GRS spent yesterday with the Masters' squad at Head of the American at the beautiful Lake Natoma. We raced in the 2x and 4x categories with some incredible performances!

Above, Maya and Kaitlin launching in the 2x. We had to walk up to our quads to put the boats in the water - something most of the girls hadn't done before! Everyone took the beach launch in stride... not to mention the cool water felt nice on such a warm Autumn day!
Below, Hannah, Khushi, Elise, and Brooke heading off for their race in the 4x. 

 Everyone's race went well! The double, below, dropped 92s from their race at the Head of the Port, despite some wild race conditions - the U17 men's Eights started their race right after the junior 2xs. Because there are 8 people rowing in those larger boats, they generally move much faster than a boat moved by just 2 people. The U17 men's 8s started passing Maya and Kaitlin before they were half way through their race, and in the picture below we can see them approaching the finish line caged in between two of the 8s. (The girls are in the dark double to the left of the green and white eights; the finish line is to the right) The double held their point and stayed in a straight line for the ~200m that they were being flanked - that's some impressive focus!

Our quad also had a great race. Since their first race EVER at the Head of the Port, they reported that they felt much calmer and more consistent during this race. They dropped 12s from the previous race, and kept their focus on each other instead of on all of the other racers. Catch the end of their race below! 

Our team went to our first official regatta this Sunday, Head of the Port in Sacramento. We entered in the Women's Junior 2x and the Women's Junior Novice 4x. Both boats raced hard and had a blast!!

The Double raced at 10:50 with two of our seniors, Maya Weldon-Lagrimas and Kaitlin Schroeder. (Maya in Stroke, Kaitlin in Bow). The girls battled high winds, white caps, and an unpredictable course to come in second place in their first time racing together!

We are so proud of our team! This weekend, the girls had to truly trust each other. Rowing in a regatta is a pure test of integrity and commitment; without these things, the racers cannot find their limits. The girls have been practicing hard to build the strength of their relationship, and it paid off on the race course.