With every year the "Learn To Row Regatta" with Special Olympic athletes gets bigger and better! The third annual regatta on August 9 was the highlight of the four session "Learn To Row" program.

The spectacular photos taken by JJ Thorp tell the story much better than any words. Please visit the site to see the determination, intensity and joy the athletes experience.

Read more about the day...

Five athletes from last year participated this year: Patrick Hulsbus, Tim Shorten, Jeffrey Peterman, John Paul Sitzmann and Dana Friedman. (Unfortunately, Rita Curtis was unable to join the Learn to Row this year but we look forward to her being back next year.) This year Maggie Sartor participated in LTR for the first time; but, Maggie isn’t new to the LTR. She and her mom were spectators at all the previous regattas. They were there to cheer on Maggie’s “very best friend of 10 years” Jeffrey Peterman. Along with all the athletes, Maggie brought heart, soul and unbridled enthusiasm to each session.

Regatta Day started with a buzz. Everyone was at the boathouse early. After three earlier sessions with two boats and a little taste of racing each session, everyone was ready for the regatta. Coaches Kate Chilton, Pete Liefeld and Stacey Grossman organized everyone – warm-ups on the ergs, line-ups announced, pre-race strategy meetings and down to the dock to launch.

While the boats were launching, family and friends filled four launches for on the water spectating and cheering. Additional family and friends lined the shore, cheering and waving the rowers on.

Two even line-ups resulted in some close racing. Cristina Battani returned for her second year as the primary cheerleader for the Sarabi. She coxed Cate Wallenfels at stroke followed by Michael Breard, Patrick Hulsbus, Martha Thompson, John Paul Sitzmann, Burnie LeMarie, Susan MacLeod and Lois Friedlander. Ready to challenge in the Redwood Express, was the highly motivating Lydia Arellano coxing with Annie Voisinet at stroke followed by Ray Blindauer, Maggie Sartor, Caitlin Morgan, Tim Shorten, Lowell Dwyer, Dana Friedman and Hailey Wunsch.

Three close races with all 8 rowing were held down the straight away on the creek. The Redwood Express won the first race by 4 seats. The Sarabi, not to be out done, took the second race by 3 seats. In the third race every athlete in both boats left everything on the water and the boats finished dead even. Everyone recovered and enjoyed refreshments afterward as the athletes received their certificates and Marin Rowing gift bags.

Thank you to everyone that volunteered for all four Learn To Row sessions. More than half the volunteers came to multiple sessions, some were buddies to athletes supporting the athlete over any hurdle, and many were there for specialty functions – coaching, photography, launch driving and refreshments. Your generosity allowed the athletes to participate in our great sport. The athletes bring their spirit, enthusiasm and joy to every session. They arrive early, they want to be coached and they love to complete. Thanks for giving them this terrific opportunity.

May the pictures bring a smile to the faces and happiness to the hearts of the volunteers: Lydia Arellano, Ron Arlas, Cristina Battani, Ray Blindauer, Kate Boyd, Michael Breard, Matt Brown, Kate Chilton, Kim Coggan, Beth Cook, Tom Cook, Nita Dupen, Lowell Dwyer, Stacey Ford, Kathie Forte, Lois Friedlander, Zoe Friedlander, Francis Gomez, Stacey Grossman, Carol Keller, Brian Kelly, Burnie LeMarie, Pete Liefeld, Susan MacLeod, Meredith May, Brigitte Merrell, Erin Moody, Caitlin Morgan, Kris Rockwell, Corrie Sias, Spencer Sias, Virginia Snyder, Barbara Sullivan, Martha Thompson, JJ Thorp, Annie Voisinet, Cate Wallenfels, Hailey Wunsch, and many more.