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Let’s Row Safe in 2020

ROWERS & COXSWAINS

YOU MUST BE A CONFIDENT SWIMMER TO ROW FOR HIGH POINT ROWING CLUB.

If you use a Ventolin inhaler you must have this on your person at all times. Do not give this to a coxswain or coach.

If your boat is ever swamped or capsizes – Stay with the boat. Use it for flotation.  NEVER attempt to swim to shore.

Know the protocols for docking procedures.

Is the bowball firmly and properly attached to the boat?

Are your heel ties tied at the correct length of 3″ between the shoes and footboard? If not – do not row in this seat until fixed.

Never consumer alcoholic beverages or use dangerous drugs while rowing. Be aware of how any medication you take may affect your ability to safely row.

Know OAK HOLLOW LAKE – or any other venue you may be rowing at.
Do you know and observe all traffic patterns? Are you aware of winds and how it can affect a boat’s steering? Identify & remember the locations of all submerged hazards and buoys on the lake.

Watch the Weather!
Do you check the most current weather forecast to stay aware of thunderstorms and wind? Always watch for high winds. Never launch in heavy fog. If fog appears return to shore.

Know the risks: Did you know boaters are struck by lightning at 3X the rate of golfers? If you are not sure – stay on shore.

LIGHTNING!
Lightning is one of our greatest risks while rowing. If you ever hear thunder while rowing – return immediately to the dock. If you see a bolt of lightning, no matter how far away it is, immediately return to shore. Do not wait to get permission from a coach. The coaches will likely not even hear thunder due to the sound of the boat engine.

“If you are not sure, STAY ON SHORE!”

COLD WATER
Rowing on cold water adds another risk for rowers. It is very rare for a rower to fall out of a boat but it does happen. If someone falls out of the boat sometimes the natural reaction of youth rowers is to laugh and keep rowing. DO NOT BE THIS CREW! Falling out of a boat carries serious risks of a head injury on a rigger upon returning to the surface. The immediate reaction of all rowers should be to immediately stop rowing and check the boat to a stop with their oars. Do not wait for a coxswains command to take this action. Quickly back the boat up to retrieve the rower from the water.

PARENTS
Make sure that your rower is a confident swimmer. Parents this is YOUR responsibility.

COACHES 
Be aware of weather. Have radar accessible on your phone. Have the phone numbers of other coaches on the water on your phone.

Do you review the rules and emergency procedures with all rowers on a regular basis?

Communicate an action plan for any emergency.

Keep all equipment maintained and safe.

All coaches should wear a life vest when water temps are below 65F. Youth rowers should wear a life vest at all times when riding in coach boats.

Be sure the coach boat has life vests for rowers, a paddle, bailer, and fire extinguisher.

Know and obey all local and federal regulations concerning all boating safety requirements. Do not have more people in your launch than permitted on the boats safety decal.

Review rowing venue and conditions with coxswains and fellow coaches to identify hazards & tricky conditions.

Never be under the influence of alcoholic beverages or use dangerous drugs while coaching. This includes medication that may cause the use of heavy machinery to be unsafe.

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Fall Registration is Open for Youth Rowing

It is one of the most exciting times of the year in the world of youth rowing. Join High Point Rowing Club’s youth rowing crew this Fall for the pulsating action of North Carolina’s high school and middle school boat racing.

NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY.

FREE SNEAK PEEK WEEK: August 12 – 16 from 7:15 to 9am.

OPEN HOUSE: August 17  from 8am to 11am.

Click the above links to register.

High School Rowing is open to boys and girls entering Grade 9-12 this Fall at any Triad area high school. See the Middle School link for details of that program.

The Autumn rowing season is August 19 through to November 16. Registered participants may begin on August 13 and row the week prior to the official start date at no additional charge.

Middle school participants will row Monday and Thursday from 4:30pm to 6:00pm and Saturday morning 9:00-11am.

While all practices are optional, rowing is much like life in that what you put in is often what you get out.

Included in the Fall is a free Sneak Peek Week will be 7:15 am – 9am from August 12 – 17. All rowers regardless of age and skill level are encouraged to participate in the pre-season. (there is no additional charge for this rowing) After that, rowing will take place Monday though Friday 4:30pm to 6:00pm and on Saturday morning 9-11am. During the week students driving from greater distances can arrive at 4:35pm.

REGISTER new high school students here.

REGISTER returning high school students here.

Please email director Gene Kininmonth at contact@highpointrowing.com to for questions about joining the team. Bring your waiver and swim form signed by a parent to your first practice session. See the Registration page for these forms and the link to register and pay online for the Fall season.

High Point’s youth eight at the Clemson Sprints regatta in South Carolina.
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Triad Rowers Celebrate Year of Rowing at Sedgefield Country Club

Greensboro, North Carolina – Duke University’s head women’s rowing coach Megan Cooke Carcagno gave the keynote address at the 2018 Celebration of Rowing banquet held at Sedgefield Country Club on Saturday night and it was a inspiring rowing story of triumph over challenge.

After an hour of cocktails and silent auction, almost 200 rowers, parents and friends from High Point Rowing Club and Greensboro Crew gathered into the Sedgefield Country Club ballroom for what has become the most prestigious social event on the rowing calendar.

Jack and Harry Kininmonth, serving as Master of Ceremonies, then opened the evening by introducing Greensboro youth coxswain Eleah Stewart to give the invocation.

Jack and Harry Kininmonth served as emcees at the 2018 Celebration of Rowing banquet.

After enjoying a delicious feast, Jack & Harry then returned to the podium to begin the formal ceremonies, which began with High Point rower Natalie Earnhardt, who recited “The Triad Navy” a poem written for the occasion by club founder Gene Kininmonth.

Mary Hollingsworth then presented the High Point Parent of the Year award to Shelli and Brandon York for their service to the crew. Greensboro parent Julie Higgins then presented the Greensboro Parent of the Year award to Holly Messick.

‘Girl Jeanne’ MacPherson, last year’s Masters MVP winner, was then invited to the podium to announce the 2018 recipient – Erin Sanders. Congratulations Erin – High Point Masters MVP Rower of the Year!

Coach Katie Ognovich then talked about the progress of Greensboro Crew and concluded by presenting the Katherine Dickson Award for youth service to Greensboro Crew to Benjamin Huitt and the Greensboro Masters MVP award to Julie Higgins.

Coach Gene Kininmonth then thanked all the Triad United Rowing coaches for their service to the club and presented the Caroline Howard Cup for youth service to High Point Rowing Club to Jamie Atkinson.

It is not every year that the club is fortunate enough to have youth rowers sign with college rowing programs but this year three high school seniors are signing so the club held a special signing ceremony at the banquet to recognize their success. Lindsay York has signed with Drake University, Junior Ognovich has signed with Syracuse University and Ashley Walker has signed with the University of Minnesota.

And then  it was time to welcome world champion rower Megan Cooke-Carcagno to the podium. But before her speech, guests watched on the big screen her USA women’s eight world record breaking victory at the 2006 world championships. The win began a streak for the USA women that lasted almost a dozen years.

But it was the story of Megan’s journey to that record breaking moment that inspired guests at the banquet. Perseverance and resiliency only begin to describe Megan’s effort to make the USA team.  Her years of struggle and never give up attitude up prove that it takes more than talent alone to become the world’s best.

At this point there was just one last piece of business to attend to – the drawing of the raffle ticket to see who would win the brand new Concept2 ergometer. Erin Sanders held out the bucket of tickets and Megan drew the ticket – and the winner was Lisa Thompson (William’s mum). Congratulations Lisa!

Coach Gene then thanked Coach Megan for sharing her story and also Jaree Todd, who chaired this year’s record breaking auction.

The final honor of the evening was to thank our amazing 2018 Banquet Chair Jackie King. Without Jackie there would be no banquet and we were all richer for the experience of this year’s Celebration of Rowing.

Jackie King and Megan Cooke Carcagno at the 2018 Celebration of Rowing banquet.
Jamie Atkinson with the Caroline Howard Cup for service and inspiration to his fellow rowers at High Point Rowing Club.
Three High Point rowers signed with colleges this past week and were recognized at the 2018 Celebration of Rowing banquet. Lindsay York signed with Drake University. Junior Ognovich signed with Syraces and Ashley Walker is going to the University of Minnesota.
Greensboro Crew youth rowers gather at Sedgefield Country Club for the 2018 Celebration of Rowing banquet.

 

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The Triad Navy

The Triad Navy
By Gene Kininmonth

He looked out upon the water
at the mystery of the lake
and pondered, just for a moment
Would this be a great mistake?

To start a club of rowers
Having bought the boat and rack
He told himself, what could go wrong?
Let’s give this crew a crack!

The first crew launched in High Point
Hearts quivering with ache
A shell of girls who had never rowed
Now graced Oak Hollow Lake

While the rowing was not pretty
It did make those young hearts soar
For in those first few moments
They caught the addiction of the oar.

Each year we repeat this holy act
On the Anniversary Row
But instead of just one shell and crew
Now, a fleet of many flow

And there’s a duck in blazing golden glory
Merging lake with bold blue sky
What more could add to this rowing story
Another club? Why not? Let’s try.

At first they said “Oh no you can’t!”
Form another Navy Blue
But when rowers raced across Lake Brandt
They cheered, Go Greensboro Crew!

United together we swing as one
On waters calm or wavy
Bodies strain till the race is done
We fight on, one Triad Navy!

And now, as Autumn turns to Winter
Rowers, celebrate this night
Let the voice of many be heard as one,
“Triad Navy, Unite!”

Triad United Rowing Association founder Gene Kininmonth with his wife Amy and sons Jack and Harry.
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January Sneak Peek is here! Kids try a week of indoor rowing for Free

ergingTry out youth indoor rowing. Free for a whole week – this is ideal for true beginners!

If you are in grades 6-12 at any Triad area school, this is your chance to give indoor rowing a try with our fun youth rowing squad. It is easy and will prepare you for real rowing in racing boats when we hit the water on Oak Hollow Lake in March!

No experience necessary.

WHEN:
Week One: Monday – Friday, (January 13-18) .
Week Two: Monday – Friday (January 20-25).

Start either week on any of these days and row with our youth squad for any or all of these days for just FREE.  Arrive at 4:30pm. We finish at 6pm.

R E G I S T E R   H E R E

WHERE: 124C Wade Street, Jamestown.

This Sneak Peek Week opportunity is for students who have never tried rowing before. It is the perfect way to try a new sport to see if it is for you. Rowing is a big sport where everyone races – there are no bench warmers and the kids really develop strong friendships and have fun.

Students must bring the waiver signed by a parent. These forms can be downloaded on the Registration page. 

Also bring the following:
• running shoes and wear general sporting attire
• water bottle

Still have questions? See our Rowing FAQs page or email our coach, Gene, at contact@highpointrowing.com or call him at (336) 257-9009.

Watching movies makes for a fun way to train in a group on the rowing machines, known as 'ergs.'
Watching movies makes for a fun way to train in a group on the rowing machines, known as ‘ergs.’

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High Point Rowers to Race in Boston this Weekend

High Point will send two boats to Boston to race at the 54th Head of the Charles Regatta this weekend.

In Boston, High Point will be represented on Saturday by Giorgia Bergamasco and Gaia Nencini in the Women’s Championship Double Sculls event. Giorgia and Gaia are both former Clemson University rowers originally from Italy where they rowed for the Italian national team.

On Sunday, High Point will be represented in the youth double sculls by William Hundley and Matthew Hronich, who are the top scullers on the HPRC boys team.

Both High Point crews will race as Triad United Rowing Association.

Held on the Charles River, this year’s regatta has attracted over 11,000 rowers and an expected 400,000 spectators to Boston making it the largest rowing event in the world.

“This is a special moment in history for our rowing club,” says Gene Kininmonth, the founder of High Point Rowing Club. “We have been petitioning to race at the Head of the Charles for years to no avail and now we have two outstanding crews accepted to race.”

Over 2,300 boats representing 804 clubs in 61 different boat classes from across the world will race for the fastest times on the Charles River. It is a dream for any rower to race at least one time in their life at the Head of the Charles.

RACE SCHEDULE

Good luck to our High Point rowers this weekend!

 

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Varsity Girls Triumph over Greensboro in Cross-town Boat Races

Oak Hollow Lake, High Point, NC – High Point’s girls varsity eight came from behind to earn a crosstown victory over rival Greensboro Crew on Saturday.

Both teams should have been racing as Triad United at the Head of the James in Richmond, Virginia on Saturday. That is, until Hurricane Michael struck with such heavy rainfall the James River was flooded and the regatta was cancelled.

So, High Point and Greensboro made the most of the situation with a cross-town duel.

“This was a case of making the best of a disappointing situation,” said High Point coach Gene Kininmonth. “The rowers had been looking forward to the James but this was not a bad consolation, with each squad earning their share of wins.”

High Point’s varsity girls eight of Reagan Labiak, Charlotte Curri, Kinkead Crotts, Junior OGnovich, Natalie Earnhardt, Ashley Walker, Kay Millikan, Elizabeth Richards, and Ava Kanzler earned a crosstown victory over Greensboro Crew on Oak Hollow Lake on Saturday.

Although Hurricane Michael had well and truly passed through the Triad by Saturday, its after effects were still evident. Many families were still without power over the weekend and had left town, which resulted in both squads operating on limited rosters.

“This was a great opportunity for girls who would normally not be in the varsity eight to get their opportunity,” said Gene. “Ava Kanzler has only been rowing a few months and Elizabeth Richards was elevated from the middle school squad. They both performed outstandingly today.”

The roster impact of Hurricane Michael was most pronounced on the boys squad. High Point did not have enough rowers to boat a varsity eight so the duel against Greensboro Crew was battled in coxed fours instead.

Greensboro prevailed with a lead from start to finish. High Point finished second with a Greensboro ‘B’ boat in third.

The final race of the morning was between middle school eights….which were actually crewed by only 6 rowers in each boat due to limited attendance. After a hard fought battle that saw the lead change constantly, Greensboro finally took home the win albeit with some high school rowers on board.

Congratulations all rowers for both races won and battles hard fought!

Greensboro Crew’s women’s varsity eight returns to shore at the cross-town boat races on Saturday morning.

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Autumn Rowing Festival Attracts 181 Boats and Thousands of Spectators to High Point

High Point, NC – Over 500 rowers and thousands of supporters ascended on Oak Hollow Lake’s Festival park on Saturday for the 2018 High Point Autumn Rowing Festival.

Rowers competed in a number of classes including collegiate, youth, and adult (Masters) categories on a winding 5,000 meter race course ‘Round the Duck’ on Oak Hollow Lake. In all 181 boats raced in a time trial format.

UNC Chapel Hill dominated the men’s collegiate blue ribbon eights event in a time of 15 minutes 31 seconds and almost two minutes faster than High Point University and NC State.

NC State won the women’s collegiate eights race in a time of 20 minutes 15 seconds ahead of HPU with two Davidson College entries rounding out the field.

In youth racing, Raleigh’s Triangle Rowing Club showed early fall speed to win both the men’s and women’s eights races. Triangle also won the women’s youth coxed fours race while Eastern Tennessee won the men’s coxed fours race.

High Point rowers combined with Greensboro Crew to race as Triad United Rowing Association (TURA) to win both the men’s and women’s youth quad sculls, double sculls, and women’s open pairs events.

In the prestigious men’s Open Single Sculls race, Davidson College’s Samuel Lindsay narrowly beat out United States national team rower Jack Devlin of Potomac Boat Club.  Shawn Stephenson of Raleigh Rowing Center rounded out the medals.

The High Point Autumn Rowing Festival has seen four years of continued growth and organizers say it is now at capacity due to the limitations of dock space. “We could not advertise the event in any way this year,” says race founder Gene Kininmonth, who also heads up High Point Rowing Club, the host organization for the event. “We didn’t even send out a reminder email to clubs. They just found our website and signed up.”

Kininmonth says that without additional dock space next year there will be a cap on entries. “You never want to turn anyone away from coming to High Point but we just cannot manage the flow of boats launching and returning to shore. With a floating dock we could triple the size of the regatta.”

Spectators pack into Festival Park at Oak Hollow Lake for the 2018 High Point Autumn Rowing Festival.

High Point’s Charlotte Curri and Junior Ognovich are all smiles after winning the women’s youth double sculls race at the 2018 High Point Autumn Rowing Festival.

High Point’s Charlotte Curri, Junior Ognovich, Lindsay York, and Kinkead Crotts cross the line to win the quadsculls event at the 2018 High Point Autumn Rowing Festival.

Greensboro’s Kate Messick and Grace Denenny are cheered by supporters after winning the women’s open pairs event at the 2018 High Point Autumn Rowing Festival.

Looking back from the finish line dock at the 2018 High Point Autumn Rowing Festival.

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Registration is Open for the Adult Fall Rowing Season – Starts Next Week

High Point Rowing Club 5th Anniversary Row

“The purpose of Masters Fall Rowing is to foster healthy living in a fun team environment for adults through the wonderful sport of rowing,” says club organizer Gene Kininmonth. “The highlight of the Fall session will be the opportunity for all rowers to participate in the 2018 High Point Autumn Rowing Festival on September 29 at Oak Hollow Lake.”

Format: Participants with no prior experience will start with a learn-to-row format.  As technique and stamina improve, a more competitive format will be adopted. Experienced rowers will row together in boat orders as assigned by the coaches. For safety reasons, participants must be confident swimmers. In addition to rowing, participants will be expected to serve on occasions as coxswains, the member of the crew that steers the boat and makes the calls.

Dates and Times: Participants may sign up for either weekday or weekend sessions or Fall Unlimited. 

Weekday Session (PM): Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6pm to 7:30pm starting August 21 and ending October 11.

Weekend Session: Saturday mornings at 7:15am and Sunday afternoon at 4pm starting August 25 and ending October 14. (Note, there will be no practices on September 29-30 due to the High Point Autumn Rowing Festival).

Fall Unlimited Sessions: participants can attend all of the above sessions.

Attire: Tee shirt, form-fitting shorts, and flip-flops are usual attire. Loose fitting shorts will likely catch in the “slide” (where the rowing seat moves back and forth in the boat). Bring a water bottle too! Sunglasses are good.

Cost: $200 per rower for 16 sessions. No partial refund for missed sessions or weather related cancellations. However, you can make up a missed class in a different time slot. Check with your company’s wellness program for full or partial reimbursement. Participants can attend all sessions by upgrading to the Fall Unlimited membership for $275.

More Info: Call Gene at 257-9009 or email contact@highpointrowing.com

REGISTER NOW

EVENTS CALENDAR

August 18: Open House

September 8: Crew Anniversary Row & Potluck Brunch

September 29: High Point Autumn Rowing Festival

Masters celebrate after their first regatta on Oak Hollow Lake.
Masters celebrate after their first regatta on Oak Hollow Lake.

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2018 High Point Autumn Rowing Festival set for September 29

Oak Hollow Lake, High Point, NC – Race organizers expect to welcome over 600 rowers and thousands of spectators from across the southeast region of the United States in late September for the 2018 High Point Autumn Rowing Festival. The date of the event has been set for Saturday, September 29, 2018.

Last year the event received a record 153 entries of boats to race the winding 5,000 meter course on Oak Hollow Lake.

“We anticipate a new record for the 2018 Autumn Rowing Festival,” says High Point Rowing Club founder Gene Kininmonth. “Participation in rowing continues to explode in North Carolina. High Point is at the epicenter of this remarkable growth.”

The regatta is open to the general public and admission is free.

Race entries will be made on REGATTACENTRA


Video Highlights of the 2016 High Point Autumn Rowing Festival from Carolina SkyWorks on Vimeo.

Rowers are expected to travel from as far away as Annapolis, Maryland and Atlanta, Georgia for the regatta.

The festival has attracted a number of marquis college names in the past, including local favorite High Point University, as well as NC State, Wake Forest, and Davidson College. In 2017 race organizers hope to entice powerhouse programs from the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, and Duke University.

Also competing are Masters (adult) and youth programs.  In 2017 rowing programs from Atlanta, Raleigh, Charlotte and Asheville were represented among others.

Round the Duck

Boat racing at the rowing festival is a 5,000 meter time-trial. Crews will line up their sleek rowing shells at the Skeet Club Bridge end of Oak Hollow Lake and then race out to the center of the lake where they will row a 180 degree turn “Round the Duck” back to the main channel before turning toward the finish line at Johnson Street Bridge.

That’s right. There’s a duck. A giant bright yellow inflatable duck. Race officials decline to disclose the actual size of the duck but it clearly dwarfs the rowers on the water.

Racing begins at 9:20am and runs through 3:30pm. Following the races the duck will return to shore for children’s photographs.

Use 1841 Eastchester Drive, High Point for GPS directions to Festival Park.

MEDIA: PRESS INFORMATION
Media Center
Media headquarters for the 2018 Rowing Festival will be the Media Center at Oak Hollow Lake. The Media Center is equipped with Wi-Fi access. The Media Center will also accommodate interviews at the conclusion of each event. Race winners will be brought to the interview area for media access. Limited parking is available for daily print, online and television media (advance notice requested). All television stations that will be bringing in satellite trucks should call Gene Kininmonth (office: 336-257-9009) to arrange for vehicle access.

Photographers
Photographers wishing to obtain action shots on the racecourse may be accommodated in a media boat on a first-come, first-served basis. The media boat will be restricted to designated sections of the course and cannot “race” to keep pace with competing boats. Please arrive at the Media Center 60 minutes before you need to be on the water.

 

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6th Anniversary Row & Potluck Set for September 8

The High Point-Greensboro Rowing Club will celebrate its 6th birthday on Saturday, September 8 with a Bridge to Bridge Time Trial for club members followed by a potluck breakfast at Oak Hollow Lake. Joining the festivities for the first time will be rowers from the newly formed Winston Salem Rowing Club.

Students will be boated by their class year and masters by age.

Families and friends are invited to join the rowers for the potluck brunch after the boat races.

The club has much to celebrate after 6 years, with a record number of rowers joining the Masters program for adults and the scholastic program for students from public and private schools across the Triad.

Last year 11 eight-man crews as well as some smaller boats lined the start of the race course at Skeet Club Bridge to race the full extent of Oak Hollow Lake to Johnson Street Bridge and club founder Gene Kininmonth predicts there could be even more crews this year.

All rowers participating in the Crew’s 6th Anniversary Boat Races should arrive at Oak Hollow Lake by 7:30am and be dressed appropriately for the weather on the day. Rowers and families should park on the grass behind the sailboats. A Signup Genius email will be sent to all members and parents with details of the potluck.

Boys and girls attending any Triad area school (Grade 6 -12) are eligible to join the team. No experience necessary. Email Coach Gene contact@highpointrowing.com or see the Registration page for details.

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Free Sneak Peek Week Starts Monday for Students ages 12+

Whether you are in grade 7 in middle school or a high school Junior, you may be looking for a new sport . If so, then this is your chance to give rowing a try for free. Five days of rowing at Oak Hollow Lake – you can come to one practice or all five.

You need to be able to swim with confidence for safety reasons.

Just register and show up. It is that easy!

This summer up to 40 high school and middle school students will be part of our new Winston Salem rowing program at Oak Hollow Lake training alongside the rowers from High Point Rowing Club. This Sneak Peek will give you a head start on learning about rowing to see if the sport is for you.

No experience necessary but you must be able to swim as a safety precaution if you join the team. Participants must be at least 12 years of age.

WHAT? Sneak Peek Week is one week of rowing, where students will learn the technique needed for rowing in racing boats on the water.

WHEN? 4:30pm to 6pm on Monday, June 4 though Friday June 8.

WHERE? Oak Hollow Lake: 3700 Waterview Road, High Point, NC.

COST? FREE!

Also, be sure to have a parent sign the waiver and swim form certifying that you can swim. These can be downloaded on this page. Bring these forms with you.

Also bring the following:
• wear flip flops (not sneakers) because you feet do get wet and normal athletic attire
• water bottle

Questions? Just email Coach Gene at contact@wsrowing.com

High Point varsity rowers Will Hundley, Harry Capizzi, William Scarpa III, and Govind Harish won bronze in the youth varsity quad sculls event at the 2017 Head of the South.

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Youth Crew Celebrates Season at 2018 Spring Banquet

Oak Hollow Lake – High Point youth rowers could be forgiven if they were a little more subdued than typical as they celebrated the season and gave a send of to high school senior Govind Harish at the annual Spring Crew Banquet last night.

Normally on this special occasion the rowers would go out for one last short row in a lineup they had formed special bonds with during the racing season.

But with no York Cup challenges on the books for 2017-18, two eights were sent out to race a bridge to bridge from Skeet Club to Johnson Street, with the winner earning the coveted York Cup.

James Li, Junior Ognovich, Jacob Messick, Matthew Hronich, Charlotte Curri (coxswain), Ashley Walker, Emily Winberg, Harry Capizzi, and Lindsay York (missing) were the York Cup winners for 2017-18.

The York Cup is named in honor of High Point crew philanthropists Caren and Greg York. It is a club bonding race and crews challenging for the York Cup must be comprised of the following athletes:

1.) All members of the crew must be currently enrolled in high school or middle school. (the Summer following your senior year makes you ineligible!)
2.) At least two and no more than four male rowers in the boat. A coxswain may be a fifth male member of the crew.
3.) At least four of the rowers must be in their novice year, freshmen, or in middle school.

Congratulations James Li, Junior Ognovich, Jacob Messick, Matthew Hronich, Ashlet Walker, Emily Winber, Harry Capizzi, Lindsay York and coxswain Charlotte Curri for your York Cup victory!

William Scarpa III opened the formal proceedings of evening with a welcome.

Coach Gene Kininmonth then welcomed back the team’s alumni Maddie Mullins and Kyle Koval. Both Maddie and Kyle are home for the summer from college and will be assisting High Point and Greensboro’s rowing programs with coaching over the summer.

Gene then thanked the club’s coaches Paul Herger and Katie Eliades for their service to the rowers and all the parents and particularly Beth Heer, the team’s parent liaison, for all the support of the club throughout the season.

It was then on to the awards presentation, which were presented accordingly:

Female Rower of the Year
Jackie Junior Ognovich

Male Rower of the Year
William Hundley

Most Improved Female Rower
Kinkead Crotts

Most Improved Male Rower
Jacob Messick

Middle School MVP – Female
Natalie Earnhardt

Middle School MVP – Male
Charles Richards

Then it was time to pay tribute to the club’s lone graduating senior, Govind Harish.

Govind enthralled the rowers with a list of superlatives for each of them. He then continued the tradition of handing down shirts to a returning member of the club. Govind had been handed down his jersey from Mac Warwick, a 2017 graduate. “Mac was a beast both in personality and rowing presence,” said Govind. “And I wanted to pass this shirt on to someone who encapsulates this and so I am handing it down to William Hundley.”

Govind then thanked his fellow rowers and coaches for “everything we have been a part of these past 5 years I have been on the club.”

Coach Gene then thanked Govind for his years contributions to the High Point crew. “Many of you will stay in touch with each other throughout your lives. You won’t remember each other for what races you may have won. You will remember your crew mates for how hard they tried, for having your back, for stepping up when needed. And this is how we will especially remember Govind Harish in this club”

And then it was over to the dock for the traditional club photo.

Thank you everyone for a terrific year of rowing!

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Ognovich Advances to Final Six at USRowing Southeast Championships in Florida

Sarasota, Florida – High Point’s Junior Ognovich advanced to the final of the women’s single sculls in afternoon racing on Day One at the USRowing Southeast Youth Championships.

Ognovich joins three High Point crews in Sunday’s finals.

In the morning time trials Harry Capizzi and William Hundley qualified for the final six in the men’s pairs and Ainsley Fox and Charlotte Curri qualified for the final six in the lightweight double sculls final.

The regional rowing championships comprises the best youth rowers from Florida, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Louisiana.

Ognovich finished second in the semi final round after finishing with the third fastest time in the initial time trial to earn her place in Sunday’s final.

Junior Ognovich heads to the start of the semi final round at USRowing’s Southeast Youth Championships in Sarasota, Florida.[/caption

SUNDAY RACE SCHEDULE:

Women’s Single Sculls Final – 8:00am
Junior Ognovich

Men’s Pairs Final – 8:24am
Harry Capizzi and William Hundley

Women’s Lightweight Double Sculls Final – 8:32am
Charlotte Curri and Ainsley Fox

Women’s U17 Quad Sculls Final – 1:03pm
Molly Hilemn, Arte Blythe, Kinkead Crotts, Charlotte Curri

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High point Rowers Start Strong at 2018 USRowing Southeast Youth Championships

Sarasota, Florida – High Point rowers are off to a strong start at the 2018 USRowing Southeast Youth Championships with 5 of 6 of the club’s boats advancing through the first round this morning.

Opening racing for High Point, Junior Ognovich and Arte Blythe, both finished among the top 14 single scullers to qualify for finals this afternoon.

In some tight racing, Lindsay York and Molly Hilemn finished 9th in the women’s pairs time trial. With only the first 7 qualifying for the final the two just missed the Sunday final.

Next up Will Hundley and Harry Capizzi finished 5th in the time trial for men’s pairs and thus qualifying for the final on Sunday.

Next up, High Point’s Ainsley Fox and Charlotte Curri qualified for the final on Sunday  in the women’s lightweight double scull.

Charlotte Curri and Ainsley Fox have qualified for Sunday’s final in the women’s lightweight double sculls at the 2018 USRowing Southeast Youth Championships.

 

Ashley Walker and Emily Winberg then raced the women’s open weight  double scull. Despite only recently being paired together, the two qualified for afternoon semi final racing.

Ashley Walker and Emily Winberg launch at the 2018 USRowing Southeast Youth Championships in Sarasota, Florida.

In other afternoon racing, Matthew Hronich and Jacob Messick will race in the first round heats of  U17 boys double sculls. With 20 entries this may be the most competitive field at the regional championships. The two are no strangers to competition, however, after winning the same event at the Dogwood Junior Championships two weeks ago.

In tomorrow’s finals,  Molly Hilemn, Arte Blythe. Kinkead Crotts, and Charlotte Curri, will also be racing in the women’s U17 quadscull event. High Point won bronze in this event in 2017.

Held at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, the USRowing Southeast Youth Championships will feature 1,406 athletes from 49 clubs racing in 416 boats. The regional championship is a must stop on the road to the national championships. Crews must finish in the top three in their regional to qualify for nationals, which will be held in Sacramento, Calif., in June.

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High Point Rowers Make Final Tune ups for Florida Regionals

High Point, NC – High Point rowers are making final preparations on Oak Hollow Lake this week in advance of the upcoming USRowing Southeast Youth Championships taking place this weekend in Sarasota, Florida.

Held at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, the USRowing Southeast Youth Championships will feature 1,406 athletes from 49 clubs racing in 416 boats. The regional championship is a must stop on the road to the national championships. Crews must finish in the top three in their regional to qualify for nationals, which will be held in Sacramento, Calif., in June.

High Point will be represented by eight boats of rowers in Sarasota – its largest fleet ever at the at the regional championships.

Opening racing for High Point will be scullers Junior Ognovich and Arte Blythe, who will compete in the Women’s single sculls event. Junior won the singles title at the North Carolina state championships in April and Arte was a member of the winning U17 quad sculls crew at the same event.

Following the single sculls events, Lindsay York and Molly Hilemn will be looking to defend the regional title in the women’s pairs event won by High Point in 2017 by Junior Ognovich and Maddie Mullins.

Next up Will Hundley and Harry Capizzi will race in the men’s pair event. Will and Harry have shown flashes of speed throughout the season indicating the possibility of a win. They will need to get into a solid rhythm early to compete with Triangle Rowing Club of Raleigh, whose rowers won the North Carolina Youth Championships in this event.

High Point’s Ainsley Fox and Charlotte Curri will then team up to race the women’s lightweight double sculls event. Ainsley and Charlotte topped the competition in the upper region in this event at the Dogwood Junior Championships two weeks ago and will see if their speed will be enough to take on the Florida competition for gold.

Ashley Walker and Emily Winberg will then race the women’s open weight  double scull. The two were recently paired together for this event but have shown significant improvement in speed in practice.

In other boys racing Matthew Hronich and Jacob Messick will race for gold in the U17 boys double sculls. With 20 entries this may be the most competitive field at the regional championships. The two are no strangers to competition, however, after winning the same event at the Dogwood Junior Championships two weeks ago.

Rounding out the fleet for High Point will be Molly Hilemn, Arte Blythe. Kinkead Crotts, and Charlotte Curri, who will be racing in the women’s U17 quadscull event. High Point won bronze in this event in 2017.

Arte Blythe and Junior Ognovich will represent High Point at the 2018 USRowing Southeast Regional Championships in Sarasota, Florida.

William Hundley and Harry Capizzi will race in the men’s pair event at the 2018 USRowing Southeast Youth Championships in Sarasota, FL.

Charlotte Curri and Ainsley Fox will race in the women’s lightweight double sculls event at the 2018 USRowing Southeast Youth Championships in Sarasota, FL.

Jacob Messick and Matthew Hronich make final preparations for the 2018 USRowing Southeast Youth Championships in Sarasota, FL.

Charlotte Curri, Kinkead Crotts, Arte Blythe, and Molly Hilemn will race for gold at the 2018 USRowing Southeast Youth Championships in Sarasota, FL.

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High Point Rowers Shine at Dogwood Junior Championships

Waterfront real estate is premium for rowers and their boats at the 2018 Dogwood Junior Championships regatta in Oak Ridge, Tennessee,

Oak Ridge, TN – High Point Rowing Club’s youth squad shined in racing at the Dogwood Junior Championships Regatta over the weekend, winning gold in two championship finals and a bronze medal in a third. Equally as rewarding to the team, every rower that raced made a grand final on Sunday in the two-day regatta.

Oak Ridge Rowing Association welcomed 2,000 youth rowers from all over the Southeast and Midwest to compete in the 2018 Dogwood Junior Regional Regatta. The regatta is one of the largest in the Southeast.

A crew’s performance at the event will be considered heavily for selection purposes by coaches at the USRowing Southeast Regional Championship in Sarasota, Florida in May, where rowers compete to qualify for the Youth National Championships.

High Point’s Charlotte Curri and Ainsley Fox won gold in the women’s lightweight double sculls final – the first win in a team boat at Dogwood for the club. Just an hour earlier, Charlotte teamed up with Arte Blythe to win a bronze medal in the women’s U17 double sculls final.

Gold for Charlotte Curri and Ainsley Fox at the 2018 Dogwood Junior Championships regatta.

The next gold medal won for High Point was in the Men’s U17 double sculls final. Matthew Hronich and Jacob Messick combined to lead from wire to wire on the Melton Lake race course in Oak Ridge.

Jacob Messick and Matthew Hronich strike gold at the 2018 Dogwood Junior Championships.

Charlotte Curri and Ainsley Fox wearing the gold medals won in the women’s lightweight double sculls final at the 2018 Dogwood Junior Championships regatta.

The depth of the women’s sculling squad was proven over the weekend with High Point’s two women’s quad sculls successfully making it through the time trials and semi finals to the grand final. In the final High Point’s A boat of Junior Ognovich, Lindsay York, Molly HIlemn and Ainsley Fox just missed out on a medal in a photo finish at the line.

“Our High Point rowers showed incredible resiliency and commitment to racing in Oak Ridge,” said coach Gene Kininmonth. “Everyone made finals although in hindsight we raced some of them, particularly our single scullers, in too many events this weekend and that hurt their ability to perform in the finals. But the racing experience will help them reach higher levels in two weeks at the Southeast Regional Championships in Sarasota. I have no doubt their best is yet to come.”

High Point missed out on a medal by a bow ball in the women’s quad sculls final at the 2018 Dogwood Regatta.

Charlotte Curri and Arte Blythe won bronze in the U17 double sculls final at the 2018 Dogwood Junior Championships regatta.

Rowers lie in absolute exhaustion between races at the 2018 Dogwood Regatta. Some rowers raced as many as 8 2,000 meter races over the weekend.

The boys quad scull of William Hundley, Harry Capizzi, William Scarpa, and Govind Harish made it to the final at the Dogwood Championships.

Arte Blythe, Ashley Walker, Emily Winberg and Charlotte Curri were one of two High Point quad sculls that made it to the final at the 2018Dogwood Junior Rowing Championships.

Every rower for High Point qualified for a final at the 2018 Dogwood Junior Rowing Championships.

It was a photo finish for High Point’s quad scull crew of Ainsley Fox, Molly HIlemn, Lindsay York, and Junior Ognovich at the 2018 Dogwood Junior Championships regatta.

 

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Register for Summer Youth Rowing – No experience necessary!

Oak Hollow Lake, High Point, NC – Join the fun on the water at Oak Hollow Lake this Summer! The 2018 Summer Youth Rowing program is for high school & middle school girls and boys of all experience levels (including no experience) to row during the summer.

COST: $285 This fee covers equipment use, lake fees, coaching services, administrative costs (insurance, etc). The summer season is June 4 thru August 11.

WHERE: 3700 Waterview Road, High Point, NC.

WHEN: Initially during the week from June 4-8 rowing sessions will take place in the afternoons from 4:30pm until 6:15pm and at 9am on Saturday mornings. On June 11 rowing sessions then move to mornings Monday – Saturday from 7:15am – 9:00am each day to avoid the heat.

REGISTER HERE 

HPG Rowing enjoyed great success at the inaugural North Carolina Youth Rowing Championships. Rowers from the High Point Greensboro club won state championships in 7 out of 14 events the club entered.

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High Point to Host 2018 State Rowing Championships

Festival Park at Oak Hollow Lake, – High Point will host the North Carolina Youth Rowing State Championships at Festival Park on Oak Hollow Lake on Saturday.

This is the second annual North Carolina state championship for youth rowing. Over 400 high school and middle school rowers from the top rowing clubs across the state will compete in 39 different boat classes. Rowers will come in from Asheville, Belmont, Charlotte, Jordan Lake and Raleigh to face off against home town crews from High Point and Greensboro.

The six clubs have entered 118 boats in this year’s event, an increase of almost 50% from last year reflecting the growth in the sport.

High Point’s Festival Park at Oak Hollow Lake was unanimously selected by coaches as the venue for its central location and the local organizing committee’s proven success at hosting regional rowing events.

Festival Park offers spectators unobstructed views of the entire 1,500 meter race course from an elevated location.

Festival Park on Oak Hollow Lake was unanimously selected by coaches as the venue for the 2017 North Carolina Youth Rowing State Championships.

 

High Point and Greensboro will be racing as HPG Rowing, the “racing umbrella” for the two clubs foundered by High Point local Gene Kininmonth.

Whilst rowing is one of the oldest sports in America, it is still very new in the Tar Heel state. “With just six youth rowing clubs, North Carolina is still very much in the pioneering phase for this sport,” says High Point club founder Gene Kininmonth. “This presents us with lots of opportunities but also a lot of challenges when folks in our local communities are not familiar with rowing.”

Here is a look at the beauty of the sport of rowing and High Point’s Oak Hollow Lake in video:

HPRC – 2016 Fall Regatta from Carolina SkyWorks on Vimeo.