the Union Lane.  The downstream arches of the Mass Ave bridge are 4 to the left and 4 to the right of the lighted platform.  It is like hitting the broadside of a barn.  If you are not in a correct arch, you aren't trying.  Please be attentive to this.

Conversely, boats using the Union lane should cross quickly and safely to the right side of the river just after the finish line of the 2k course.  Recently, I have witnessed scullers using this lane all the way up to the BU Boathouse.  Please spread the word that is too far.  Even the most concientious boaters will not expect you to be heading upstream that far up.  Please change your ways.  

One more note.  The traffic pattern notes "poor weather conditions" for the Union Lane.  But that is a highly subjective term.  Please expect people to use the Union Lane in all weather conditions.  I've included the document language below: 
Union Lane: The Union lane allows scullers launching from Union Boat Club to pass upstream through the lagoon, or along the Boston shore in poor weather conditions, to avoid crossing the basin. It also allows crews to proceed upstream when wind conditions do not permit normal use of the 2000m race course. The lane includes the 2nd through the 4th arches from the Boston shore (the shore arch is impassible), and runs from the lagoon at the Hatch Shell to just past the 2000m finish, where upstream crews and scullers shall cross quickly to the Cambridge shore. Crews and scullers in the lower basin must be alert for boats crossing out of this lane. Note that the lagoon, which is generally accessible only to single sculls, is a no pressure zone. Scullers must be constantly alert for scullers approaching in the opposite direction.  
 
MIT Lane:  Language below but basically, make sure that your stern point is OUTSIDE of the boathouse to ensure that you are not in the MIT lane.  MIT bound crews are also reminded to cross quickly and to be fully crossed and close to shore by the time you reach the finish line.  
MIT Lane: The MIT lane allows crews to launch and land from the MIT Boathouse without crossing the race course. The lane extends out from the Cambridge shore to the outer boundary of the MIT Boathouse, and crews passing upstream on the race course shall stay left. It extends from the MIT Boathouse to the footbridge over Storrow Drive, where MIT crews rejoin the regular traffic patterns. Crews and scullers in the lower basin should watch for MIT boats crossing in and out of this lane 
 
Calendar
The only immediate items on the Calendar are the Community Boating friday night informal races (5:30PM to 8:30PM), and their Tiller Club's sunday morning formal races (9:30AM to 2:30PM), held between Longfellow and Mass Ave.  Check out the cool document on the CRAB website to help figure out how to spot sailing races, and how to navigate near them.

On the Horizon:
Sunday, August 7, 2016
5:30AM - Mohammed Jafri Memorial Row.  Gathering at the HOCR start (BU Boathouse), an proceeding upstream.

Saturday, August 20, 2016
All Day - Red Bull Flutag at the Hatch Shell. Home made flying machines compete for most air time, landing in the river.

Saturday, August 27, 2016
10:30AM - 6:30PM Red Bull Relay Stake Race.  Riverside Boat Club to Mag Beach Powderhouse-ish area.  This rowing event is a very short sprint to a stake, rounding it, and back.  High intensity and definitely an event worth coming to see - eights do not round a stake gracefully.  Use magazine beach for best viewing.  All other boaters are asked to work with regatta officials to pass the course.

Fall Dates to mark on your calendar

September 11, Head of the Kevin I
September 17, CRI Fall Classic Regatta
September 24, Head of the Kevin II
October 2, Greater Boston Youth Rowing Head Race
October 15, Head of the Kevin III
October 16, Head of the Quinobequin youth singles regatta
October 22, 23, Head of the Charles Regatta
And if someone could send the Foot of the Charles dates, it would be appreciated.

When you lose this email, you can find all of this information and much more at 

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Fw: (CRAB) What is Happening on the Charles!

 On Wednesday, July 20, 2016 10:01 AM, CRAB via CRAB <CRAB@groupspaces.com> wrote:




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CRAB

Quiet week except for the Community Boating Friday nite informal racing (5:30pm to 8:30pm in the lower basin) and their Tiller Club's formal racing on Sunday morning (9:30AM to 2:30PM).  Both of these should be given ample room.
Per the note sent from DOT last week and shared with you all, the Cambridge Arch of Anderson Bridge should reopen today, and the center arch closes.  This is easy enough for small boat who should use the right hand arch.  But, this is less familiar territory for powerboats, and especially the larger powerboats.  Keep in mind that the visiting powerboats coming off the boat ramp may not be aware of the construction, and may not be sure how much depth there is in each arch.  Bottom line, use caution around this bridge and keep your eyes open for powerboats going against the grain.
The next event on the calendar is the Mohammed Jafri memorial row on August August 7.  Expect rowers to gather at the Head of the Charles start line at 5:30AM (that is the BU Boathouse below the BU Bridge) and to proceed upstream.







 

A few friendly and important reminders

 New oars?  Congrats!  Now paint them in the pattern of the boarclub from which you row.  Why?  Because the State Police say you must, and the traffic pattern secifies it too.  And your boat club agreed to abide by the traffic pattern.  This is the only way that we can identify you should there be a problem.  And if you read these CRAB notes with any regularity, you know that we often have to reach out and remind folks of the traffic pattern.  So, don't be that guy who is doing something wrong and doesn't know it.  Paint your blades. Clubs are asked to enforce this rule.
The powerhouse is bi-directional until Labor Day.  If you are using a center arch in the Powerhouse (which includes River and Western bridges only) please stay to the right because boats could be using the other half of that arch in the other direction.  You should only be using the Center arch if the right hand arches are full.
Is your sculling group or gaggle of sweep boats blocking the river?  You shouldn't.  If you are waiting to start a piece, then wait next to shore.  But if, for some reason, you are in the way, at least call out to approaching boats and help them navigate around you.  Courtesy is always the right way to go.







 
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Friday, July 15, 2016

Traffic Pattern Alert: Anderson Bridge Center arch closing Wednesday, Cambridge arch re-opening.

see below.

Check out the CRAB website at www.charlesriverallianceofboaters.org


On Friday, July 15, 2016 10:28 AM, "Connelly, Roderick (DOT)" <Roderick.Connelly@dot.state.ma.us> wrote:


Good morning All,
We will be reopening the Cambridge side barrel and closing the center barrel on Wednesday the 20th.
Thanks,
Roderick M. Connelly III
Resident Engineer Anderson Memorial Bridge
Mass DOT District 6 Construction


Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Fw: (CRAB) What is happening on the Charles

On Wednesday, July 13, 2016 4:24 PM, CRAB via CRAB <CRAB@groupspaces.com> wrote:




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CRAB

Friday, July 15, 2016.   
5:30PM - 8:30PM.  Community Boating's Friday Nite Informal Racing.  Course between Longfellow and Mass Ave Bridges.  Varying skill levels participate, so give'em a wide berth.

Saturday, July 16, 2016
8:30AM - Noon.  CBC Invitational Relay.
 This is a tricky one.  Course is set in loops of varying size, from Eliot Bridge to the BU Bridge.  A travel lane down the middle is maintained, however, power boaters are asked to stay sharp!  and work with any and all regatta officials on the course.  Racing boats can come up behind you quickly, and depending on the stage of the race, may need to turn and cross the river quickly in front of you.  So please keep your eyes open and listen to any race officials.  Contact Tracey at rateQs@yahoo.com if you have specific questions.

Sunday, July 17, 2016
9:30AM to 2:30PM.  Community Boating's Tiller Club's Formal Racing.
 Course between Longfellow and Mass Ave Bridges.  Serious racing her folks, so give'em a wide berth.

 
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Thursday, July 7, 2016

Fw: (CRAB) What is happening on the Charles

On Thursday, July 7, 2016 11:07 AM, CRAB via CRAB <CRAB@groupspaces.com> wrote:




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CRAB

Friday, Jul7 8, 2016
5:30PM to 8:30PM, Community Boating informal racing,
between Longfellow and Mass Ave bridges.  Sailors of varying skills participating.

Sunday, July 10
7AM to 7PM, Riverside Boat Club's Cromwell Cup Regatta
.  1000M sprint from Weeks footbridge to near the far end of the parking area past Riverside Boat Club.  Jam packed racing.  Other boaters should expect delays and work with race officials to traverse the course at no wake speed duing scheduled breaks.

9:30AM to 2:30PM, Community Boating's Tiller Club Formal Racing,
between Longfellow and Mass Abe bridges.  Serious stuff.

Tuesday, July 12, 2016
2PM to 6PM  City Splash! Swim the Charles
event at the Hatch Shell.  Steer clear.

Keep in mind that the CBC relay regatta is coming up on July 16th from 8:30AM to 12:30PM.  Questions about how to get by this looping relay?  Talk to Tracey at RateQs@yahoo.com
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