Camera Spotter of the Week

The row2k cameras might be a bit too easy to pick out---and mug for--on the start platform (prime example above from TBC Racing), but kudos to this guy for spotting us mid-stroke:

Start Line Laughs

For all the nerves we can see at the start, it is nice to catch kids remembering that rowing is fun, too.

This whole St. Joe's Prep boat was cracking up, if you want to click through the sequence starting here.

Got Debris?

Either this is a new coxing technique, of the "speak softy, carry a big stick" variety...

Or this coxswain smartly saved her crew from any debris-related issues out at Lake Dexter.

Not every crew or regatta was as lucky this past week: Ohio State's home regatta had to cancel after just one race Saturday for debris, when the Indiana 1V ran into trouble in their race against SMU. Definitely not a headline you ever want to see: Course Conditions Prematurely End Rowing’s Weekend.

Fan-Dogging

Spotting a lot dogs doing their part by wearing team colors these days:

Though our Blue Hen superfan here might get a run for his cuteness money from this pair of Miami fan dogs down in Sarasota last week.

Next Level Graphics

Team graphics (and branding) going next level these days, from Brown's unis:

To Oregon State's bow deck:

(and yes, the stern does feature a giant beaver eye...wink, wink.)

That Being Watched Feeling

Lake Carnegie's most intent, and intense, spectator was keeping an eye on things this week.

Getting eagle-eyed by this guy, no question.

As was Mercer's bald eagle up on the power tower, and we caught another at Dexter Lake from about 1250 meters away (look closely: center of pic, two-thirds of the way up, in the trees).

Repair...or Mascot?

Or maybe a bit of both:

Other Duties As Assigned

This stakeboater wound up holding way more than just the stern after this start line flip.

Maybe that should qualify him for some hazard pay.

Which Is The More Relatable Start Line Pic?

This one:

Or maybe:

This is Getting to be a Weekly Thing

Second Recap in a row with the old "thumbs up"...

"thumbs down" combo:

You can decide whether last week's photo did it better out in San Diego.

Port Side Life

Is pretty good...when it's down to starboard.

Full Boatloads

Lotta chock-full launches out there on Race Day...

Especially when the whole stakeboat crew needs a ride home.

Yep, no room in that launch for the row2k guy left stranded at the start.

The Moment You Realize...

You might not be following the traffic pattern:

We hardly ever see crews on that side of the Mercer start dock, that's for sure, but they got it sorted out and went off in their race just fine.

Boat Snacks are Back

Gotta stay fueled up:

Pro tip for in-boat eats? Waterproof wrappers!

(Fist) Bump and Boom

Pre-race fist bumps: getting elaborate these days, whew...

So, pays to lock on early these days, so your crew has time for the whole shebang before the start.

You can flip through our top picks of last week's start line shenanigans in our Instagram posts from the Mercer Invite and the Steve Neczypor Regatta.

Can't wait to see what folks throw our way this week. We'll be watching...and you can catch all the highlights in next week's Recap.