December 20, 2022
Dear Supporter:
As 2021 rolls into its final days, I would like to thank those of you who have given to BRF in this year, encourage those who might not have, and give a quick report on our year’s activity.
As a reminder, the Boston Rowing Federation is a pan-river, Greater Boston effort to support a limited number of oarsmen and oarswomen who can contend for Olympic and Paralympic medals in the current quadrennial and who have committed to live and train in Boston. Support may include career advancing opportunities, temporary housing, mentoring, and coverage of training and travel expenses. During the past year we have supported athletes training out of CBC, Riverside, Newell, and CRI.
Seven women were supported by BRF last year. Michelle Sescher joined with Molly Reckford in the lightweight double to win World Cup II, the Women’s Double at Henley, and a silver medal at the World Championships in September. Emily Kallfelz overcame significant issues with her back to stroke the US quad at the World Championships and to win the single at the Head of the Charles. Maggie Fellows also competed in the women’s quad. Mary Jones Nabel won both World Cup I and II this year in the lightweight single and competed at the World Championships in the single.
Mary Jones Nabel With the Gold Medal at the Poznan World Cup (Photo courtesy of USRowing)
These three women, plus three other women and perhaps two men, will be pursuing a spot on the US Senior Team this year and are ultimately focused on the Paris Olympics. This winter we will be covering their Boston training costs including strength training, coaching and PT as well as travel and housing costs at winter training sites. Under the new training and selection plans of US Rowing, some of our athletes will also be training at altitude and in national camps in Chula Vista and Sarasota. Everyone will participate in a Speed Order Regatta in singles this March in Sarasota. Qualifying athletes will go to a national selection camp. At BRF, our goal is to have no one home during selection.
Emily (Stroke) and Maggie (Bow) race in the semifinals at the World Championships (Photo courtesy of USRowing/Row2k)
Under the new US Rowing High Performance Director, Josy Verdonkschot, US Rowing is covering more international travel costs than it has in the past. In addition, in large part due to our efforts, Boston has been named a US Rowing High Performance Center, and US Rowing will be supplying more support for our athletes. These changes have led to a larger number of athletes. Early season trials will require more southern training. Therefore, we expect our costs to continue at over $50,000 a year. For this we rely heavily on you, our consistent supporters.
Donations are 100% tax deductible and are managed by our fiscal sponsor, Community Rowing, Inc. They may be made through our website, http://www.bostonrf.org/support/. Be sure to note “BRF” in the special instructions box of the CRI web site.
If you prefer to send a check, please note “BRF” in the memo line and mail it to:
Community Rowing Inc.,
Attn: Shawn Cote, Director of Development
20 Nonantum Road,
Brighton, MA 02135.
Many thanks for your support and consideration,
R. Gregg Stone,
President