All rowers should proceed with caution as they approach the 2000 m start line, as the "starting platforms" used in the recent regattas remain in place.  There are warning buoys in place on the up-river, but not on the down-river travel lanes. As with all fixed on-water hazards (e.g. anchored boats) be extra vigilant under conditions of poor visibility. 

Follow this link  USCGA About Boating Safety for info.  Contact Joe Lafreniere to sign up.  Limit 20, and if you have a friend/family member there may be room for them to participate as well.

Masters Sculling: Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning from 5:30 - 7am. Limit 8. Contact Linas Alinskas ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ). PROGRAM DESCRIPTION. : Program start May 1st (Wed).  Coached by Jack Frackleton until May 20th, when Colleen Irby will coach.  Cost is $175/6 weeks. This is in addition to base membership ($125) and Logbook Sculling ($250)

See the links on the left (PROGRAMS AND FEES) for Masters Sweep, Learn to Sweep, Learn to Scull and Junior Sweep Camp.

Plus our competitive Open Sweep is also looking for serious sweep rowers.

Any questions: email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

FULL: Advanced Sculling: Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30 - 7am. Limit 6. contact Karen Scammell to sign up.  Coached by Jack Frackleton. 

Colleen Irby of Andover, MA, was a Division I rower at the University of Texas for four years. Coached by Carie Graves, she helped the Longhorns win Big XII Conference Championships in 2009 and 2010. In 2008, she attended a U-23 Development in Boston and competed in a double. Last year, Colleen was a volunteer coach at MIT, assisting the open-weight women. She was chosen for the Joy of Sculling Apprenticeship program, which allowed her mentorship opportunities with Volker Nolte, Al Morrow, and others this winter. Currently, Colleen is the Varsity Assistant Coach at Smith College, where she is pursuing a Master’s degree in Exercise and Sport Studies.  

               Jack    

Jack Frackleton began rowing at UMass Amherst, where he sat in stroke seat of the heavyweight eight all four years. In his sophomore through senior years, he led his crews to a JV gold medal (1979), a varsity gold medal (1980), and a varsity bronze (1981) at the Dad Vail Regatta in Philadelphia, PA.

After graduation, Jack switched from sweep rowing to sculling. In 1982, he made the National Rowing Team for the first time (in the quadruple sculls), and subsequently made the team three more times throughout the 1980s, finishing off his racing career sitting in two-seat of the quad at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea.

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Starting this year, the MRRA Logbook has gone paperless.  When you arrive at the boathouse to row, look for the magic electric box otherwise known as the laptop computer at the MRRA desk. Login, choose your boat and your crew, and go row.  When you return from your row, login and close out your rowing event.   It's fast and easy, and just like those commercials with the cute kids, Faster is Better.

The new Logbook means better data quality for the Equipment Committee,  the ability to make boat reservations away from the boathouse, and a consolidated view of everyone on the water on one simple screen.  Best of all, we no longer need to try and read your handwriting.

The Logbook is permanently located here:  http://logbook.merrimackrowing.org

TRY IT OUT:  Up until Tuesday night at the next MRRA meeting, the Logbook is in a test mode that lets you login and row a boat from anywhere, or make a reservation.  Certain features are limited for now, but please feel free to give it a try;  we'll clear out the test data sometime next week.

Learn more about the MRRA Logbook by clicking on "MRRA Logbook How-To" in the Members Menu.   You must be logged into the website to access the articles.

Please plan to attend the April meeting.    Safety video will be shown around 6:20pm.  Meeting starts at 7pm.  Primary agenda item is to approve the budget for 2013.  See the presentation under the March meeting minutes and be prepared, since this will not be reveiwed again.   Other items as needed. 

We hope to show the safety video beforehand at 6:30 - stay tuned for confirmation of that. 

Location for this meeting only: Innovation Academy Charter School

72 Tyng Road, Tyngsboro (off Rte 3A, road along river on Chelmsford side).  Upriver from rocks and downriver from 3rd power lines.  Go to Middle School lobby and look for sign directing us to a room.

Agenda will include:

* Merrimack River Watershed - request for additional support; overview of their activities

*  Committee updates - Membership/Programs , Equipment, Safety

* other agenda items as required

The Merrimac River Rowing Association is offering two (2) $250 scholarships to class of 2013 graduating high school seniors who have supported and/or participated in rowing programs at the Bellegarde Boathouse. The scholarship award also includes a fee waived summer student membership in the MRRA for the upcoming season.

Download the PDF for more information and a copy of the Application.