The final edition of the PAC 12 Rowing Championships were at Lake Natoma in 2024. The three-man from my Varsity 8 boat in 1977, Tom Sisul, suggested that those who could should try and make it there. Why? Our boat was in the inaugural PAC 12 event, but back then it was the PAC 8s. Nice way to bookend the events.

Only Tom Sisul and I had the time. He lives in Eagle Point, in Southern Oregon, and the path of least resistance to get to the regatta was Interstate 5. But I’m getting a bit ahead.

A few weeks earlier, another boatmate, Tom Woodman, suggested a Zoom call with the 1977 boat. Blessedly, we all remain earthbound. We caught each other up, naturally by position, starting with bow. Some things never change. We traded a litany of health concerns. Our wheels are falling off. We talked spouses, children, grandchildren, careers, retirement for some. No underachievers in this group.

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The most touching revelation for me was that three of the moms are still alive well into their 90s. Moms are so important. Unconditional love. Big tins of sweets. (Dads gonna dad but we love you too).

I drove down from Portland to pick up Tom. He was fine pouring himself into the passenger seat of a car designed to ferry coxswains. We chatted endlessly, driven in part by the passing scenery. Some were very Oregon State topics —- wildfires, forestry, climate change, industrial agriculture. Other topics less serious. Why does Weed need three freeway exits? “Dazed and Confused” nailed suburban 70s high school life. I introduced him to jazz artist Eumir Deodato.

My senior year was 1977, Tom’s was 1978. I asked him what race he remembered the most from college. We shared it was the same one. More on that in a bit.

We managed to make a mess of getting to Lake Natoma, exploring greater eastern Sacramentia. But what a joy to spot Oregon State rowers at the course. Yeah, we all bleed orange. Theyall had that slight smile, nervous anticipation face. Race weekends, they aren’t student-athletes, they’re athlete-students. We wished them well for the races the next day. Tom and I watched other teams practice their sprints, methodically bringing up the stroke count. Gave me a warm feeling of past races, both wins and losses.

Race day we arrived at the course and immediately met parents of the rowers. (I felt old). They were wonderful. We listened to them describe how their children had chosen this unusual sport, their struggles and joys over the years. Tom and I tried our best to answer their questions about rowing and racing. I was especially intrigued by the dad of a men’s cox who is a guru of canoe racing in Hawaii. Cool guy. I hope we meet again.

I paid more attention to the women’s races. They still had an outside shot at the NCAAs. (Just missed). I had been at the Dexter Invite a few weeks earlier. The Beavs had an off day there. Tough to watch, a real punch in the gut. Well the women killed it at Lake Natoma. Closed gaps on higher-ranked teams. Beat the 8s they had lost to at Dexter. The swing and speed was on and you could see it and feel it from the beach. Their joy when they landed the boats was a treat. Thank you 2V8 for allowing Tom and me to join your team photo. Thank you Coach Kate and your staff. Somebody create an oral history with the amazing Rigger John.

Tom and I bid adieu to new friends and acquaintances. Bittersweet to know that the PAC 12 is dead. Fortunately, an independent schedule of regualar-season races is the norm and great competition will continue. We look forward to watching the men and women race.

The one race Tom and I remember the most from our collegiate days? The semi-final of the inaugural PAC 8 championships at Redwood Shore against Cal. Let me get a little ahead. We lost to Washington in the final. They were bigger and burlier and that morning and we woke up to a disheartening headwind. They won by open water. (Thank you parents for post-race hugs). What I remember from that race were the worried looks on the Husky faces at the starting line. They might get beat by Oregon State. Which is what we did the day before to Cal. We led from the start. Our starting sequence lasted 44 strokes, and we were up several seats. We settled down (to a 39) and picked up a few more. Cal made their move and picked up just a few seats. I knew then we were going to win. Our boat felt great. Perfect swing. We picked it up with every catch and maintained momentum on the recovery. Great spacing. That year, our planned move was a big 20 at the 1,000. We got open water. I told the guys to stay calm, row clean. With the sprint, we finished by about a length of open. Textbook.

I encourage you to try and make a regatta next spring. Dexter is a beautiful way to spend a day in the foothills of the Cascade mountains. The fall Orange and Black Regatta is a great event for alums.