Celebrating Cal’s rowing tradition

By Cathy Cockrell, Public Affairs

22 March 2001 | Competitive rowing is steeped in tradition, so when veteran oarsmen get together — as Cal rowing alumni will this Saturday — they often talk nostalgically of the indescribable smell of old boathouses, the century’s top rowing coaches, or the days of iron men and wooden boats, hewn from a single log, that were seaworthy for 40 years.

The legendary Berkeley coxswain Don Blessing, and the long and illustrious tradition of the Cal rowing team — which has made Ky Eybright Boathouse, on the Oakland Estuary, its home for more than 100 years — are featured in Dominique Derrenger’s new documentary,“All for One: In the Spirit of the Race.” The world premiere screening is at 8:30 p.m., Saturday, March 24, in Wheeler Auditorium. It is free and runs about 30 minutes.

For a closeup of the Cal men’s varsity team, in training with Head Rowing Coach Steve Gladstone, see Close Encounters, page 2.