Fall 2024 marked the fifth season of “Small Boat Fall” at Blair Academy, and what a season it was. For the first time ever, the team kicked things off with a preseason camp at Driftstone Campground on the Delaware River in Pennsylvania. All scullers attended, breaking away from our usual routine on the Paulinskill. The change of location brought fresh energy and allowed them to start the season with a strong technical base, free from the pressures of school and racing. Preseason was a resounding success, and Blair returned to the Paulinskill ready to build on that momentum.

The first few weeks focused on base-building and sharpening racing skills through our Friday “Around the Buoy” races. Times steadily improved as the weeks went by.

For the first time in two decades, Blair rowing returned to the Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston. Through the lottery, Blair secured entries for both the men’s and women’s coxed quads, sending 10 athletes to compete on one of the sport’s biggest stages. Before Boston, the team tested our mettle at the Head of the Passaic in Bergen County, New Jersey. Racing singles, doubles and the coxed quads, the team gained confidence and valuable experience. Levin Li ’25 made history, securing Blair sculling’s first men’s medal in the program’s history, with a podium finish in the single.

The Head of the Charles was an unforgettable experience for all involved. The weekend, described by athletes as “wholesome,” featured perfect weather and fierce competition. Chandler Wildrick ’25 and Rachel Kim ’26, stepping into the program as coxswains just 1.5 weeks prior, skillfully guided their crews through the iconic and winding Charles course. Beyond the racing, our athletes gained inspiration, witnessing some of the world’s best crews in action.

The season continued with the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta in Philadelphia, where we returned to racing singles and doubles. Audrey Bean ’25 captured silver in the Women’s Novice single, bringing Blair sculling’s medal count for the season to two—matching the tally from 2021. This year also marked a significant milestone: It was the season with the highest number of athletes picking up sculls for the first time, a testament to the program’s growth and inclusivity.

Blair concluded the fall season by strengthening our cherished relationship with the Hill School. They graciously hosted us on their stretch of the Schuylkill River and welcomed us to their dining hall for a shared meal afterward. It was a memorable fall filled with meaningful moments, and we look forward to what next year has in store.