Rowing Shells – Elite Old-Timers and Today’s Best Eights
Concord, NH and New London, CT
In the past 10 days I have been privileged to witness races using both classic and the most- ultra modern rowing shells. I have also had a chance to see buffed 20 somethings in top condition as well as my 65+ year old peers continuing their rowing for the gold!
A hiking injury prevented me from rowing #6 for the Shattuck crew at our St. Paul’s School (Concord, NH) Reunion last weekend. Instead, I was fortunate to photograph both our Shattuck and as well as the Halcyon crews in, reportedly, the first time that two fully matched, classic boats raced 500 meters for a 50th reunion sprint.
While I took the S.P.S. photos with no pre-thought of writing this comparative blog article, Sunday my wife and I had a chance to watch the Second and First Varsity Yale and Harvard crews begin races (3 mile and 4 mile) in their sleek shells on the Thames River at The U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT. Before the final race I was able to admire and photograph the varsity Y and H boats.
My photos here are provided to show two beautifully matched 1972 Pocock wooden shells – best in the world for racing teams “in our day”- and the very latest of German Company Empacher’s shells used by both Yale and Harvard after Harvard introduced them with great success a few years ago. These images are primarily of the shells and oars but please also enjoy a few images of young as well as slightly older (!) rowers out doing what gets into our blood and never leaves. My blue team, the S.P.S. Shattucks, was trounced; but my other blue team (Yale) performed beautifully and successfully, setting a new up-stream record! On to Henley for these crews, and back to the Concept 2 ergometer for me for the next 5 years, preparing for 2020!
Peter Otis
Peter Otis Photos, LLC
PLACES… Plants… PEOPLE… PLUS OTHER GEMS
Please enjoy the additional slideshow images from both race days.
- 1972 Pocock Shell at St. Paul’s Scool
- Turkey Pond, Concord, NH
- Thames River, New London, CT
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