Yale "Fleet" Continues to Grow

Two new shells formally dedicated

 


Derby Mayor Marc Garofalo joined Yale Community Rowing staff and Jack Brady of the Matthies Foundation for the dedication of the new Katherine Matthies Foundation shell.


Yale Community Rowing Program Director Jamie Snaider celebrates the launch of the Maxwell M. Belding '45 with the Belding family.


 A Housatonic River Water christening

Yale's Community Rowing Program's fleet grew by two new boats Friday at the Gilder Boat House on Roosevelt Drive when two new shells were officially dedicated to help support the program. On a day fit only for ducks, the Community Rowing Program held an assortment of rowing demonstrations before officially christening the two newest additions, the Katherine Matthies Foundation and the Maxwell M. Belding '45. The shells were christened with bottles of champagne followed closely by waters drawn from the Housatonic River.

The Yale Community Rowing program has been a major success for Yale, Derby and the Greater New Haven Community since the new Gilder Boat House was opened in 2000. More than 700 adults and children will participate in the program this year


Katharine Matthies Foundation

Jamie Snaider, Director of the Program, served as emcee for the morning. Early arrivals had the opportunity to see program participants in action on the river as Adult, High School and Learn to Row youth participants were rowing on a rainy river. Jack Brady, a member of the Katherine Matthies Foundation's Advisory Committee, had the honor of christening the new Matthies Boat while Max Belding was on hand with several family members to dedicate the Belding boat. Mr. Belding spoke of his own time spent on the Housatonic River as a member of the Yale Crew team which rowed from the previous Cook Boat House which was located on the same site. He expressed his pleasure with the Community Rowing Program and the high level of participation.

The two new boats join the Hazel Knapp shell which was dedicated two years ago.

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