Liz Martin Crowned Henley Women's Regatta Champion

Riverside Boat Club is proud to congratulate Liz Martin on winning the Godfrey Rowsports Trophy in the Championship Lightweight Single Sculls at the prestigious Henley Women's Regatta! Returning to Henley after competing there in 2022, Liz arrived with valuable experience on the famous course and a determination to test herself against an exceptionally strong international field. The event attracted several accomplished lightweight scullers from across Europe and North America, reflecting the growing importance of elite racing opportunities for lightweight athletes.

After posting the fastest time in Friday’s time trial to earn a bye into the semifinals, Liz faced her toughest challenge of the regatta. Despite falling several lengths behind early, she remained composed, trusted her race plan, and steadily worked her way back into contention before overtaking her opponent in the closing stages to secure a dramatic victory. Just a few hours later, she delivered a commanding performance in the final, leading from start to finish to claim the Godfrey Rowsports Trophy and become the Championship Lightweight Single Sculls champion.

Beyond the result itself, the regatta was a memorable experience for Liz, who enjoyed racing on one of rowing’s most iconic courses, reconnecting with friends and supporters, and meeting some of her rowing heroes. The victory also earned her pre-qualification for the Princess Royal Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta, where she will take on an even deeper field in the coming days. Congratulations to Liz on an outstanding achievement and a well-deserved international title!

See results at: https://rowresults.co.uk/results/hwr26/Tree1012461.pdf

New Shell Dedicated in Honor of Janice Hayes-Cha

On May 31, 2026, Riverside Boat Club dedicated a new boat in honor of Janice Hayes-Cha, recognizing her exceptional dedication, leadership, and long-standing contributions to the club community.

The dedication ceremony brought together teammates and members of the Riverside community to celebrate Hayes-Cha’s impact both on and off the water.

During the event, teammate Anita Verheul delivered remarks highlighting Hayes-Cha’s energy, commitment, and influence within the club:

If you don’t know Janice Hayes-Cha, imagine a Whirling Dervish inside the Energizer Bunny with a Heart of Gold. If you do know Janice then you know this is true. The other thing that is true about Janice is that she loves rowing and she loves Riverside. She brings all her energy and love to the sport of Rowing and to her support of this club which she cherishes. 

I met Janice 10 years ago, shortly after she single handedly willed a masters women sweep program to be a reality at Riverside. Initially she was the driving force to bring in rowers, corral coxswains and persuade coaches to support the fledgling team. Not to mention the goal of world rowing participation. What you see today is a very strong Masters Women Sweep team with over 20 rowers on the roster; 4 new team members joining this Spring alone and a coach back for her second season. 

But Janice doesn’t limit herself to sweeps, she took up sculling during Covid and has her own single which she very graciously offers anyone who doesn’t have a boat to row. All this rowing is topped off with her numerous volunteer activities. Some which are evident and others which she just does for no other reason than for the benefit of Riverside.

I’m so lucky to count her as a close friend and rowing partner. Myself and the Women’s Masters team celebrate this boat christening in honor of Janice Hayes-Cha. Thank you Janice for everything you do!!

We are honored to celebrate Janice and hope this dedication serves as a lasting reminder of the extraordinary support she has given to Riverside Boat Club.

Boston's Run to Remember

On Sunday, May 24, we continued our collaboration with Boston's Run to Remember Half Marathon! For the past 4 years, RBC members have volunteered to operate the 5 and 7 mile water stops for this race. The course has a "stake turn" so we have tables set up on either side of Memorial Dr to provide water and gatorade for those going out and back. At this point, we are a well oiled machine from mixing gatorade, stacking rows and rows of cups, mastering the proper hand off technique, and leaving the street garbage free once the race wraps up. Although it was cold and rainy this year, moral was high as we cheered on those running!

From the Boston Globe - Innovation Beat: AI keeps geese off Charles River docks

The Riverside Boat Club’s docks are free of sticky green poop, thanks to a high-tech fix.

(By Aaron Pressman, The Boston Globe)

In recent years, rowers in Cambridge have been on a bit of a wild goose chase, trying to
prevent local water fowl from besmirching docks up and down the Charles River with
sticky green feces. So retired engineer Andy Roy came up with a low-cost artificial intelligence system to
protect the docks at the Riverside Boat Club, where he rows, from the avian menace.

Continue to the full article, here

Want to know more? Contact RBC. or visit this site about the smart Goose Deterrent System (SGDS)

AI supported sprinkler in action.

Night time images from the RBC docks