— by Cara Russell —
Have you seen a group of teenagers camping out side of Island Market lately? The Orcas Island Rowing Club (OIR) junior team set up camp from noon to noon on Friday, March 28th and 29th, for their annual Spring 24 hour erg relay outside Island Market.
The 20 members on the junior team, along with their coaches, each take 30 minute increment turns on two rowing machines for 24 hours straight. “That’s about three 30 minute turns each,” said team member Ray Doss. “And the public is welcome to take shifts as well, and they sometimes do.”
The team set up a table with pictures and information about the nonprofit organization. “Boat regulations have changed, and currently OIR only owns one regulation-approved Quad,” said Doss “we are currently working on raising the funds to buy new regulation Quads (four rowers, each with two oars) needed for regattas, but we are also raising funds for the Oso mudslide victims.
The event can be rather brutal for the young rowers, as thirty minutes of rowing can feel like an eternity, so the team found ways to motivate each other, and help distract from the time. Team member Devon Mann sat in her sleeping bag and read Steinbeck out loud to rower Melanie Flint, as she neared the end of her 30 minutes.
If you would like to donate or learn more about OIR visit online.
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Orcas Island Rowing Association – http://www.orcasislandrowing.org