Wilson Crew is Henley Bound

UPDATE: Our BV8 rowers touched down in England on June 19th and are currently in Shrewsbury, already adjusting to the time difference and practicing in their race boat! They head to Henley on June 25th, where they will be housed in home-stays and getting ready for the big regatta, which begins on June 28th. 

Thanks to all of you - and an anonymous donor who matched donations 2:1 up to $15,000, - we have raised over $70,000, well surpassing our initial fundraising goal! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

While we may have reached our Henley 2022 goal, the fundraising continues. Any money raised in excess of actual expenses will go to a new "Regatta Fund" to support future Wilson boats that qualify to compete in Henley and other premier regattas.  You can continue to support the future of Wilson Crew by donating to this Go Fund Me effort. 

Here's the BV8 boat's story: after impressive back-to-back victories at the US Scholastic (SRAA) National Championship Regatta (May 28th) and the Stotesbury Cup Regatta (May 21st), the two most important scholastic races in the country, the Wilson Crew Boys’ Varsity 8 boat will compete in what might be the world’s most prestigious rowing event: the Henley Royal Regatta, held this year from June 28 – July 3 in Henley-on-Thames, UK. 

This is a huge accomplishment and a huge honor. 

Our BV8 is as fast a crew as the Washington, DC, area has ever produced, and will most likely be the only public school among the approximately five American teams to compete in the international 32-boat field at Henley. 

Wilson Crew is the oldest high school rowing program in Washington, DC and the only rowing program at a DC public school. As a year-round club program, Wilson Crew is funded by parent dues, community support and rower-driven fundraising efforts. These funds support the amazing efforts of more than 100 rowers across four teams, including Varsity and Freshmen Boys’ and Girls’ as well as an innovative Learn-to-Row program for area middle schoolers. Going to Henley has required a fundraising effort on a different scale. 

We anticipate that the total cost of the trip for our athletes and coaches will be $60,000. Wilson alumni and their families, the broader US rowing community, and the DC business sector have stepped up to help us raise as much funds to underwrite this opportunity.  

These young athletes have worked so hard all year – and throughout a high school career interrupted by COVID – to achieve what is quite likely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Thank you for helping them get across the financial finish line so they can cross the Henley-on-Thames finish line in July!

Tiger Pride!

 

For more information on our club: https://www.wilsoncrew.org

 

For More information on the Royal Henley Regatta: https://www.hrr.co.uk