in the 40- to 60-year-old range who have
been driving by the charles River their
entire lives and have always had a thirst
for getting out on the water. However, if
you think sculling is as easy as canoeing
or kayaking, you’re mistaken. I first tried
the sport on serene Hosmer Pond at the
craftsbury outdoor center in northern
vermont. the first several days I spent
far more time in the cool waters than
nestled snugly inside my hull. oar handles must work together at all times or
the boat quickly tips to the left or right.
thus, to avoid going swimming, we were
taught to think of our oars as a bike chain
in fluid, almost circular motion.
Many of the sculling instructors at
craftsbury had quad muscles the size
of an nFl running back’s, proving that
legs are just as important as arms in the
stroke. You scoot up and then thrust your
legs against a board to propel the oars
Above: The
sun sets
over Boston
University’s
DeWolfe
Boathouse.
stevedunwell/AgeFotostock
WHAT TO KNOW
BEFORE YOU ROW
WHERE TO ROW
Community Rowing
The Brighton-based
organization offers sculling
classes throughout the
spring and summer. Cost
is $365 per course.
617-779-8267;
communityrowing.org
Head of the Charles Regatta
The 47th Head of the Charles
Regatta will take place the
weekend of Oct. 22–23. The
regatta is open to all rowers.
Sign up online for one of the
more than 50 events.
617-868-6200; hocr.org
WHERE TO STAY
The Charles Hotel
The Charles is the premier
property in Harvard Square,
with an easy walk to the river,
campus and all the restaurants
and shops in the neighborhood. Upstairs is one of Cambridge’s finest restaurants,
Rialto; a branch of Legal Sea
Foods; and Henrietta’s Table,
known for its use of local produce, cheese and fish. 1 Bennett St., Cambridge;
617-864-1200;
charleshotel.com
The Liberty Hotel
The official hotel of the Head
of the Charles Regatta, the
Liberty Hotel is at the foot of
Beacon Hill, near the antique
shops on Charles Street. More
than $120 million was spent to
convert the circa-1851 jail into
an upscale 300-room Beacon
Hill property. Vestiges of jail
cells remain in the hotel lobby,
and there’s a bar called Alibi,
if you want to toast your row-
ing prowess. Beacon Hill,
215 Charles St., Boston;
617-224-4000;
libertyhotel.com
WHERE TO EAT
No. 9 Park
Near the State House, on the
edge of Boston Common, is
one of Boston’s best-loved
restaurants, No. 9 Park. Owner
Barbara Lynch won a James
Beard Award for Best Chef in
the Northeast. Start with the
prune-stuffed gnocchi. Then
move on to her signature
dish, crispy duck with cherries
and braised endive. 9 Park
St., Boston; 617-742-9991;
no9park.com
Oleana
Chef Ana Sortun has received
rave reviews for Mediterra-nean-influenced fare such as
wild striped bass topped with
black garlic tahini or lamb with
Turkish spices. Ask for a table
in the quiet outdoor garden.
134 Hampshire St., Cambridge;
617-661-0505;
oleanarestaurant.com
