September 2025 Newsletter
September 2025 Berkshire Community Rowing Newsletter
President’s Message:
Socks and toothbrushes!
Adrian Shoobs recently moved his boat to a rack in our singles boathouse and immediately came up with improvements. Here’s one I was skeptical of but now I’m a believer. Use thick winter socks on the oarlocks to protect other boats from scratches AND to protect rowers from getting hurt on those oarlocks. A sock on each oarlock. Adrian has brought a bag of old socks, and you can add yours to the bag. Then we all use them to protect our equipment and rowers.
Now what about toothbrushes? Old toothbrushes are the best cleaning tool for the “teeth” on the foot stretcher tracks. Tired of fighting with the foot stretchers to move them along the track? Bring in old toothbrushes so we have what we need to clean them.
See you on the water!
Welcome, Megan!
BCR is pleased to welcome Megan McIntyre to the club. Recently hired to assist our president, Connell McGrath, with all the many (many!) administrative tasks, Megan is also a hairstylist at a salon in Lenox. She writes, “I have a 15-year-old son and a little bulldog! I am also in school part time at the moment.” Busy as she is, she’s already been a boon to the club. Welcome, Megan, and thanks for lending a hand!
Future Regattas:
- 20th Rockrimmon, Springfield, MA, September 6
Fabulous rowing and fun atmosphere! 5,000 meter course on the Connecticut River.
Singles, Doubles, Quads, Eights. Juniors, Masters. Steaks for first place. Pies for second place. Maple syrup for third place – and Medals!
- Paper City, Holyoke, MA September, 27
- Mohawk, Scotia, NY, September 28
- Head of the Fish, Saratoga Springs, NY, October 26
Interested in participating in any of these regattas? Sign up on https://app.crewlab.io/welcome or contact Randy Oberle erlerob@proton.me or Ted Humphrey Theodore.humphrey@gmail.com.
BCR Committee Updates
Many of you signed up to be a member of a committee at the Annual Meeting back in April. Please contact us at info@berkshirerowing.com to tell us what committee you want to serve on, or to see a list of committee names and functions. We’re finally ready to activate more committees! Thank you.
Volunteer Coaches’ Corner
- The Early Birds have been launching at 5:30 this summer. As we enter the final 10 weeks of the BCR rowing season, that start time will change. A decision/schedule will be made around Labor Day.
- High Viz clothing has been a strong focus of the club this year, and all rowers are wearing appropriate clothing.
Masters Fall Coaching
September 1 – October 31,
Monday, Wednesday & Friday, 6:30 AM – 8:00 AM
Please sign up on regattacentral.com, Programs and Classes
Juniors Fall Season
September 8 – October 31,
Monday, Wednesday & Friday, 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Please sign up on regattacentral.com, Programs and Classes
BRASS Merchandise:
Have you been looking for BCR merchandise? Are you rowing in the Rockrimmon Regatta and don’t have a thing to wear?? You’re in luck, we’re selling BCR items at a discounted price as we head into the Fall Regatta season. Click on this link to see the sale pricing of the inventory available.
Contact Tina Whitmore (freiafibers@gmail.com) to receive the items you’d like to purchase. Check payable to BRASS, PO Box 787, Pittsfield MA 01202 or make your payment by Venmo to @BerkshireRowing.
Best Resource Ever!
You can always find the most up-to-date information on the club’s activities by visiting BCR’s website, berkshirecommunityrowing.org
Photo Contest:
Submit your best pictures or videos or a quick story of what happened on your row celebrating BCR, and you’ll win a prize. Submissions due by September 20th news@berkshirerowing.com
Come Row with Us! info@berkshirerowing.com
Editors: The Marketing & Communications Committee