Cornell-on-the-Anacostia
Cornellians and their guests turned out in large numbers at the Anacostia Community Boathouse in Washington, D.C. to welcome the sunshine and enjoy a surprisingly clear Anacostia River on the day after Hurricane Hanna passed through town. Rowing and paddling plus strawberries and cream were on the menu.
Eighteen undergraduates from the fall semester in the Cornell in Washington program were among the fifty-three participating Cornellians and guests. Two students from the Class of 2010, John MacGregor and Reid Pauly are active members of the Cornell Crew and performed yeoman service as the stroke pair in an Eight made up of crew alums from every decade 1960s through 1990s. Some of them had not rowed in a shell since they graduated; all had a great time at this mini reunion row.
Dragon boating was another highlight of the day. Most everybody, including children of various ages, had a chance to go out in a Chinese Dragon Boat, including sixteen members of the Class of 2010 majoring in China and Asia-Pacific Studies (CAPS).
Additional hits of the day that scored high with all who seized the opportunity were two trips in the training barge donated to Capital Rowing Club a few years ago by Cornellian Don Spero ’62, and a training trip in a Hawaiian outrigger canoe.
No wrap-up of such a rewarding event is complete without a huge thank-you to all volunteers from the National Capital Area Women’s Paddling Association and Capital Rowing Club for partnering with us and introducing us to their programs and their equipment in such an enjoyable manner.
