HOLLIS – The Hollis Brookline High School crew team will hold its first Riverfest from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, June 8.

The event will benefit the team, and will take place on the Nashua River at the Lone Pine Hunters Club, 114 Rideout Road.

There will be live music, boat rides, food and a “Learn to Row” program.

The lineup of performers includes acoustic guitarist Chris Gardner, who plays and sings a mix of classic and current tunes; The Funkadactyls; Elements, featuring HB crew members Mark Siebert and Elayna Gardner; Hollis Brookline High students Fiona, Sydney and Jeremy; HBHS student Vanessa Hale’s band Gold Top; and the HBHS Improv “IT” (Improv Troupe).

People who attend Riverfest can explore the beauty and accessibly of the Nashua River in a festive environment for a good cause. Students and adults are invited to take river boat rides or try rowing with members of the crew team. Those who prefer a less strenuous boat ride can board the motorized launch, sit back and relax.

Grills will be fired up to serve lunch, and a brand new 2013 Perception 10-foot kayak plus two EMS three-day kayak rentals will be raffled. If you win the kayak, you can jump right in and take a ride.

The rain date is Sunday, June 9.

For weather-related announcements, visit www.hbcrew.org.

Fast start

“Can & Will” is the team’s unofficial motto. That approach came in handy on Saturday, May 4, at the Novice Challenge in Lowell, Mass., when Cavaliers competed in their first regatta.

The men’s novice No. 1 boat of eight members plus coxswain Adam Bolling (MN18+) earned silver medals, only missing the gold to Duxbury, Mass., by 1.1 seconds.

The MN28+ team, under the direction of coxswain Davin Jimeno, brought home the bronze.

The girls raced a four-seat boat with coxswain Elayna Gardner in the driver’s seat.

There were 18 high-school-age teams completing in 23 races along a 1,500-
meter course.

The Cavaliers’s debut wasn’t without fanfare; grills were fired up and a buffet lunch was served under large school-colored blue and white canopies. The team banner and balloons completed the festive look.

Freshman inspiration

Freshman Nick Sengstaken came up with the idea to bring crew to HBHS after freshman class President Cam Jackson invited him to try rowing at Rocky Pond in Hollis. Hooked immediately, Sengstaken established the club officially on Sept. 9, and held a meeting at the school on Sept. 18.

Ten fellow students joined Sengstaken at Nashua’s Independence Rowing Club that Friday under the leadership of coaches K.C. Lumbard and Anne Russell.

These rowers are now veterans of the original HBHS Crew Club: Reagan Burns, Emily Choate, Claire Cowan, Greg Cowan, Mandy Graves, Mackenzie Hewes, Carly James, John McCubrey, Nick Sengstaken, Mark Siebert and Jeff St. Hilaire.

After a successful fall season, the HBHS Crew Club found themselves without a place to row when their juniors program was discontinued. Over the winter, six parents worked together to form a new organization called Hollis Brookline Cavaliers Crew. Board members include President Ken “K.C.” Cowan, Vice President John Sengstaken, Treasurer Kelly St. Hilaire, Secretary Cheryl Siebert, communications director Margie Sengstaken and director Steve Burns.

The club is supported by HBCC, a nonprofit organization that provides the team with coaching, equipment and facilities needed to operate. With donations from other New England-based crew teams, individual families and companies, HBCC was able to piece together the equipment needed to offer crew to HBHS this spring season.

When SAU 41 business administrator Eric Horton called John Sengstaken to answer a question, he offered to help in any way he could, as he rowed in college. Sengstaken said, “Great! Congratulations! You’re our new head coach!”

Volunteer assistant coaches Bob Sengstaken, Michael Patz and Marcia Beckett have all signed on to help the team.

Lone Pine support

Finding a place to row was another challenge. Thanks to the warm welcome from members of the Lone Pine Hunters Club, the Cavaliers have a beautiful facility on the Nashua River to call home. A huge plus is that it’s just minutes from HBHS.

“When we approached Lone Pine members about rowing from their club, they were very helpful and supportive,” Burns said. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to row in Hollis.”

Siebert added, “It’s because of Lone Pine’s generosity and willingness to offer us use of their prime location that we were able to begin rowing this spring season.”

Horton noted, “HB crew is fortunate to have access to this excellent stretch of river.

It offers the ideal rowing environment with its steady water level and calm conditions. It is a perfect place to refine the rowers’ technique.”

“As a club, we are always trying to provide an opportunity and avenue for kids to get outside and experience the outdoors,” Lone Pine Chairman Rob Keller said. “Whether the kids have a fishing pole or an oar in their hands, we think it’s great for the kids to be out on the river.”

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