A Final Farewell from the Henley Royal Regatta

By Dr. Eric Zillmer

Henley-on-Thames, England, is the world's undisputed "Holy Grail" of rowing.

The Henley Regatta was first held in 1839, but in 2016 it fielded its largest number of entries yet. Over 630 teams from 27 countries competed, including the Drexel Dragons. This was the third time the Drexel men's crew made the trip (1972 and 2012), but a win in the knockout race had eluded the Dragons in this tough international competition. The Drexel women's crew, which has competed at Henley in 2005, 2010 and 2014, has fared better, having won the elite race for the Sports Council Cup in 2010. Coming off a fourth consecutive overall team title at the Dad Vail Regatta in May, would the third time at Henley be the charm for the men's team?

No other race is quite like the Henley Royal Regatta. One-on-one racing against the current and the prevailing wind, the race is 2,300 meters in length and over a grueling minute longer than the Dad Vail course on the Schuylkill. Like a bobsled run, it is a straight chute down the River Thames into the heart of the quaint town of Henley-on-Thames. Races are held two boats at a time – one against the other – with floating wooden beams enclosing the course. At the Henley Royal Regatta there is no second, no bronze medal, just knockout competition to find out the simple truth: who is the fastest?

You lose, you go home.

Drexel Rowing has come a long way since a Triangle article in January 1959 promised a "workout on the river" to "anyone, frosh or upper classman, who wants a sport which requires a lot of energy, stamina, and conditioning." In Philadelphia, Boathouse Row folklore is that Dr. Thomas "Doc" Kerr, Drexel's first coach, purchased an old eight-oar shell in 1958 needing much work and brought it to his backyard in East Falls where he restored it himself. Then, he had eight Boathouse Row clubs donate one oar apiece and presto, Drexel Rowing was born.

Today, Drexel Rowing is a high-tech business with Director of Rowing Paul Savell bringing the Dragons' own oars to Henley, but renting German Empacher shells from the University of London crew program. Drexel qualified an eight and a four for this year's competition. To get a feeling for the incredible pageantry and the international scope of Henley, watch here.

On June 29, the Drexel eight squared off with Ireland's fastest boat from University College, Dublin, which features eight national champions. Like a heavyweight boxing match, in one-on-one racing you have to come out strong at the start and deliver a knockout blow early. Once there is open water between the shells the race is all but over. The Dublin team was formidable and it was not until the 1,000-meter mark that the Dragons controlled the race. Exhilarated, the Dragons crossed the finish line as if they were flying on water, with the Dublin crew coming in behind them, beaten. The official verdict – Drexel by 2 1/4 lengths – marked the first time a Drexel men's boat won a race at Henley. It was a great moment for our Drexel Rowing program, a moment no one present will ever forget.

Not to be outdone by the Drexel eight, Drexel's four on Thursday closed in on the finish line with the University of Surrey crew beaten and not in the picture, completing the second win for Drexel. The four went on to lose to Oxford and the eight lost to Cal, both powerhouse international programs, but history had already been made.

And the Dragons looked good doing it. Drexel University's first lady, Cara Fry, designed the elegant and stylish Drexel Henley blazers. In addition to being an exemplary hostess who has helped her husband John Fry entertain VIPs at their home and on campus, Mrs. Fry has devoted herself to the Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection in Westphal College of Media Arts and Design. As a curatorial associate, Mrs. Fry has helped organize the holdings, prepare exhibitions, and coordinate public events. This role makes good use of Mrs. Fry's background, which includes a master's in art history from the City University of New York and volunteer service at several museums. The Henley blazers, which were made by Collier & Robinson located on-site in Henley-on-Thames, feature a blue-and-gold edging and the Drexel family crest. The Drexel crew was clearly the best-dressed at Henley and one could eavesdrop in the grandstand of the regatta and hear the Brits' astonishment: "The Americans are dressed very nicely this year!"

Henley is a great metaphor for international competition and pursuing excellence. It is where Drexel Rowing should be competing. It allows Drexel Athletics to imagine what is possible on a global canvas. Henley creates inspiration and a feeling of pride and accomplishment for Drexel University. Getting to Henley is a great achievement, both logistically and competitively, but winning at Henley is for the ages. I am so proud of how our teams have competed and represented our University with such great class.

I would be remiss if I did not mention that this past week the Drexel men's crew also had 17 rowers recognized on the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) All-Academic Team. Drexel's 17 members tied it with Yale University for the school with the most athletes honored. Drexel Rowing is getting it done on the water and in the classroom.

I want to thank all of the donors, friends and supporters who helped us reach this goal as well as the Drexel senior administration that continues to believe and support Drexel Athletics and Drexel Rowing. Thank you!

Dr. Eric Zillmer is the Director of Athletics and the Carl R. Pacifico Professor of Neuropsychology at Drexel University.

Drexel University Athletics

A Final Farewell from the Henley Royal Regatta

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