OBRC Winter Newsletter
Olden Bears Rowing Club
Olden Bears WINTER NEWSLETTER
Olden Bears Rowing Club has filled a gaping hole in our Cal Crew experience by providing ongoing racing opportunities, a vibrant community, and a way to support the university program that shaped us. As our club grows, we have formalized our organization and established the following goals:
- Promoting amateur rowing and physical fitness
- Fielding competitive crews in national and international events
- Providing education on rowing technique and athletic development
- Building an inclusive rowing community open to all participants
- Supporting rowing programs through charitable fundraising
- Advancing the sport of rowing without private benefit to individuals
We are pleased to introduce your new Board of Directors:
- Co-Presidents: Ken Creighton ('93) and Keely Commins Harty ('96)
- Treasurer: Arthur Ware ('94)
- Secretary: David Sides ('92)
- Vice Presidents: Teresa Oja Guthrie ('04), Mark Nelson ('92), and Matt Knutsen (‘94)
Upcoming Events
January 26 – February 1: 4702 Winter Erg Challenge (Virtual) $15
This week is critical; if 10 to 20 members compete, we enter a drawing for extra Head of the Charles entries. We are currently TWO people short of our 20 person goal. Please register on RegattaCentral (https://www.regattacentral.com/regatta/?job_id=10099) nad be sure to use your OlBRC affiliation. Use this as a benchmark to track your fitness. We are Olden Bears now, and our PR‘s are most likely behind us. If you want to be in our most competitive boats then give us a fast time, yet we strive to get all Olden Bears racing!
February 1 at 8:30 AM: Erg Party
Edwards Stadium Erg Room, Berkeley, CA
Join us to complete the 4702 challenge together at Edwards Stadium (Oxford at Allston). Thank you to VP Teresa Oja Guthrie and Liz Miles for securing the space. Coffee and pastries will follow.
February 8 at 9:00 AM: Erg Clinic
Jack London Aquatic Center, Oakland, CA
East Bay Rowing Club is hosting a clinic with former Cal Crew Coach Sarah Nevin. The focus will be on improving water technique, connection, and length. Contact Keely or Pauline for details.
March 27–29: San Diego Crew Classic
Mission Bay, San Diego, CA
We are fielding 9 lineups in 7 events for a total of 12 races with 41 athletes (26 women and 15 men). We look forward to defending our Club Mixed 8+ title. Look for us in the Mixed 8s, Women’s C, E, and F events, Men’s E and F events, and the Director’s Challenge Men’s Quad. We are very happy to see younger Olden Bears join in on the fun!!
Spring 2026: Local Practices & Socials
For Bay Area residents, we are holding boat practices at the Estuary and gathering for social events like hikes. Please check the SDCC spreadsheet to sign up for rows as a spare. We welcome everyone to join our outings even if you aren't racing on a space available basis. Look at our Olden Bears What’s App group to stay up to date!
Future Races
Start making travel plans and sign up NOW on the club spreadsheets in the WhatsApp chat for:
- July 10–12: Henley Masters Regatta (Henley, UK)
- September 9–13: World Rowing Masters Regatta (Bled, Slovenia)
- October 16–18: Head of the Charles (Boston, USA)
Volunteer Opportunities & Dues
We are seeking volunteers to assist with social media and event planning. Additionally, we are requesting an annual membership contribution (a suggested minimum $50, but pay more or less as you can) this calendar year to help with USRowing registration fees, and to ensure the club has funds for events and administrative needs. No contribution is expected from alumni who attend social events and/or workouts, but all donations are greatly appreciated. We are accepting donations with Paypal for now @oldenBearsRC but other options will be available soon.
Website & Gear
Visit our website for OBRC swag. Race gear orders for San Diego Crew Classic will be placed soon; stay tuned for ordering instructions.
2025 Recap
Last year saw continued growth for OBRC with participation in seven major races, including:
- San Diego Crew Classic: Winners of the Club Mixed 8+ Cup.
- Boats without Barriers: Victories in the Mixed Pair and Women’s 50s 4+.
- Henley Masters 2025 in the UK
- World Rowing Masters Championships in Banyoles, Spain
- Head of the Port: Crucial preparation for HOCR.
- Head of the Charles: Secured guaranteed entries for the Women’s 50s 4+ (finishing 7th from 32nd position) and the Men’s 50s 8+.
We look forward to an exciting year of racing!
Go Olden Bears!
xo Keely Harty
OBRC
OBRC, 34 Valley Rd #416, Montclair, United States
Olden Bears In Boston
OBRC enter a record 6 boats at the 60th anniversary of the Head of the Charles this October. Finish with 3 guaranteed entries, our first top 7 finish, and our first Alumni crew.
Olden Bears win at San Diego Crew Classic
The Olden Bears Rowing Club fielded 5 boats at the San Diego Crew Classic in April of this year taking home an impressive win in a very crowded field in the Mixed Club 8+.
Next Race will be in May in Oakland and we are already putting together lineups for our Head of the Charles crews.
This is an important year for Cal Rowing with the women’s team celebrating a 50 year anniversary and the University recognizing 150 years of rowing at Cal this year as well!
Reach out today on the contact form if you are fit and want to participate at the upcoming masters races in Boston, England, or Spain!
OBRC planning for Masters Worlds in Banyoles Spain
OBRC is working on fielding lineups for Banyoles Spain World Masters Championships in September 2025. Stay tunes for boatings and lineups! OBRC Members interested in competing please contact us.
Olden Bears Competing at Henley
It all begins with an idea.
Congratulations to all the Olden Bears competing this week at Henley. We have associated rowers competing for their national squads in the Grand Challenge cup and OBRC spectators cheering them on.
2024 HOCR Lineups
It all begins with an idea.
2024 brings 6 full eights competing in the lottery for spots in Mens, Women’s, and Alumni events at the Head of the Charles. Competition for seats was hard and for the first time we have had to turn away some quality rowers who we hope to get into boats next year.
2 Eights to Compete at HOCR 2023
It all begins with an idea.
September 6, 2023 - We are excited to announce that the Olden Bears Rowing Club (OBRC) will be back in Boston for the 2023 Head of the Charles on October 20-22.
We will be racing Saturday, October 21 in two events.
Event 15 Men's Senior Master Eights [50+] at 9:08 AM
AND ALSO
Event 29 Men's Master Eights [40+] at 12:24 PM