As history repeats itself. HOCR Executive Director Fred Schoch announced yesterday the addition of a new 6-Oar Racing Shell Exhibition Event.
For nearly 10 years HOCR has sought to 'level the playing field' between large well funded University and Club programs and the less populated high school and small college (fewer than 3000 undergraduates) programs. In efforts to match boat size events to program size, HOCR is introducing an exhibition event in 2008 utilizing the once very popular (and now nearly obscure) 6 Oared racing shell event. Popular in US college rowing throughtout the 1870's - 1890's and still the mainstay hull today at the Royal St. John Rowing Club (NB), the hull design has - until today - languished in the backwash of the more popular 4 and 8 man shell with coxswain.
If the 2008 Exhibition trial is successful (Hudson Rowing Shells is providing all of the demonstration boats (24) at no charge for the event), HOCR is proposing the 2009 Regatta to 'Right Size' the races such that programs of more modest means will have the opportunity to row in the HOCR without breaking their budget.
Rowing Coach Tom Tiffany noted that the re-introduction of the 6-oared shell gives rowing programs more flexibility for training and staying on the water longer than with the current restriction of 4 or 8 rowers. HOCR Chief of Racing Logistics, Charles Attager noted that the time alloted for racing the 6-oared (Mens and Women's events) will be accomodated by reducing the limit on Club 8's from 80 competitors to 7.