Arizona Jr. Championship Regatta

Yesterday I spent the morning at the Arizona Jr. Championships helping out on the dock. I took the opportunity to work on my photo taking skills. Of the 1024 pictures I snapped, I edited down to about 750 good photos. I wish I could put them all on the web as I think some of the individual pictures really gave you a feel for the enthusiasm and effort these high school rowers put into their sport. Most of them didn't know that I was taking pictures both close up and while they were rowing because I had my 300 mm lens allowing me to be close but far away.

The weather was a bit unusual with choppy water, wind and cold in the early races. It cleared off for a calm sunny afternoon. The later races definitely benefited from that. Although this was mostly an Arizona HS regatta there was a contingency of scullers from Connecticut that were having a week long camp on the lake. They competed in the regatta which is a nice way to finish out sculling camp.

So many of the pictures came out well that I will post a chunk more on a photo page elsewhere and add a link on a subsequent blog. I know the coaches will want these to pass around and I certainly will get those to them.

My only disclaimer is that these photos are scaled down for my blog. They are a bit more detailed in their full high resolution view. You can click on the images for a larger web view--which is still pretty scaled down.


Here's that enthusiasm I'm talking about. Rio Salado women's four leaving the dock to race.


The Varsity women's eight was the battle of the day. As well as the last race of the day. These boats were side by side until the very end when Rio Salado powered up for the win. I love this first picture as it's quite exiciting to look over and see the competition right next to you.


Here's a full view of this crew battle.


This shows what the single scullers had to contend with. The conditions were less than ideal for them but they showed their determination to get through it. This is one of the visiting Connecticut rowers. I think she was feeling more like she was in Conneticut than Arizona. I was out on the lake sculling last week when they were having camp so I'm glad they got to enjoy the flat water and sunshine the week of their camp.


Oh those regatta volunteers... they take their job VERY seriously. This is Rebecca and Alicia having a serious (seriously staged) photo at Regatta Central. I laugh everytime I look at this!