Drexel University Athletics
Men's Eight Blogs from 2012 Henley Royal Regatta
June 21, 2012 - Blog #1
We arrived in England early on the morning of the twenty first. At first glance, not much was different than at home, however, very quickly we began to notice little things in the airport. It was little things that you wouldn't expect to be different or that you couldn't imagine ever making different, but it just was. Once we stepped outside, everything changed. Cars driving on the wrong side of the road, people driving from the passenger seats, street signs I've never seen before, and beautiful countryside full of rolling hills and sheep. We arrived in a small very old world town called "Henley on the Thames". It felt like we all just stepped back in time 100 years. After practice yesterday, there was not much time for anything else, but to just wonder around and explore the little town.
- John Pieper
June 23, 2012 - Blog #2
It was our 1st day here since we arrived and we all needed time to adjust to the time zone. John and I had 2nd practice in the new "Empacher" boat yesterday in the morning. It felt ok, but later that day (head) wind started to blow very strong. Our race was at 6:30pm. We raced in an open event and there were older competitors than us. Unfortunately, we didn't qualify. We are not experienced crew, especially John who spend a week in sculling. So we couldn't do anything better than that in those conditions. We are about to leave for Reading, because we have race at 2pm. The eight will race at 4pm and 6:30pm. That's it for now.
- Aleksandar Radovic
June 24, 2012 - Blog #3
England thus far has been great. From exploring Henley, to rowing down the Thames, every experience has been new and exciting. I really enjoyed the 15 mile row from Henley to Reading, because I was really able to get a feel for the English country side and see some really beautiful houses. Every day that we are here, more and more people arrive to town. I'm really excited to see the event at full swing and to compete in a regatta that I have been hearing about since the first day I began rowing.
-Sebastian Ryan
June 25, 2012 - Blog # 4
I woke up, had croissants and bread with jam. We soon ventured out of our cottage into a crisp sunny day that felt more like early spring. As we neared the race course, the paparazzi began taking pictures of us, drinking in our beauty in our GREAT yellow jackets and tank tops. I may have mixed this event for something else. Anyway, we went out and practiced, doing starts and pieces, and by the second run of the course we were caught by frigid torrential rain. That was great. Then, the sun came out. I was wearing my drexel uni, it was a moment of pride for me to wear our drexel things and represent our school on the river. Once we returned, we had lunch-a couple slices of domino's english countryside special. Subsequently, a read my stephen King novel, and walked out to explore the town with kurt linton. We did things of no particular interest to the reader (bought a suitcase lock). Once we got back, we had a second practice. Rowing comprised of ------------------------------------ (censored: team secrets). Kurt, Randall Lee, and I decided to skip on the house dinner stylings to experiment with the local indian food. It was great. From then, we went straight to the local establishment to watch the England v Italy soccer game. We scurried out after Italy won, with some semi-subdued cheers.Then, I bought banana-flavored milk, had some cake and went to sleep.
- Lorenzo Albala
June 26, 2012 - Blog #5
England is quite different than the US, as each day we experience a new culture shock. I feel that we will all return to the US with accents and as fans of Wayne Rooney. The guys are hungry animals and seem to eat everything in sight. Mallgrave starts to look at me with hungry eyes if dinner is not served on time.
Rowing-wise, the boat picks up speed everyday. Each day, we find random teams on the river to do short pieces. Today, we added Michigan (2011 and 2012 Dad Vail winners) to that long list of crews fallen to the Dragons. Being at the prestigious regatta has given us the opportunity to see elite crews such as the Australian and New Zealand National teams. Tomorrow, we face Harvard lightweights at 11:05 AM. For the seniors, Will and I, we hope to fight until we reach the finals on Sunday. I know our crew will not let tomorrow be the conclusion of my time as a Dragon of Drexel Crew.
- Randall Lee
We arrived in England early on the morning of the twenty first. At first glance, not much was different than at home, however, very quickly we began to notice little things in the airport. It was little things that you wouldn't expect to be different or that you couldn't imagine ever making different, but it just was. Once we stepped outside, everything changed. Cars driving on the wrong side of the road, people driving from the passenger seats, street signs I've never seen before, and beautiful countryside full of rolling hills and sheep. We arrived in a small very old world town called "Henley on the Thames". It felt like we all just stepped back in time 100 years. After practice yesterday, there was not much time for anything else, but to just wonder around and explore the little town.
- John Pieper
June 23, 2012 - Blog #2
It was our 1st day here since we arrived and we all needed time to adjust to the time zone. John and I had 2nd practice in the new "Empacher" boat yesterday in the morning. It felt ok, but later that day (head) wind started to blow very strong. Our race was at 6:30pm. We raced in an open event and there were older competitors than us. Unfortunately, we didn't qualify. We are not experienced crew, especially John who spend a week in sculling. So we couldn't do anything better than that in those conditions. We are about to leave for Reading, because we have race at 2pm. The eight will race at 4pm and 6:30pm. That's it for now.
- Aleksandar Radovic
June 24, 2012 - Blog #3
England thus far has been great. From exploring Henley, to rowing down the Thames, every experience has been new and exciting. I really enjoyed the 15 mile row from Henley to Reading, because I was really able to get a feel for the English country side and see some really beautiful houses. Every day that we are here, more and more people arrive to town. I'm really excited to see the event at full swing and to compete in a regatta that I have been hearing about since the first day I began rowing.
-Sebastian Ryan
June 25, 2012 - Blog # 4
I woke up, had croissants and bread with jam. We soon ventured out of our cottage into a crisp sunny day that felt more like early spring. As we neared the race course, the paparazzi began taking pictures of us, drinking in our beauty in our GREAT yellow jackets and tank tops. I may have mixed this event for something else. Anyway, we went out and practiced, doing starts and pieces, and by the second run of the course we were caught by frigid torrential rain. That was great. Then, the sun came out. I was wearing my drexel uni, it was a moment of pride for me to wear our drexel things and represent our school on the river. Once we returned, we had lunch-a couple slices of domino's english countryside special. Subsequently, a read my stephen King novel, and walked out to explore the town with kurt linton. We did things of no particular interest to the reader (bought a suitcase lock). Once we got back, we had a second practice. Rowing comprised of ------------------------------------ (censored: team secrets). Kurt, Randall Lee, and I decided to skip on the house dinner stylings to experiment with the local indian food. It was great. From then, we went straight to the local establishment to watch the England v Italy soccer game. We scurried out after Italy won, with some semi-subdued cheers.Then, I bought banana-flavored milk, had some cake and went to sleep.
- Lorenzo Albala
June 26, 2012 - Blog #5
England is quite different than the US, as each day we experience a new culture shock. I feel that we will all return to the US with accents and as fans of Wayne Rooney. The guys are hungry animals and seem to eat everything in sight. Mallgrave starts to look at me with hungry eyes if dinner is not served on time.
Rowing-wise, the boat picks up speed everyday. Each day, we find random teams on the river to do short pieces. Today, we added Michigan (2011 and 2012 Dad Vail winners) to that long list of crews fallen to the Dragons. Being at the prestigious regatta has given us the opportunity to see elite crews such as the Australian and New Zealand National teams. Tomorrow, we face Harvard lightweights at 11:05 AM. For the seniors, Will and I, we hope to fight until we reach the finals on Sunday. I know our crew will not let tomorrow be the conclusion of my time as a Dragon of Drexel Crew.
- Randall Lee