The Laker Navy has been maneuvering through an unpredictable season with commendable focus. Grand Valley will now look to make the best of the situation by pulling the resources of the entire Laker Navy. It’s tough not being able to practice in your own boathouse, but the Laker Navy is unsinkable. Keep Pulling for the Laker Navy.

The 18th Annual Lubbers Cup Regatta was an all around success for the Grand Valley Lakers. Racing at Spring Lake gives athletes, parents, and alumni a chance to showcase some speed and provides another opportunity to race. This years Lubbers cup saw high winds, low temperatures, rough conditions, and even snow at times, but the regatta went forward as planned for the Varsity and Novice 8+ events. Due to rough conditions from mother nature, the evening races were canceled , which included all four plus events.

The women’s team claimed the Women’s points trophy as they claimed victories in the Women’s Novice 8+, Women’s 2V 8+, and the Women’s Varsity 8+.

The Grand Valley Men claimed the Men’s points trophy and had a very fantastic showing with victories in the Men’s Varsity 8+ and Men’s Novice 8+.

In addition, the 2013 Lubbers Cup regatta was a success for all the alumni, parents, and supporters that came out to set up, organize, and watch great racing. The organizing committee has done an outstanding job organizing and setting up the regatta at Spring Lake Yacht club, which was first held in 1995. The regatta is named after President Emeritus of Grand Valley State University, President Arend D. (Don) Lubbers.

It was great to have President Lubbers in attendance as the Men’s Varsity 8+ won his event – the “Don Lubbers Cup” – and the women won the “Nancy Lubbers Cup”. The Lakers have even more speed to gain in the weeks to come as they head into their regional and national championship regattas. One thing is certain, everyone will have their eyes set on Grand Valley to race, compete, and achieve.

The Laker Navy would like to thank all those who came out to make the 18th annual Lubbers Cup regatta a great success. One person in particular deserves a special thanks and that is Tyler Sellmer, facilities coordinator for Grand Valley rowing. Tyler has put countless hours organizing, transporting, and setting up the Lubbers cup race coarse and docks. Thanks Tyler and everyone who helped out.

Complete results from the 18th Annual Lubbers Cup Regatta can be found here. The Lakers next event will be the MACRA Championship regatta in Indianapolis, IN, which will be held on April 27, 2013. Check back here often for the latest news and results and as always – Keep Pulling for the Laker Navy.

The Grand Valley Lakers competed this past weekend in the Occuquan sprints and put their speed to the test. The Laker Navy traveled to Washington, D.C. and raced on the Occuquan river in Woodbridge, VA.

Lubbers cup regatta official website

We look forward to hosting you at the Occoquan Sprints on Sunday/April 7th. Your cooperation in following some important directives will go a long ways in making this a smooth/competitive regatta. PLEASE be certain to pass on the PARKING details to your followers…….as they have changed some.

SATURDAY/April 6th You may arrive in the park AFTER 5 PM only to rig and row. Park trailers in the left hand lot under the direction of the Sandy Run Rangers. On Saturday, row to the start in lanes “0″/”1″ and “2″ [cox's right] LEAVE LANES “3″ and “4″ open/unused at all times. Come down the course in the racing direction using lanes “5″/”6″ and “7″. The Park gate will be locked at 7:30 PM 4/6/13

PARKING/ALL vehicles with one or two people -$20, 3-6 people-$10, 7 or more people-$5. ALL COMPETITOR vehicles with 7 or more occupants park for free. ALL TOW VEHICLES and regatta volunteers [parking list] park for free. NOTE..there is no parking on the streets in the residential area surrounding the park.

SPEED LIMITS/Please observe all posted speed limits/cautions on the roads near the park. We try to be good neighbors to the homes adjacent to the park.

COX/COACHES MEETING/8:00 AM at the bottom of the driveway near the waters edge .

WEIGH-INS for M-LtWt 4+’s/ 10:30 AM at Boat House #2, 160 max-no averaging

RACE SHEET/adjustments to the schedule were made due to many scratches/changes. Review the new RACE SHEET carefully.

The RACE SHEET has been updated online:

http://www.rowingevent.com/OccoquanSprint13HeatDraft.pdf

NO ALCOHOL/DOGS/OPEN FLAMES/COXSWAIN TOSSING/SHIRTLESS ROWERS allowed in the park………LET your followers know ASAP !

MEDALS/1st place only for events that are a “final only event” , 1st and 2nd place for events with heats and finals[Grand Final only]. Medals will be awarded at the Regatta HQ near the main launch and return docks after results are posted.

RACING/Plan to launch 30-45 minutes before race time with your lane # attached to your bow clip. [provide your own lane #'s] The racecourse is fully buoyed. It is critical that crews remain w/i their assigned lanes [hull and oars]

SHUTTLES/will be available from satellite lots [free] and to the Grandstand area [$2 @ way/person, free for coaches]

FIRST AID/A Certified Athletic Trainer will be available for ALL guests/competitors from 10-4 opposite the Regatta HQ

Our hope is that every crew will have their best possible race experience on the Occoquan Reservoir. Your full cooperation with the USRA Referees/regatta staff/volunteers is much appreciated. Timing and results provided by Ronin, Parking and Food Concession by Westfield High School Crew Boosters, Shuttles-Reston Limousine, regatta support-Northern Virginia Park Authority staff, the Virginia Area Scholastic Rowing Assoc. “VASRA”River Rats” [course], and members of the GMU Crew Club, alumni, parents and friends.

Have a safe trip to and from the Occoquan Sprints.

Take Care,
Bob Spousta
Regatta Director for the GMU Crew Club

Rachel Ring 1991 – 2011

The Grand Valley Rowing Club welcomes a brand new Vespoli boat to their fleet named the “Rachel Ring 1991-2011”. The Vespoli four was donated by Rachel’s family as a gift to the team after Rachel’s passing in October of 2011. Rachel died in a tragic automobile accident on Interstate I-75 just weeks into her first semester at Grand Valley.

Rachel joined the novice women’s team in September of 2011 and immediately fit in with the energetic, athletic group of women. Described as “beautifully tall”, Rachel was the kind of athlete every coach wants on their team – always smiling and radiating a positive attitude to her teammates. Rachel spent many afternoon practices rowing three seat in a four where she pursued the perfect rowing stroke with her fellow boat mates.

The decision for her family to donate the new four will not only benefit the entire rowing program, but will also carry on Rachel’s memory for years to come.

Team athletes, coaches, and administrators will formally christen the new boat with Rachel’s family on the evening before the annual Lubbers Cup Regatta held at the Spring Lake Yacht Club.

Rachel Ring 2011-2012 Christening Program

“PULL FOR THE LAKER NAVY!” ]]> http://www.grandvalleyrowing.com/newsite/4176/feed 0 http://www.grandvalleyrowing.com/newsite/4166 http://www.grandvalleyrowing.com/newsite/4166#comments Tue, 02 Apr 2013 16:27:50 +0000 Administrator Costas http://www.grandvalleyrowing.com/newsite/?p=4166 more »]]>

Philadelphia, Pa., March 30, 2013 – Grand Valley State University’s rowing club was happy to welcome back Robert Deweerd this December, after a yearlong deployment to Bagram, Afghanistan. Although still a member of the Navy Reserves, he plans to spend the spring training with his college crew that he has been part of over the years. Deweerd will race with his team in the 75th annual Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta on May 10 and May 11.

The Holland, MI native joined the Navy after graduating from high school in 2007, but it would be years later that he was actually deployed. In order to save some money he first attended Grand Rapids Community College in 2008, and a year later transferred to Grand Valley State University. A high school basketball and soccer player, DeWeerd wanted to keep active in college.

“I wanted to get into some kind of extracurricular activity,” said Deweerd. “When I started I [didn't take the sport seriously and] joked, ‘Oh maybe I’ll try rowing or dodge ball.’ Then I went to the novice rowing meeting and I discovered it from there and kept showing up.”

The walk-on became a member of the novice program and went on to join the varsity team in his sophomore year. But it was only a few weeks before the 2011 Head of the Charles Regatta that DeWeerd called Grand Valley’s head coach, John Bancheri, and requested that they should have a serious talk at the coach’s home. The two met and Deweerd told him the Navy had called and he would be deployed to Afghanistan in a matter of weeks.

“I almost fell out of my chair,” said head rowing coach John Bancheri. “I told him I’ll support you in whatever you need but in the meantime you’re on the team, you’re in school, you’re training. Stay focused on what you’re doing for now until it’s time to leave then we’ll worry about it.’”

That year he continued his training and rowed three-seat in a boat that placed fifth overall in the Men’s Collegiate 8+ at the 2011 Charles. After the late October race Deweerd left the country in early December to take his overseas duty as a master-at-arms.

“It had an impact at first and it was a huge let down, but other guys rose to the occasion. We switched a guy from port to starboard and brought a novice guy up to make it work,” said Bancheri.

To Deweerd’s surprise, the base he was stationed had an ergometer. Excited for the opportunity, he told Coach Bancheri he wanted to keep up with the team and submit his scores throughout the season. The idea kept him going and when he had one week off in September 2012 to return home, Deweerd not only visited with his family, but also came to crew practice.

Finally on December 12, 2012, Deweerd returned home from deployment. Since then, he has continued pursuing his degree in Criminal Justice, and expects to graduate in the near future. He has one more year of NCAA eligibility left and is debating whether to stay on as a rower for an extra year or not.

Instagram username: aberdeendadvailregatta
Content Provided by Clara Lefton, Communications Director, Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta

]]> http://www.grandvalleyrowing.com/newsite/4166/feed 0 http://www.grandvalleyrowing.com/newsite/4162 http://www.grandvalleyrowing.com/newsite/4162#comments Mon, 01 Apr 2013 21:45:53 +0000 Administrator Costas http://www.grandvalleyrowing.com/newsite/?p=4162 more »]]>
Thank you for attending the Occoquan Sprints on Sunday April 7, 2013. For your planning, I want you to be aware that there is a very large scholastic regatta on Saturday April 6th [1700 + rowers] PLEASE plan to arrive at the park with trailers/rowers AFTER 5 PM on Saturday April 6th. Attempting to arrive earlier will create GRIDLOCK. This will still give plenty of time to rig/row.

Please make your followers aware that there will be a parking fee structure that encourages car/van pooling so as to make maximum use of the available parking within and around the park. There is NO PARKING on the residential streets around the immediate vicinity of the rowing venue.

Vehicles with one or two people-$20, 3-6 people-$10, 7 or more people-$5. ALL COMPETITOR vehicles with 7 or more is free. Your cooperation in encouraging car pooling amongst your group is much appreciated. The parking $ goes to the park and to cover the cost of shuttles/parking crew……not the race organizer.

PLEASE remind your supporters that DOGS are NOT ALLOWED in the park on regatta days.

IF you have changes to your original entries…..we need to know them ASAP to create an accurate Race Sheet. Scratches made after Thursday [4/4/13] at Noon will result in a $50 penalty/per scratch.

We look forward to having your crews compete on the Occoquan from Sandy Run Regional Park. We thank you for your help on the above items, especially the parking. The Occoquan is a great place to row/race, but is a “parking challenged” venue and likely to remain so. Have a great practice week and a safe trip.

Take Care,
Bob Spousta
Occoquan Sprints Director

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