The Serra Crew team headed up to Dexter Lake, Oregon for the Covered Bridge Regatta over the weekend. Thirty-six athletes tested their mental fortitude as they faced the competition and the elements. After a long bus ride, rigging and setting up camp, the team was ready for dinner and boat meetings in preparation for the first day of racing.

Conditions were spectacular throughout the day on Saturday. The team raced eight boats with honorable mentions going to the JV 4-2nd place and Novice 4- 2nd place. Everything changed on Sunday, when a cold storm front rolled through. Racing continued throughout the day as six boats of athletes and parents endured the frigid conditions. The Novice 8 pushed hard to sweep the competition. Twenty-four seconds ahead of other boats by open water; they took first of 5 crews. The JV 8 consisting of some novice and varsity locked in a solid third place finish as well.

The momentum continued to pick up as this young crew developed the skills and mindset necessary for future success. On Sunday, The fog was thick as the Serra Crew team arrived early morning at the course for Scholastic Championships, a regional qualifying regatta for Scholastic Nationals in Tennessee. Boats racing would break through a wall of fog and emerge just for a glimpse of the final sprint through the finish line. The team fleeted 9 boats- Two Jr 8+, two Frosh 8+, three Jr 4+, one 2x and one 1x. 

The Jr 8+ just missed the podium, placing fourth of seven boats. Fighting hard after a mid race collision, the Frosh 8+ worked their way back and procured a second place finish out of six boats. Athletes in the Jr 2x had a quick rest after the 8+ race just to hit the water again to take a third place finish. Team manager Navarre Shaikh, one of three seniors on the team, stepped up and raced twice, just missing podium in the Varsity 1x event.

Finishing off the day strong, all three Jr 4+ boats had great results. The Jr 4+ C boat surprised themselves and found what it takes to place first of five boats, seven seconds ahead of the competition. Suspense loomed as the A and B Jr 4 + boats in the next heat came blasting down the course. Boats were in a tight grouping as they came into visual line of sight with the Serra B and A boats leading the pack fighting for 1st. The A boat stepped up and found their speed through the sprint locking in a 1st place finish of 8 boats. The B boats secured the podium and placed third.