Volume 47 | April 2022
Caspersen Rowing Center Happenings
Providing a venue where athletes of all ages, talents and backgrounds have the opportunity to develop their rowing ability to their highest potential.
Mercer Lake Sprints
Race Recap by Mercer 1V Boy's Rower: Sean Mills
The Varsity Boys team had quite a successful weekend of racing on both Saturday and Sunday with 8 different boats placing in the top 3! The eights started the weekend off strong with some competitive racing on Saturday and Sunday. The boys' 1st varsity eight placed 3rd overall in the A final, while their 3rd varsity 8 won gold with the fastest time of both 3v8+ flights! The team showed its depth with the 4th Varsity 8 placing second overall and the 5th varsity 8 placing 5th overall in the same race! The coxed fours maintained the momentum of Saturday morning's racing, with two of the boys' 3rd varsity fours placing first and third in different flights. The lightweight fours crushed the competition, placing first and second in separate flights as well. Finally, the 2nd varsity fours placed third in their heat on Saturday with the other four taking it all the way to second place on Sunday's A final. Great racing boys, keep up the momentum this coming weekend!

Race Recap by Mercer Varsity Girl's Lightweight 4+: Cate Quiñones
It was a very fun race! Our boat got off the line in second and moved into third for the middle thousand. A boat began to sprint through us toward the end, but the four of us worked together and Sofia encouraged us to keep pushing our hardest until the end. It was very exciting and we all felt very accomplished to have medaled after working so hard together.

Race Recap By Mercer Novice Girl's 1st Eight: Vita Moss-Wang
Before racing, we knew there would be strong competition. Although we had lots of nerves going in, I am proud of us that we kept our focus, pulling ahead just enough to secure bronze.

Coach Al will Participate in Princeton Pro Musica's Shout to Joy at Princeton University Chapel Saturday, May 7th at 7:30 pm
Summer U23 Interest Form!
Anyone who is interested in participating in a U23 rowing program at Mercer this summer please check out this link for information and the interest form!

Whether or not we hold the program will be dependent on interest, so please fill out the form and spread the word! Any questions or issues please email Jamie (jhamp@rowpnra.org).
Summer Camp Registration
Summer is just around the corner!

Do you know someone who would like to learn to row at the Mercer Learn to Row Summer Camps?

Registration is open for the 2022 Summer Camps. Open to rising 7th through 12th graders.
Women's Rowing U.S. Postage Stamps
 U.S Postal Service will be issuing stamps celebrating the sport of women's rowing. The four new stamps will be issued on May 13, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at the Philadelphia Girls' Rowing Club. The event is open to the public

Women's Rowing stamps are now available for pre-order online from USPS.


STEM to Stern Volunteers Needed!
The Princeton National Rowing Association (PNRA) is partnering with STEM to Stern and the Princeton University Rowing Programs to eliminate barriers to participation in rowing and STEM education. 

Many students from underserved communities face barriers including lack of transportation and swimming competency as well as cost and underrepresentation. STEM to Stern addresses these barriers through local and national partnerships to ensure that all students are able to participate on rowing teams, regardless of race, socioeconomic status, or address. STEM to Stern enables rowing clubs to be more inclusive, competitive, and accessible to everyone and uses rowing to unite students from different communities.

We are currently in need of some volunteers to help with transportation and some for programming as well. The start date will be April 26th and run till June 2nd every Tuesday and Thursday. Transportation starts at 2:35 with a pick up at Caspersen and will continue from there to several schools finishing at 4:15 at Caspersen. The program runs from 4:30-6:30 with some parents picking up at the boathouse and others via the van going to Trenton to pick up. There will be van rides back to campus from Pick up and Drop off. 

Use the attached form to indicate your availability to support the program. We appreciate all of support. Please let our Outreach and Inclusion Manager (Arlynn Baer) know if you have any questions or concerns. 

Adult Summer Programs
We are excited to announce our Summer Rowing programs for adults.

Rowing in the Barge is a fun, low-key way to get out on the water to enjoy Mercer Lake and get a bit of exercise! All sessions will have an experienced coach on board the ‘rowing barge’ and classes will be held on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9:30 to 10:30 with the first class on Tuesday, May 24. There is a FREE tryout session on Tuesday, May 17, or Thursday, May 19 for those who want to test it out beforehand.
 
Adult Learn to Row is a program offered in two 4 week sessions. This is geared toward adults who are interested in learning how to row on the water in a rowing shell. Sessions will meet three times a week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) in the evening from 5:45 to 7:15 starting the week of June 20.
 
We are pleased to offer the Adult Summer Rowing League for those who want to be part of a team and row in an 8 person shell. This is a great opportunity for companies to sponsor a fun outdoor experience with co-workers. It’s also available to individuals who want to learn to row and meet new people. This program will meet once or twice a week (you choose) and you have the option to create your own team of 8 to 10 people or be placed on a team. All teams will have an experienced coach and coxswain assigned to them.
 
National Learn to Row Day is scheduled for Saturday, June 18. This is a FREE one-day event open to the community, ages 11 and older. Sign up for a 90-minute session that will cover the basics and get you taking strokes out on the water!
 
Private lessons are available pending water/weather and coach availability. Contact Hilary Gehman to learn more.
Mercer Lake Spring Racing Schedule
USRowing National Team Trials May 2-6

USRowing Mid-Atlantic Youth Regionals: May 14-15

IRA Championships: June 3-5
Host A National Team Rower
Interested in hosting a National Team athlete? The Caspersen Rowing Center is the USRowing National Training Site and athletes who come here to train are often looking for low or no rent housing options as they pursue their Olympic dreams. Click HERE to learn more about this great opportunity. Please reach out to Hilary if you are interested.
Does your employer have a matching gift program?
Check out the Matching Gift finder feature on our website. Click here to find if your employer has a program.
We're all in this together!!
Your support today will make a difference.

Thank you.

Mercer Team gear is still available - face masks, hats, scarves, umbrellas, shirts . . .
Show your Mercer Spirit!
Contact Jules Howarth jhowarth@rowpnra.org
PNRA is a 501 (c)3 nonprofit corporation. We are grateful to all who support our mission and could not do it without you! We gladly accept gifts of appreciated stock and corporate matching gifts. Have questions? Contact Kris at krisgrudt@rowPNRA.org
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