Clemson Regatta

As part of the rowing team, Katya and Alex participate in four or five regattas per season. Only one of them is an hour and a half away in Highpoint, NC--the other ones require an overnight trip. With this one, Clemson Regatta at Lake Hartwell, South Carolina, we had to time everything just perfectly because it was scheduled for the first Saturday of the kids' spring break. We had started our spring break trip by driving to Atlanta (that's another post) and then to Clemson, just two hours from Atlanta. It was the first experience of watching a regatta for my mom which was quite fun:) 

In the spring, it's a sprint, so all boats in each category go out at one and whoever gets to the finish line fastest wins (unlike the timed version where they have stacked start times). It's a 2,000 meter course. 

Katya got to cox Men's 4+ and Women's 8+ boats. As you can see on the picture, at least by looking at Katya not the boys in their unisuits:)), it was a very-very frigid start for the race at 8 am, although sunny. Plus coxswains and coaches always have to meet at like 7 am, before anyone else is there.

And this is a bit later in the day. You can see Women's 8+ getting ready for the race. Katya is the one in the front. You can maybe see Alex there too with his yellow hat backwards.

Regattas are the longest event in Mark's life. Ever! haha He has to wait and wait and wait. At least this one was in a beautiful location with a very close access to the beach where he could play with some kids he just met:) And drink soda.

It got much warmer during the day. Alex's team raced later in the morning and they did very well. Pretty much every time the middle schoolers don't tip the boat we consider it a successful race.

Playing in the sand all day long. 

Our tent of food:) A successful regatta wouldn't be possible without all the parent volunteers. Besides signing up for food to bring, my responsibility throughout the season is to be in charge of finding hotels near the venues and blocking some rooms for the team at a group rate. I do enjoy that:) 

We try to make regattas a family event as much as we can...for now. And it's fun to visit the surrounding areas too.

That's all for now!

Lyana.