row2k asked readers who were planning to do First Night (or First Morning, or close enough for posting) rows to send photographic evidence of their feats; see the results below. Thanks tremendously to these folks for sharing their photos and stories, and here's to a great 2006 for all!

Click on the thumbnails for full-size versions of each photo.

01BrigantineRC1-01	02BrigantineRC2-01	03BrigantineRC3-01
Photos 1-3, Brigantine Rowing Club, from Carol Sost: "Every New Years Day at 7:00 a.m., the Brigantine Rowing Club "Hotflashes" women's masters crew shakes the cobwebs from the night before, chips the ice off the dock, and heads out onto the water with a bottle of "bubbly" and Lenox champagne glasses to toast a New Year of rowing and friendship. Included in this year's crew are Kay Papandrew,(bow), Debbie Sykes, Carol Sost and stroke, Roe Burke."
04GrandRapidsMI-01	05KaplanBHRow	06UndineQuad
Photo 4: Grand Rapids RC, from Mike Stemo: "From the Grand Rapids Rowing Association, Mike Stemo & Dave Kuilema, preparing to launch Daves 1x on the Grand River. Taking the picture is Rick Anderson, who was also part of this unusual New Years Day row in Michigan. The greatest challenge....launching and returning." Photos 5-6, Undine BC Midnight Row, from Greg Kaplan: shots of Greg with Boathouse Row lights, and the Undine quad of Smith/Decidue/Hogan/Hogan.
07NewHavenRC-01	08NewYearsInside...	09MerryChristmasAnna
Photo 7, from Barbara Gardner, Maritime Rowing Club: "Rowers from the New Haven Rowing Club hosted Maritime Rowing Club and Norwalk River Rowing Association for their 12th annual New Year's Day Row. 44 folks were on the water from the three clubs." Photo 8, from John Bancheri, GVSU Rowing Club: "Mike Thompson and I had a blast coming up with the 'New Years Eve Inside Hand Only Exhale Drill'" Photo 9, from Anna Mickelson: "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and Row2k! Attached is my Christmas card from this year; please note the ice in Seattle! It is now time to head to San Diego!"