When more than 400 years old climb into a rowing boat, the routine is palpable. The movements may not be quite as dynamic as they used to be. But even before the “Fritz Garnjost” can start moving uncontrollably at the jetty on Sunday morning, a foot stands across or a gentle but determined caution can be heard. Helmut Berthold (81 years old), Peter Brand (82), Peter Lott (83), Hubert Scheuer (85) and “little nest” Konrad Schliephake (78) hardly fool anyone when boarding the boat. They know exactly what they’re doing on the water. Some of those who have arrived have known each other since school and have rowed countless rivers in Europe together: the Danube, Loire, Po, Thames, but also lesser-known watercourses in Eastern Europe.
It doesn’t go that far today. After all, “only” the annual rowing of the Würzburg Rowing Club Bavaria (WRVB) rises on the Main. Its chairman Bernd Weigl finally welcomes 13 boats in the blue catamaran not far from the lock – including seven four-person boats with a helmsman or woman, two two-person boats and four one-person boats. A few words through the megaphone and the starting signal is given to row in the direction of Randersacker in glorious weather. The rowers on the Main are between 11 and 85 years old. There are 43 in total. “We haven’t had that many for a long time,” says Paul Zöller happily on the Löwenbrücke – with his camera drawn. He is also responsible for public relations at the WRVB with its around 350 members.
Diligent helpers set up the buffet
Meanwhile, his wife Traudl is busy with her colleagues in the kitchen. Salads are prepared, bread is cut and cakes are prepared. “I don’t get into the boat, I prefer to get into the water,” says amateur swimmer Traudl Zöller. Thanks to the hard-working helpers, the buffet is set up quickly on this Sunday afternoon. So it is hardly surprising that the vast majority of rowers quickly turned around and went back on land via the footbridges along the Altmain.
The official inauguration of the new jetty at Bootshaus Süd is also scheduled later. The droppings of geese, ducks and swans have severely damaged the old wooden walkway. “An adjustment would not have been worthwhile,” reports Weigl. “The new jetty should now last for the next 30 years.” The landing and departure point was financed by donations, grants and the association itself. The legacies remain a big problem on the new jetty, which also accommodates eights in length. “We have to continue scrubbing vigorously on a regular basis,” said Weigl.
OB gives the start command
Also at the neighboring Academic Rowing Club Würzburg (ARCW), large investments – in this case around ten boats – are handed over to their official purpose. The day after, traditionally on May 1st, the ARCW, which is much larger in terms of members, rows up at the same place with over 20 boats, including two eights. Mayor Christian Schuchardt gives the starting command on a rowing barge, in which his counterpart Martin Heilig has also taken a seat. For a number of years, the two rowing events have been permitted separately.
At the end of the season on October 14th at the 87th Würzburg Bockstüten Regatta there will be rowing together or in competition – with countless other boats from all over Germany and even from one or the other neighboring country. The race is organized by the Würzburg regatta club, whose representatives have also checked in with the rowing clubs in the city.
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