The Spring 2010 is now in our wake, but the memories from these last few months will not be soon forgotten.

Spring 2010 got off to a promising start! In mid-March, crews and volunteers from West Side and the affiliated high school programs loaded two trailers of boats, moved 8 motorboats and a complete boat rack system to Veterans Park in Tonawanda, NY. This massive move was short lived as the ice from Lake Erie cleared out earlier than expected and crews were able to hit the home waters of the Black Rock Canal on March 30! This was the first year in over a decade that crews have been on the water at West Side prior to April 1^st.

The extra water time came in handy as crews traveled to the Ohio Governor’s Cup regatta on April 24^th. 41 crews from 7 West Side programs battled crews from Ohio, Pennsylvania and other surrounding areas on Griggs Reservoir in Columbus, Ohio. Winners from West Side include: West Side Juniors (Women’s Varsity 8 – Gold, Women’s Lightweight 8 – Gold, Women’s Lightweight 4 – Gold, Women’s 2^nd Varsity 4 – Silver and Bronze, Women’s Varsity 4 – Bronze), Canisius H.S. (Men’s Varsity 4 – Gold, Men’s Lightweight 8 – Gold, Men’s Lightweight 4 – Silver, Men’s 2^nd Novice 8 – Silver, Men’s Varsity 8 – Bronze), and St. Joe’s C.I. (Men’s Lightweight 4 – Gold, Men’s Lightweight 8 – Silver, Men’s Varsity 4 – Bronze, Men’s 2^nd Varsity 4 – Bronze).

The Governor’s Cup proved to be a good warm up race for West Side crews as the club prepared to host the John Bennett Regatta on May 2^nd. A stormy forecast never materialized on race day which allowed nearly 200 crews to race in 18 events. All 36 races (18 heats and 18 finals) were completed ahead of schedule with the West Side Junior Women winning 6 of 9 Women’s events. Strong performances were also turned in by Canisius H.S., Nardin Academy and St. Joe’s C.I.

Next up for the crews of West Side was the New York State Championships held in Saratoga Springs, NY. 56 crews, racing in 32 shells and traveling on 3 trailers (2 West Side trailers and one from Chautauqua Rowing Club) invaded the shores and waters of Fish Creek. Medal winning performances were turned in by: West Side Juniors (Girls Lightweight 8 – Gold, Girls 2- Gold, Girls Lightweight 2x - Silver), Canisius H.S. (Boys Freshman 8 – Bronze, Boys Freshman 4 – Gold, Boys Senior 8 – Bronze, Boys 2^nd 8 – Bronze, Boys Lightweight 8 – Gold, Boys Junior 8 – Silver), St. Joe’s C.I. (Boys Lightweight 4 – Gold, Boys Junior 4 - Bronze), Nardin (Girls Freshman 8 – Bronze, Girls Lightweight 8 – Silver, Girls 2^nd 8 – Silver), Nichols (Girls Novice 4 – Bronze, Girls Junior 4 – Silver), City Honors (Girls Freshman 4 – Bronze, Boys 2 – Gold).

The low point of the 2010 spring season came on May 12^th when Bill Fleming passed away. A decorated athlete, architect & construction crew chief of the current WSRC boathouse, hot dog vendor, plumber, groundskeeper, beverage distribution specialist and a tireless fixer of outboard engines were just a few of the many titles Bill held at West Side. It has often been said that Bill forgot more about outboard engines than the rest of could hope to learn in 3 lifetimes! Bill is and will continue to be greatly missed. Things will never be the same at West Side.

Back on the water, crews continued to train through a rare regatta free weekend in May. Next up on the regatta schedule was the controlled chaos of the Welland Scholastic Invitational Regatta. 63 crews from West Side competed in this two day, battling long rows, weather extremes and tough competition from many Canadian programs. Crews from Canisius H.S., St. Joe’s C.I, Nardin and Nichols all came home with medals from this regatta.

14 crews from Canisius H.S., Nardin Academy, St. Joe’s C.I. and Nichols traveled back to Saratoga Springs to compete in the Scholastic National Championships on May 28 and 29^th. High temperatures, low winds and dry land (all of which are uncharacteristic for racing at Saratoga) set the stage for 2 days of great racing between the top scholastic programs in America. The Canisius H.S. Lightweight 8, consisting of Kevin Tompkins (cox), Connor Mangan (stroke), Liam Moffett (7), Will Downing (6), Sean Kenney (5), John Cotter (4), Tim Van Oss (3), Zak Papas (2) and Emmett Ogiony (Bow) repeated as national champions in the Men’s Lightweight 8 event. In the Men’s Lightweight 4+ event, St. Joe’s C.I. (Matt Coughlin, Zach Schaab, Tom Evangelista, Rick Izzo and Zack Connerton) came in second place to bring home a silver medal. The Canisius H.S. Freshman 8 finished 5^th.

The National crews returned to Buffalo to rejoin the test of their teams and compete in the 26^th Annual Fontana All-High Regatta. The weather cooperated again and another great day of racing took place on the Black Rock Canal. All programs were well represented in the finals and on the medal stand.

The “Proud Mary” (a 2009 Vespoli V1 8) and the “Tom Jackson” (a 2009 Vespoli V1 4+) were welcomed to the fleet in a brief ceremony after the regatta. Thank you to all of the donors and individuals that helped to bring these great boats to West Side and ensure that our athletes will be racing in top of the line equipment for years to come!

On June 4^th, the scholastic programs from West Side ventured across the boarder to compete in the Canadian Scholastic Championships being held in St. Catharine’s, Ont. 32 crews from Canisius H.S., Nardin Academy, Holy Angels, St. Joe’s C.I. and City Honors went to Henley Island to race the top crews from Canada. Medal winning performances were turned in by Canisius H.S. (Sr. Men’s Lightweight 8 - Silver, Junior Men’s 8 - Silver, Sr. Men’s 66Kg 4+ - Bronze), and Nardin (Sr. Women’s Lightweight 8 – Silver).

The last event of the spring season took crews from West Side, Canisius H.S., Nardin Academy, St. Joe’s C.I., and City Honors to Cincinnati, OH to race in the USRowing Youth National Championships. Arguably the most authentic of all national championship events, the Youth National Championships brings together the top scholastic and club programs from across the United States to one venue for an all out slug fest on the water. Three or more boats crossing the finish line within one second of each other is not uncommon at this regatta. This year the West Side Youth Women’s 4+ consisting of Rachel Hirschbeck, Sage Green, Eliza Frank, Kellie Solowski and Abby Giancola finished 4^th in the Grand Final. The Canisius H.S. Men’s Lightweight 8 with crew members Connor Mangan, Liam Moffett, Will Downing, Sean Kenney, John Cotter, Tim Van Oss, Taylor Tobias and coxswain Kevin Tompkins also finished 4^th and were the first scholastic crew in the event.

The Spring 2010 season was fast and furious. The hard work and dedication of the athletes and coaches manifested in many on water victories! Congratulations to all athletes & coaches, and thank you to all of the volunteers and supporters of youth rowing at the West Side Rowing Club for another successful spring season! West Side looks forward to continuing the speed and successes of the spring season in the 2010 summer programs!