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Port Angeles club OPRA holds its first regatta; Rats win First and Third

Some of our most daring club members braved a bad forecast and headed off to participate in the first-ever Port Angeles Coastal Regatta Endurance race on Oct. 19, 2025. It wasn't dull. The word of the day was "intrepid."


"All the common weather and wind conditions, except fog, happened during the approximately 7-mile long course race between Hollywood Beach and Ediz Hook," said Kathy Woods-Smith, who coxed the only club quad in the race.


Course map from the Quad
Course map from the Quad

Some 22 rowers competed in 12 boats in the long course, with 25 more racers in another 10 boats taking on the short course of 3 miles.


"The start was packed but thinned out after the short course rowers peeled off," Kathy noted.


Despite the turbulence, longer course distance and the challenge of a new race, club members Noah Seixas and Glen Eppick emerged victorious. They took 1st place in their double with 56:44, besting the 2nd place double by just 6 seconds.


"When Rod Sternagel and Haleigh Werner [in the 2nd place double] came across the line 6 seconds behind us,” Glen said, “they shouted ‘go around again?’ I suppose suggesting that they might have prevailed had the race been another 12K longer. I can't argue with that."


Coming in 3rd place with 1:00:50 was Kathy W-S 's quad with crew Ted Shoulberg, Kim Matthews and Mari Friend. There was a bit of adventure along the way, what Kathy called "two unscheduled temporary disruptions."


Unfazed as usual, Mari said "it was a fun day overall." She noted the club brought along the Cul8oar boat so that another crew could race in it. "That was the extra push that sent us on our way to PA," she said, "but I am glad we went. It was fun to visit with rowers from Lake Union and Mount Baker, who usually are not at Sound Rowers races."


Our thanks to race director Sean Halberg and the Olympic Peninsula Rowing Association for all of its work to make this new race happen.


For pictures and Francine Rose's write-up, click here: https://roofratz.wordpress.com/2025/10/23/first-ever-port-angeles-race-2025/


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