“They’re competitive, they learn fast, and they’re ready to race at this level”
Five George School athletes made waves — literally — this October when they competed at the world-famous Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston. The crew, made up of Kenzie Walsh ‘27, Zoe Dao ‘28, Ana Brown ‘28, and Claire Kulzer ‘28, with Saya Reams ‘27 as the coxswain (who steers the boat and gives commands), raced in the Under-17 category and finished an impressive 17th out of 32 boats.
For a program that only began in the fall of 2023, the result marks a huge development. The George School rowing team has grown to more than fifty members and four coaches in just two years and is quickly making a name for itself on the waters.
“It’s crazy to think that last year some of these girls were novices,” said Assistant Coach Haley Uliasz. “They’ve put in a lot of work over the summer, and it’s definitely paid off. They’re competitive, they learn fast, and they’re ready to race at this level.”
Preparing for a race like the Head of the Charles, a long and twisting 4,702 meter course on Boston’s Charles river, is no small task. “We’ve been focusing a lot on technical changes and long pieces to get them used to the distance,” Haley explained. “We’ve had them do a lot of 5Ks to practice holding a consistent split — that’s how long it takes to row 500 meters — so that the actual race feels easier.”
For Kenzie Walsh ‘27, learning she’d made the line up was both nerve-wracking and exciting. “I was really nervous,” she said, “I put in a lot of work over the summer, so I was hoping to be picked, but after seat racing [when you compete against teammates for a spot] you never really know. Once I found out, I was super pumped. I feel like this is a great opportunity not just for George School, but also for getting our team more recognition.”
Her teammate, Zoe Dao ‘28, agreed that the experience carried a special meaning. “It’s one of the biggest races in the world, and since I only started rowing not long ago, it’s a chance to show my progress not just to myself, but to my family, and my teammates.”
Zoe also added that the hardest part of preparing for a big regatta wasn’t the physical training but the mindset. “The most challenging part is telling yourself you’re going to do your best,” she said. “If you start doubting yourself, you won’t make it to the end.”
When asked what makes George School’s team different, Head Coach Patrick O’Dunne explained that unlike the majority of boats at the Head of the Charles, which come from large rowing clubs that can draw athletes from miles around, George School can only race with students who are actually on its roster. He went on to explain that at races like these, about 80% of the teams are clubs, and only about 20% are scholastic, making George one of the few school-based programs competing at this level.
However, that limitation, Patrick explained, can also be a strength. “Our rowers are classmates and friends. They spend time together outside of practice, and that creates a bond and trust that really shows when they’re on the water.”
Even though the 17th place finish doesn’t guarantee the team a spot in next year’s race, it still means a lot; it proves how much effort everyone put in, both in racing and in cheering each other on. “Over time,” Patrick also said, “I want us to build a presence in multiple events and keep putting George School on the map.”
For Kenzie, though, the best part was simply the experience. “I love Boston,” she said, “I’m excited to spend time with the teams and to be surrounded by so many athletes who’ve gone so far with the sport. It’s just amazing to be part of that atmosphere.”
As the program continues to grow, this race marks a significant milestone for GS rowing, and shows that even a young team, with determination and teamwork, can make its mark on one of the biggest stages of the sport.
