by Recreational Adaptive and Competitive Para-Rowing Coach Carol Quijada
The BAYADA Regatta was definitely an exciting experience! I was so happy that many of our rowers had the opportunity to compete and we increased our competitors from three last year to five this year; we only anticipate that we’ll continue to grow! The BAYADA Regatta began with the Jolly-up cocktail party and celebration for all crew, volunteers, and participants the night before the big day. Our team shared a lovely meal and carbo loaded as we talked strategy and mingled with other athletes and coaches. We prepped with a good sleep before Saturday’s events!
Margaret Rajnic and Daniel Zwick started the day with the LTA (Leg, Trunk, Arms) Mixed 2x. It was Daniel’s first race after joining us just this spring! They finished with a respectable third, just :30 seconds after the first place finishers.
In our second race for the day, we had two of our TA (Trunk, Arms) competitors racing against each other! One year later, Maria Bournias returned to the TA 1x event and shaved off 40 seconds from last year’s race. This event was also Jessica de la Rosa’s first time racing at the BAYADA Regatta; she finished after Maria in fourth place!
RNYers thankfully had a big break between racing; it was a great opportunity to refuel, relax, and strategize for the second wave of racing.
All refreshed, Maria and Jessica joined forces (after their previous battle) in the TA Women 2x event and came in second place!
The last event of the day was the composite LTA 4+. This event was exciting for our team as they raced in a borrowed boat, stroked by Halifax Rowing Association rower, Ann Medlar, and coxed by our own Soo Lee.
In a turn of events, we had to include abled-bodied rower and Competitive Para Coach, Charlotte, who sat in bow to aid Soo. Despite some equipment issues through the race, the composite group safely (and proudly!) got through the finish line. All of our RNYers rowed in borrowed boats (per the BAYADA organizers) and were so incredibly grateful to the BAYADA crew in making this possible for us.
Emotions were definitely high as the regatta came to an end, but we said our goodbyes to the Schuylkill River until another time. I’m very proud of all the efforts our team put into their strokes and we definitely look forward to next year!
