Rutgers Alumni Crew is co-hosting the US Rowing Masters National Championship Regatta from August 13-16. This event will bring in rowers from across the country (I believe there's close to 40 states represented) as well as Mexico. It is truly a four-day feast of first-rate racing, and we can use some help --- both with volunteering and with spreading the word about volunteering.

We are in need of volunteers in two main areas: Launch boat drivers and stake boat holders.

LAUNCH BOAT DRIVERS will be responsible for driving the boats that the officials are in. There isn't much driving involved -- the officials will be at stationary points throughout the race course. While boating experience is preferred and you certainly should be comfortable driving a boat, you do not have to have a boating license or any other sort of certification to volunteer for this position. The boats are "wakeless," wide, and flat, and have been compared to "driving a car on the water." The shifts are 4 hours, and we need people every day -- Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, in both the morning and afternoon shifts. You can volunteer for as few or as many shifts as you like, on one day or on several days.

STAKE BOAT HOLDERS are placed on what we call the "stakes." These are floating platforms (anchored) in each lane at the starting line. A stake boat holder, literally, lays down on the platform and holds the stern (front) of the boat until the race begins. It doesn't take strength, but it does take stamina --- there's no protection from the sun and the potential to get stiff and achy is there. High school and college students seem to do best in this position and seem to enjoy it the most -- if you know of anyone who might be interested, please pass this information on. These are 2-3 hour shifts and we need a few more folks every day, especially in the morning (7am-10am) on Thursday and Friday. Again, volunteers can work as few or as many shifts as they'd like.

All volunteers are provided with breakfast and/or lunch (depending on your shift), and a t-shirt.

You do not need to have rowing experience and you do not need to be a Rutgers Alumni to volunteer.

If you would like to volunteer, please email RUACregattaVolunteers@gmail.com That email address is manned by one of my teammates who is doing all the master coordinating. You can let him know that you got this information from me. If you have any questions, you can ask me, or use that email address.

If you were ever interested in crew, wondered what'd it be like to be part of a race event, or just enjoy spending the day on the river, I hope you'll consider volunteering. Regardless, please feel free to pass this information on to anyone you think might be interested. And, if you don't want to volunteer, I hope you'll come out for some of the races. I worked this event last year and it's just a neat event to be a part of and to watch.

Thanks,
Dina

P.S. There is also an all you can eat pasta dinner Thursday August 12 from 6-8:30 (come whenever you want -- dinner will be served throughout the evening). Cost is $20; mention your interest in this in your email to RUACregattaVolunteers@gmail.com.