An Amazing Day in May at the Gold Rush Regatta

What an amazing day it was at the Gold Rush Regatta at Lake Natoma on May 10th! At the forefront were two Delta Sculling Center athletes, R. and Valdez, who finally rowed in their first regatta. The drama began at the dock they were about to launch from when it was announced that their race might be cancelled because of the 16-17 mile-an-hour winds and even stronger gusts that whipped up the water. Many elite single rowers were giving accounts of how challenging it was to row on the choppy lake and threatening to “scratch” in their own events. After those agonizing moments of uncertainty, Coach Pat Tirone in consultation with launch driver Toby Johnson and Regatta Organizer DeDe Birch decided to give it a try, fully understanding that they may have to abort the event if the winds proved too difficult. The race was on and adaptive scullers R. and Valdez rowed strongly down their lanes. The cheers from those on the shore were an indication of how historic an event this was at the annual Gold Rush Regatta, perhaps the first time adaptive single scullers raced in California’s Central Valley.

While R. and Valdez were at the forefront, those behind the scenes insured that the event could take place. Duke, his wife Denise and Bob L. were incredible at helping to get the boats and all the equipment loaded at the boathouse in Stockton the evening before the regatta, going over Coach Pat’s detailed list of items needed for the race. Pat and husband Bob arrived for the coaches’ meeting at 7 a.m. and to ready boats and oars for the scullers. A couple of hours later Duke, Denise, and Bob L. arrived at the lake and unloaded more equipment. After R. and Valdez and friends and family members arrived, volunteers Andre, Jeanine, Angela, Anne and Theresa showed up to lend their hands to launch the scullers. Bob L. and Andre, who had both rowed in sweep boats in prior regattas, sculled for the first time in a regatta that windy day, providing solid pacing and competition for Richard and Valdez.

Not to be forgotten was the incredible support of regatta organizer DeDe Birch, starter Eric Weir, the regatta launch drivers (including Toby Johnson), and the Sac State Aquatic Center under Brian Dulgar’s direction. They not only allowed adaptive scullers to participate in this year’s Gold Rush but also provided two single sculls and oars for Bob L. and Andre to race alongside Valdez and Richard, respectively.

Finally, Carol Coddington & Linda Acton, volunteer assistant coaches and Coach Steve Mayo provided many months of dedicated commitment to help ready R. and Valdez for this first regatta.  Always at practice without fail, always providing encouragement, support and challenge, these folks traveled the long road with our athletes to their first regatta.  Never has the saying about “It takes a village…” been more appropriate than on that windy day in May!