FIELD TRIP TO UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON CREW FACILITIES
On April 28th, 31 members of SKSR visited the University of Washington Crew facilities. It was a beautiful day with buds popping out on the trees, and the lake as smooth as glass under the bright sun.
Most of us had read the book Boys in the Boat by Daniel Brown, which tells the story of the UW winning a gold medal for the USA in the 1936 Olympic Games in front of Adolph Hitler. We were looking forward to seeing the actual building that was their home, so we began there–the ASUW Shell House, located on the Montlake Cut. Built in 1905, the building was used as a Navy seaplane training hangar until 1920 when the crew team took it over. George Pocock built their shells in the attic. As we entered the cavernous wooden structure, we were met with several old shells as well as numerous pictures of early times in this building, including some of George Pocock at work. Many photographs, some being life-sized, of the “boys” hung around the large room. We took many pictures of Joe Rantz and his fellow teammates.
The building is under renovation at this time and, since it has been named an historical site, much care is being taken to keep the original feeling of this large wooden structure. The plan is to return it to what it looked like, with large doors that go out to the water and the Montlake Cut. As everyone who has read the book is hoping, there is a plan for a movie based on the book, but it is a few years from coming to the screen. The university is expecting many visitors to the area when the film does emerge; the plan is for the renovation of this structure to be finished by that time.
Following the visit to the ASUW Shell House, we walked around Husky Stadium and along Lake Washington to our next facility–the Conibear Shell House. The crew facilities were moved from the Cut in 1949 to the present site, which was remodeled and reopened in 2005. This is a beautiful building with glass and light coming in and shining off the many trophies from the Husky program. Hanging from the ceiling is the Husky Clipper, the shell the “boys” used in the 1936 Olympics to win the gold medal for the University of Washington.
We proceeded through the women’s crew area, to the workout room with many sliding rowing machines used for practice, and then down to the lake and the storage of the present-day shells. We could picture the excitement as shells are placed in the water before a race. As we walked back to the parking lot, we were able to continue to enjoy the day, having learned much of the history of this premier rowing program.
On April 28th, 31 members of SKSR visited the University of Washington Crew facilities. It was a beautiful day with buds popping out on the trees, and the lake as smooth as glass under the bright sun.
Most of us had read the book Boys in the Boat by Daniel Brown, which tells the story of the UW winning a gold medal for the USA in the 1936 Olympic Games in front of Adolph Hitler. We were looking forward to seeing the actual building that was their home, so we began there–the ASUW Shell House, located on the Montlake Cut. Built in 1905, the building was used as a Navy seaplane training hangar until 1920 when the crew team took it over. George Pocock built their shells in the attic. As we entered the cavernous wooden structure, we were met with several old shells as well as numerous pictures of early times in this building, including some of George Pocock at work. Many photographs, some being life-sized, of the “boys” hung around the large room. We took many pictures of Joe Rantz and his fellow teammates.
The building is under renovation at this time and, since it has been named an historical site, much care is being taken to keep the original feeling of this large wooden structure. The plan is to return it to what it looked like, with large doors that go out to the water and the Montlake Cut. As everyone who has read the book is hoping, there is a plan for a movie based on the book, but it is a few years from coming to the screen. The university is expecting many visitors to the area when the film does emerge; the plan is for the renovation of this structure to be finished by that time.
Following the visit to the ASUW Shell House, we walked around Husky Stadium and along Lake Washington to our next facility–the Conibear Shell House. The crew facilities were moved from the Cut in 1949 to the present site, which was remodeled and reopened in 2005. This is a beautiful building with glass and light coming in and shining off the many trophies from the Husky program. Hanging from the ceiling is the Husky Clipper, the shell the “boys” used in the 1936 Olympics to win the gold medal for the University of Washington.
We proceeded through the women’s crew area, to the workout room with many sliding rowing machines used for practice, and then down to the lake and the storage of the present-day shells. We could picture the excitement as shells are placed in the water before a race. As we walked back to the parking lot, we were able to continue to enjoy the day, having learned much of the history of this premier rowing program.