Chatham Area Rowing Association

-April 4, 2009 Gainesville, GA. CARA High School Mens 4 wins gold. New coxswain Matt Bouy led his four to a gold medal finish at the John Hunter Regatta held on Lake Lanier. The site of the 1996 Olympics, the day showed perfect weather for Bouy to push the team down the 2000 meter course. Six boats were in the second flight of the Novice Youth Mens 4 category.

St. Andrews "C" boat false started the first attempted race and the boats had to be brought back to the stakes. The second start was smooth and all crews shot off. The CARA men started off the line in third. Around the middle, our team's boat cadence held true, and CARA pulled out to clear second. A battle of will and technique between St. Andrews "B" boat and CARA in the last 700M. left our boat 1 boat length ahead at the finish. "It was a great race to watch. You could see the team rowing smart, keeping calm, and working through the lessons of practice." Said Coach Nohejl. The Novice High School Mens 4 finished with not only a winning time of their flight, but of the first flight as well. In all, CARA finished 1st of 12. In attendance at the race was Matt's father Mark Bouy. "I am glad I got to be part of it."

Also racing this weekend was our newly formed College Men's 4. Because the team is small, a decision was made to race the boat exhibition with one High School member to fill the ranks. Exhibition meant the CARA College team could race, but the result could not go toward a medal or points trophy. Regardless, the boat pulled strong and finished a respectable 4th of 6 in their flight. "We wanted to quantify the efforts being put in by this portion of our CARA program.  This event was a nice mental target. When your in a cold boathouse all winter, this race is a celebration, no matter the medal outcome." Said Nohejl.

CARA Crews race next in Thunderbolt, GA for our 1st FAMILY DAY REGATTA on APRIL 18.  

-March 14, 2009 Aiken , SC. The Chatham Area Rowing Association  made its first Sprint appearance at  The 2009 Augusta Invitational Regatta held on Langley Pond in Aiken, South Carolina. Preparing since  February,  the Titans brought only the High School portion of the  CARA team  to  one of our premier low country region events.  The CARA High School Novice Girls 8 brought home a Gold medal finish against the  Raptor Crew based out of Charleston. Because the event category only had two crews, Coach Nohejl decided to enter the Novice into the Varsity category later in the day. Beating their previous time of the day and placing 5th out of 6 crews, the CARA Titans came home with both Gold and experience. " I am confident from this race that we are on the right track with our CARA High School program." Said Coach Scott Nohejl. "Not only because of our Gold medal, but because the team worked together, held their wits about them, and most of all, had fun."

Here come the Titans.

-November 8, 2008 Augusta, GA. The Chatham Area Rowing Association made it known, that in regards to southern rowing, the Titans are the new kid in town. CARA came to Augusta with seven boats entered into race categories at the fall event known as The Head of the South Regatta or simply, "HOTS" Regatta. The annual race is held on the upper Savannah River.

Over 50 CARA High School, College, and League members all contributed their efforts to make the day a success. This was the first race for both the High School and League Teams. The  High School Novice 8 person boat settled all uncertainties with a finish of 6th place. Four of the same girls went on to later race a High School Novice 4 person boat and also did well finishing 8th. The Womens League 8 person boats represented the only Master Womens 8's in the region. With bragging rights established in the Titan boathouse, they each finished with CARA's first gold and silver medal place finishes.

The college returns to Augusta with only one rower, Jasmine Horn, returning from the previous year's CARA College Team. Currently the Titan roster is comprised of 8 new members from AASU and SCAD. Not able yet to field a "true" college boat, the college team entered as  "club" boat racing along with members of both the League and College Programs.

Also making a showing in the lightweight 4 category, was the CARA League Women's four. A boat comprised of different time CARA program time slots, this was only their second time together on the water.

The Men's League entered the club event. The boat was comprised of each of the CARA programs offerered, the High School, College, and League athletes. 

"As CARA grows, I hope that soon we will be able to enter boats in true categories of age, size, and ability. Until that happens, I know our team will struggle with topping the leader board. Saying that, this is the kind of racing that tests the strength of our new CARA program. Lets be honest, to even be here is a big win for our athletes.  I am so proud of how everyone on the team, especially the Men's 8 and how it came together and rowed as one CARA Team . It really shows the unity this sport is all about." reports Head Coach Scott Nohejl.

Triumph of Spirit.

Nov 10, 2007 Augusta, GA- In a display of great character, 5 athletes from the newly formed Chatham Area Rowing Association College Program competed in the Head of the South Regatta. This was the inaugural race for the CARA team. The team entered the Women's Club 4 racing in a 5 Kilometer course down the Savannah River. 18 schools and clubs from around the region fielded boats for the Women's Club 4 event. There were 71 total events for the day. About 4000 were in attendance to see Head style racing at it's best.  "Although CARA did not win, the courage and discipline displayed by these women show that this program is off to a great start." said Head Coach Scott Nohejl. The boat raced with Jasmine Horn (SCAD) as stroke, Camille Waller (SCAD)in 3 seat, Dusta Wright (SCAD) in 2, and Natalie Stockton (SCAD) in the bow. The freshman coxswain was Mark Prather (SCAD).
Coach Nohejl said "Our goal was to pace it out at 24 minutes. The women pushed it out and did it in just over 23. New rower, Dusta Wright had only rowed 5 times. I chose her (Dusta) to come into this Varsity 4 to replace another Varsity rower that had quit last minute." Coxswain Mark Prather noted, "You could feel the heart of these girls throughout the race. When I asked for power, they gave it their all." The boat rowed a 17 year old "Van Gogh" boat without electronics working to tell us them their pace or location. "We all knew it was important to be there holding ground. CARA replaces the SCAD Rowing Team. Last year, we were at the top of these events. Without proper funding, all I can do now is put the team out with an egg timer and say do it in 24 Minutes." Nohejl described. "Next time, I'll say 20 minutes."

CARA League Race

Nov 11, 2007 Thunderbolt, GA- The Chatham Area Rowing Association League Program held its first League race Sunday morning. About 20 people came to watch as the two Women's Teams race it out a short 1000 meter course down the Wilmington River. The boats were made up of adults in the community that practice 2-4 times a week for 7 weeks. "The race allows everyone a chance to use their skills in a friendly challenge." Said Coach Nohejl.

The "Mothership" team rowed with Ann Ramee as stroke, Kathleen Pitt in 7 seat, Randy Lewis in 6 seat, Jodi Weeks in 5, Fabienne Dickinson in 4, Allison Bigbee in 3, Helen Iocovozzi in 2, and Kim Iocovozzi in Bow. The Coxswain for the crew was Janelle Lopez.

The "Rowhos" team rowed with Marquis Toson as stoke. Rachela Brisindi. in 7 seat, Heidi Schaffner in 6 seat, Robert Weber in  5 seat, Lena Samson in 4 seat, Jessica Locke in 3 seat, Colleen Bremer in 2 seat, and Terri Toyler. in Bow. The coxswain for the crew was Danielle Swift.

Both crews battled it out for the first 250 meters, but slowly the "Rowho" crew pulled ahead and there was no stopping them for the last 500. The "Mothership" boat crossed the finish about a boat  length off. "It was exciting to see everyone pulling and working hard... Even if this meant sometimes with each other and sometimes against." Nohejl smiled.  

The morning finished with an exhibition row with the men. Because there was no other mens boat in the league, the men ran the race solo, practicing speed and power. 

The "nutsandstrokes" boat rowed with Robert Weber as stroke, Algar Thagne in 7 seat, Randy Lewis in 6 seat, Robert Welsh in 5 seat, Danille Swift in 4 seat, Chris Thomson in 3 seat, Colleen Bremer in 2 seat and Terri Toler in the bow. The Coxswain for crew was Janelle Lopez.