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Volume 15 | Mid April 2020
Caspersen Rowing Center Happenings
Providing a venue where athletes of all ages, talents and backgrounds have the opportunity to develop their rowing ability to their highest potential.
Dear PNRA Rowing Family Member,

On March 12, we made a difficult decision to close the Caspersen Rowing Center and go to “virtual” programing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the past 5 weeks, we have watched as schools, business and even Parks have been closed in an effort to control the spread of this virus. 

At the time we made our decision, a major concern was how our rowing community would respond to the challenges and changes we were facing. The reaction and support have been amazing. We have come together as a community to continue the programs and through them to support each other. Our athletes of all ages, parents, supporters and especially the coaching staff, have all made a huge effort to continue to provide programing that enhances the lives of all of us in this time when it desperately needed. 

On behalf of PNRA, the Mercer Programs and all in our rowing community, I want to express our sincerely appreciation and to each one of you.

At PNRA we remain committed to getting people back in boats and on the water.  We also know that the health and safety of our community is paramount in any actions we take. Earlier this week, N.J. Governor Phil Murphy said that he does not see things in New Jersey loosening up for at least another 30 days. This means that the remainder of the spring program will continue in the virtual realm. 

While we are still planning to offer full summer programing at the Caspersen Rowing Center, it will have to incorporate whatever guidelines and restrictions are still in place when we get to June. We will work to keep you informed of the status as we get closer to the summer programs.

On this Mercer Lake Sprints weekend we are celebrating the virtual edition of this event looking out at the rain rather than spending the day out in it. This does come with mixed feelings as we will not be able to experience the efforts of our athletes as they race down the course on Mercer Lake. But we also know that the efforts that we are tanking now will yield to a time in the near future when we will be back on the water again.

Thank you for your support and we welcome any thoughts and ideas that you may have on how we can improve our programs.

Please stay healthy and safe,
Kris Grudt

Brown University's Cate Porter '20. Cate rowed for PNRA/Mercer and Kent School.
Hear from Cate Porter, Brown University '20, who formerly rowed for PNRA Mercer about losing her final spring rowing season as a college senior at Brown.

We had a chance to catch up with former Mercer Junior summer athlete Cate Porter who is a member of the Class of 2020 and Women’s Rowing Team at Brown University. Cate is still in Providence working on her senior thesis for her major in Environmental Science, but her rowing career at Brown was cut short by Coronavirus.

SUPPORT MERCER ROWING AND BUY RAFFLE TICKETS TO WIN THIS BEAUTIFUL PAINTING!
GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!! ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT MERCER JUNIOR ROWING!

LOCAL ARTIST & MERCER PARENT TOM KELLY DONATED "REGATTA AT MERCER" FOR RAFFLE!!!

Raffle tickets are $5 each.
Tentative draw date is June 9, 2020.

FOLLOW MERCER ROWING!

WE WELCOME YOUR STORIES ABOUT HOW YOU ARE SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY!
Email Katie at Kgardner@rowpnra.org
ADULT SUMMER ROWING LEAGUE
CAN'T WAIT FOR SUMMER???
(new dates for summer league)
We will be holding our very popular Adult Summer Rowing League June 22- August 14, 2020. Join with a group or on your own. All experience levels welcome!
MERCER TEAMS ARE UP AND RUNNING VIRTUALLY WITH ZOOM WORKOUTS!

MASTER'S PRACTICE SESSIONS ARE OPEN TO MJRC PARENTS (at no charge!).
(email Jenwhiting@gmail.com)
CLASSES ARE BRIGHT AND EARLY 6 DAYS A WEEK AT 6 & 7AM SHARP! WOULD YOU LIKE TO JOIN?
US ROWING
"USRowing is offering our individual members exclusive daily webinars. Lots of interesting topics! Upcoming topics include: Catherine Starr and Heidi Hunsberger - Building Our Community. Emerging from COVID 19 Stronger as Clubs (tonight 4/17), Jennifer Kierstead - COVID-19's Impact on Grants and Grantseeking (4/18) and Jim Dietz - Technique for Masters Rowing on Monday April 20th.

PSE&G completes new power line installation over Mercer Lake! More photos on our Facebook page!
Row 2K coverage of the Pandemic.
Ed Hewitt's article for Row2K tackles the subject.
Row 2K's Photo of the Day (a while back) features Mercer Junior Rowing.
BOATING SAFETY COURSE RESCHEDULED FOR JUNE 8 & 10~

Interested in driving a launch? Join us for the Boating Safety Course on Monday, June 8 & Wednesday, June 10 from 6:30-10:00 pm at Caspersen Rowing Center. (Attendance required both nights.) This certificate is required for anyone who wants to be a launch driver for home regattas or summer camp head coach.
Fee is $75.
Please email Hilary at hgehman@rowPNRA.org for details.
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR DONORS!

As a nonprofit, we depend on support from across our community. Thank you to all of our donors, both large and small. You enable us to thrive in good times and, with continued engagement across our community, in uncertain times.

With sincere thanks for our donors.
If you would like to support PNRA at this challenging time, we would be grateful.

Thank you.
PNRA is a 501 (c)3 nonprofit corporation. We are grateful to all who support our mission and could not do it without you! We gladly accept gifts of appreciated stock and corporate matching gifts. Have questions? Contact Katie at kgardner@rowPNRA.org
THANK YOU!
STAY SAFE!!
Through your support you make a difference at PNRA!