Four Pontoons, Two Programmes, One Athlete Ready to Race

In early September, the women's coach at Marietta College in Ohio got in touch with PRF. Their PR2 sculler was entered in the single at the Head of the Schuylkill in Philadelphia on 24 October. On their reading of the race rules, pontoons appeared to be required for PR1 and PR2 entries.

Their athlete rows confidently without them. But the team had met rules like this before, and they weren't willing to let a technicality cost their rower a start. So they set out to buy a set.

At almost the same moment, PRF volunteer Taylyr spotted that Hingham High School Rowing Association was selling four pontoons. One email explaining where they would go was all it took. Hingham chose to donate them instead, along with another piece of adaptive equipment.

Hingham brought the kit to the Head of the Charles. PRF received it there and handed it to Marietta's men's coach, who carried it home to Ohio.

Meanwhile, PRF's Marilyn spoke with the race's Executive Director, who confirmed that only PR1 athletes need pontoons at this event. Welcome news for the coach, and the start of a conversation with the race team about its rules once the autumn season is over.

Whatever the rulebook says, this equipment now lives in a college boathouse that makes sure every athlete has what they need to race. That is what PRF exists to do: connect people, equipment and opportunity, fast.

Good luck to Marietta's sculler this weekend!