Head of the Lagoon in Foster City is the closest and most well-attended race for BIAC athletes. On Nov. 13, BIAC was represented in 13 events including 1x, 2x, 4+, 4x, and 8+ by both men's and women's crews. Top finishers included (full results here):

• First Place: Men's Masters 4+
• First Place: Men's Masters 2x (composite with RCRC)
• Second Place: Men's Masters 2x
• Third Place: Men'a Masters 8+
• Third Place: Men's Masters 4x
• And though technically competing for Twin Donut not BIAC, husband and wife duo, Greg Klingsporn and Janet Bellantoni, finished 1st and 2nd respectively in their singles races

Thank you to everyone who voted in our recent club election, an essential requirement in our club governance. Last month we re-elected our Board of Directors: Jon Carlson, Janet Bellantoni, Athena Bradley, Wallace Murfit and Tracy Wilk. New board positions (president, treasurer, secretary) will be determined soon. Thank you to all our Directors, and especially to Athena, Wallace and Tracy, who will serve second terms.

The new year is around the corner and it’s time to begin planning for 2022. To ensure another successful year of classes and camps, we will hire rowing and paddling coaches/instructors at all levels to work with both adults and youth. Many of these part-time opportunities are fantastic roles for high school seniors, those in college on break, or others with flexible schedules looking to share their love of watersports. We can provide training assistance. For further information and to express interest, please contact Operations Director, Chris Flynn.

Record-setting Annual Meeting

Seventy five members came to this year's Annual Meeting on November 21. In these crazy times, we really value being together at our club! President Jon Carlson gave an overview of club progress, membership and financials, and Operations Director Chris Flynn shared a year-in-review of the record-number of programs we offered in 2020-2021. Click here to access the slides presented.

Perhaps tacos and drinks enhanced turnout! BIAC Social Coordinator Renata Perry, along with other volunteers, organized a tasty and festive get-together post-meeting. It was nice to see everyone on dry land!

Two-Time Olympian and BIAC Member Aisha Chow Talks Tokyo

After the annual meeting, Aisha shared her path to the Olympics. Aisha raced the W1x in both Rio (22nd place) and Tokyo (19th place.) She recounted her early days rowing with the Comp Team at BIAC, followed by focusing on the single and her increasingly intense workout schedule as she pursued elite rowing. She built up to 24 hours per week!

Perhaps the most insightful and introspective moments of Aisha's talk were her discussion of the gremlins that kept her from achieving desired race results. Aisha learned from coaches and other elite athletes that, in order to protect the ego from risk of failure, sometimes we undermine ourselves to provide an excuse for a poor result. Leading up to Tokyo, Aisha was able to address her gremlins; she won two races in Tokyo and improved her placement from the last Olympiad. Go, Aisha!

Ferrari Property Proposed Development

[Written by Wallace Murfit, BIAC member and board member] Some of you may have read newspaper articles a few months ago about a proposed development of the Ferrari property across the creek from BIAC. My partner and I had a contract to purchase the property, but our efforts have failed. The US Army Corps of Engineers and the California Regional Water Control Board both rejected our application. Our proposed project was consistent with Redwood City's General Plan, and we had support from regional housing advocates. However, the Federal and State agencies were not persuaded by the local planning ordinance nor the need for more housing. My partner and I have terminated our purchase contract with the property owners.

The Hudson Super Predator Openweight 2x and Hudson Super Predator Light/midweight 4x have arrived! They are both currently located in the South Lot. and are available for use. If you have any questions on the gearing or use of the new boats, please contact Ops Director Chris.

BIAC recently purchased 8 sets of new sculling blades. To the observer these blades are significantly shorter and wider than most of our other sculling blades. This design is the Comp blade and Concept 2 released them in early 2020. Concept 2 claims that these new blades combine the best elements of their existing blade designs to create a lightweight, efficient, and stable blade. The Comp blade has a solid lock in the water at the catch with a dynamic acceleration into an easier release of water at the finish. Concept 2 research also claims that blade width and the Vortex Edge are the two most important blade features that contribute to boat speed and the Comp blade combines these features to give the rower a very stable feel on the drive that contributes to confidence when applying power to generate boat speed. Give them a try.

We are organizing our main oar closet and updating the rack labeling. Along with this process, we are adjusting oar measurements (overall length and inboard) to conform to standardized averages that can be used by a broad selection of our members in a variety of boats.

Check out the tape color scheme on sculling oars along with the oar's measurements noted on the shaft. Green tape indicates a heavier load with a measurement of 288/88, Red tape indicates a medium load with a measurement of 287/88, and Yellow tape indicates a lighter load with a measurement of 285/88. Handle sizes vary across all color schemes. This organization process is ongoing. Under no circumstances should members adjust club oars without specific approval by Operations Director, Chris Flynn. For further information on oar measurements or recommended oar usage please contact Chris.

Cold Temps Limit Racing

It seems every other year or so the weather in Seattle is at odds with the Head of the Lake regatta (Nov. 7) , and 2021 was one of those years. Facing cold temperatures combined with wind, race organizers made the call to cancel all small boats and shorten the course from 5k to ~3.2k. Unfortunately, this meant some of BIAC's athletes didn't get to race. The Women's 8+ did compete and enjoyed the support of other BIAC athletes who ended up with a rowing vacation.

Hunting Season

You may have sen hunters on the water recently, or you maybe not since they're often in disguise! (see photo) Here's a link to the CA Fish & Wildlife page about Bair Island. We share the waters around Bair Island with many other users and it's important to be on the lookout and aware. Remember to wear bright colors so you're more easily seen and never row in headphones. You should be able to hear your surroundings.