All AJRA alumni are invited to the boathouse on Fri., Nov. 26 at 1 pm for the annual Alumni Row.  It’s a great opportunity to work off some of that Thanksgiving dinner while getting out on the Chattahoochee again.  Best of all, you’ll have a chance to reconnect with AJRA friends and coaches.  We’re looking for a strong turnout so spread the word and prove you’ve still got what it takes to row for AJRA!

On a beautiful fall day on our home stretch of the Chattahoochee, AJRA rowers successfully defended the coveted Coaches Cup as overall team winner of the Henley on the Hooch regatta Nov. 13 — giving the club bragging rights against friendly rivals St. Andrew Rowing Club for the 7th consecutive year.  The event featured 11 Novice and Varsity races along with exhibition racing by AJRA’s Developmental squad.  In tightly contested events, AJRA won 9 races — besting St. Andrew in all categories except 1st and 2nd Varsity Men’s 8+ boats.   The regatta was  started in 1996 and gets its name from the famed British Henley Regatta, which is the longest running sporting event in the world.  The event showcases the competitive field of athletes and the growing popularity of youth rowing in the city of Atlanta while providing spectators an opportunity to see firsthand the intensity and excitement of rowing competition.  Congratulations, AJRA! Henley on the Hooch Results Here.

On an unseasonably cold day in Chattanooga, AJRA rowers were among the more than 1,500 crews Nov. 6 taking part in the Head of the Hooch’s 30th anniversary.  The event, which has grown to be the second largest regatta in the country, fielded tough competition in each race with the largest number of entries ever.  AJRA Varsity Women turned in a strong performance by earning bronze in the 8+ boat and silver in the 4+.  Unfortunately, they were the only squad to medal.  Varsity Men captured 21st in the 8+ and 12th in the 4+.  Novice Women placed 7th in the 8+ and 18th in the 4+.  Novice Men finished 8th in the 8+ and 18th in the 4+.  AJRA was also represented in the Men’s Club 8+ event with an alumni boat that included Strength and Conditioning Coach Ty Tucker as well as Betsy Bender (coxswain), Rob Busch, Zack Benson, Rem Morris, Nick Nolan, Ryan Kilpatrick, Shawn Connell, and Stosh Cohen.  The Alumni 8 placed 10th of 15th competitors. For complete results, go to Head of the Hooch.

AJRA rowers:  Be ready to defend the coveted Coaches Cup as the overall team winner of the Henley on the Hooch, set this year for Sat., Nov. 13.   The annual race will see us go head-to-head with St. Andrew for bragging rights.  AJRA has won the Coaches Cup for the past six consecutive years.   The race was started in 1996 and gets its name from the famed British Henley Regatta — the longest running sporting event in the world.  It’s a great opportunity for friends and family to see rowing firsthand right on our home stretch of the Chattahoochee.  Food will be available for rowers and families.  Races are scheduled from approximately 8:45 a.m. to 12:15, followed by the trophy presentation.  Exhibitions by the AJRA Developmental Squad will be held at 8:15 a.m. and at intervals throughout the event.  Here is the final race schedule but note that all rowers are expected to be present for the entire event. Henley on the Hooch 2010 schedule Go AJRA!

Story and photo submitted by Robie DuChateau, AJRA VM and student reporter — It was a long, foggy morning in Oak Ridge, TN, this past Sat., Oct. 30 for the annual Secret City Regatta.  After a 2 1/2 hour delay, the sun came out and the regatta got under way.  AJRA sent out 8s and 4s for all four squads and medaled in 11 events.  Varsity Women earned 1st in the 4+ event as well as the 8+ event, where they made AJRA history by sending out four separate boats.  Varsity Men’s 8+ beat out rival St. Andrew’s by six seconds for 2nd place behind only McCallie’s 8.  Varsity Men also claimed 1st and 3rd in the 4+ event with the B boat passing the A boat during the race.  The Varsity Men saw the Lightweight 4+ grab 2nd place and 8+ earn 1st, resulting in almost every member of the squad medaling at the regatta.  Novice Women earned 3rd in the 4+ event and 6th in the 8+.  Novice Men saw success by clenching 1st and 3rd in the 4+ and 2nd in the 8+ events.  Overall, AJRA had a successful regatta and a lot of heavy medals on the bus ride back home.  

AJRA rowers came home from Oak Ridge, TN, late Sat., Oct. 30, having captured 11 medals — 5 gold, 3 silver, and 3 bronze — at a fog-delayed Secret City Regatta.  The Varsity Women’s 8+ and 4+ placed first in their events in a convincing fashion ahead of tough competitors Atomic Rowing and St. Andrews.  Novice Women earned 6th in the 8+ event and 3rd in the 4+ event.  Varsity Men’s 8+ finished a strong 2nd behind McCallie Preparatory School and ahead of St. Andrews.  The 4+ event saw Varsity Men capture both 1st place (B boat) and 3rd place (A boat).  Varsity Men’s Lightweight 4+ earned 2nd place and the 8+ placed 1st.   Novice Men’s 4+ finished 1st (A boat) and 3rd (B boat) with the 8+ earning 2nd place.  Complete results are available at www.orra.org.  Congratulations on a great regatta!

This is it!  Our most competitive regatta of the Fall Season is this weekend, November 6^th in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  2010  marks the 30^th anniversary of the Head of the Hooch, which has become the largest regatta in the Southeast.  We hope to see plenty of parents and families at the beautiful Chattanooga Riverfront venue.   Please look for the AJRA tents and come cheer on our athletes.  There will be over 140 teams competing at all levels.  We are looking forward to watching some great rowing!
 
Learn about the Head of the Hooch Regatta and get a lay of the land in Chattanooga on this Head of the Hooch Informational Video and through the race website.  The travel info is available in our members only section.