passing the torch
The Parent-Child Double Event
Dan Boyne
For Cambridge Boat Club member Blair Crawford , the parent-child double scull event at last year ’ s Head Of The Charles seemed like the perfect opportunity to provide his 13-year-old son with a window on the sport and a way to experience the thrill of racing .
“ When you ’ ve spent some 30 years of your life pretty devoted to an activity , you always hope that your kids will at some point come to share that same love ,” said Crawford . “ The trick is how to let them discover it for themselves and not force the sport on them .”
Crawford stands 6 ’ 6 ” and his eldest son barely crests his shoulder ; at the 2009 HOCR they sculled down to the starting line with only a few practices under their belt . They had never raced together before and Aidan had actually just learned how to scull that summer . As they made their way under the BU bridge , Crawford realized that they had never even traveled this far downstream .
For many , like the Crawfords , the parent-child race at the Head Of The Charles is an opportunity not only to partake in a world-class athletic competition , but the chance to share a profound family moment as well .
“ For me , the finish line celebration
THE CampbellS IN THE INAUGURAL PARENT-CHILD EVENT photo : © sportgraphics . com 2010 Head Of The Charles 29