Spring will be a busy and fun time for ORU junior and senior rowers. Following is ORU's Spring schedule:

• March 1st: Season practices begin - 4 to 6 p.m. at ORU facility in Oaks Park.
• March 10th: Spring Spaghetti feed and get acquainted dinner.
• March 27: Vancouver Lake Duel (or dual) with Vancouver Lake Rowing Club.
• April 1st: San Diego Crew Classic - the best from the nation will be attending this traditional season-opening race. No ORU crews attending.
• April 10th: Covered Bridge Regatta - Eugene, OR. The largest regatta in the Pacific Northwest on a beautiful course.
• April 17th: Oaks Park Sprints.
• April 24th: Bi0city Championships.
• May 14-16th: NW Junior Regionals - Vancouver Lake, Vancouver, WA.
• May 19th: ORU Awards Banquet.

Every Saturday at 7:30 a.m. - Workouts and practice races.

Perfect Day On River for ORU's Octuple

By Karen Tobin and Ginny Anderson

What has 16 oars, is 60-feet long, and has an age span of 50 years? If you were on the Willamette River between Oaks Park and the Willamette Falls at Oregon City recently, you would know. Members of Oregon Rowing Unlimited (ORU), ages 14 to 64, rowed the club's octuple 19 miles in synchroization. Judi Emblen, the coxswain who guided the boat, said, "It was a perfect day from beginning to end."

Duplicating European rowing excursions, ORU offers longer rows on various waterways as an alternative to competitive rowing. The "Wandertours" of summer 2007 and 2008, were multiple day trips down the Columbia River. Campfires, great food, and beautiful sunsets were some of the many bonuses to these adventurous journeys.

ORU club members row for fun while working hard to master technique. Camaraderie is built when rowing as one: male and female, all ages together. Frank Zagunis, director of ORU, emphasizes the Zen quality of rowing. To balance that, Coach Kristy strives to help all rowers improve their performance.

Photos from this year's excursion up to Willamette Falls have been posted to our online gallery.