Rowing for a cure

Posted at: 06/15/2012 2:24 PM | Updated at: 06/15/2012 6:11 PM
By: Nikki Rudd | WHEC.com

A lot of people are probably looking forward to some rest and relaxation this weekend, but seven boys from McQuaid Jesuit Crew Team won’t be relaxing, they’re rowing for the cure.

They’re rowing the entire Erie Canal, which is more than 300 miles. They’ll be at the Palmyra Marina taking a break for the night and will end up in Waterford, north of Albany next week.

It was a quiet morning in Clarkson on Friday as a mist hangs over the Erie Canal, but once the sun came up, so did a bunch of guys from McQuaid Jesuit.

Cameron Pizzo said, “Honestly, we didn’t realize how exhausting it would be. It’s a low to row, it’s pretty tough physically.”

The members of the McQuaid Jesuit Crew Team are rowing 340 miles in eight days.

Pizzo said, “We started in Buffalo Thursday and we rowed just over 50 miles and camped out here just past Holley.”

They’re rowing all these miles with their arch rivals, the Canisius High School Crew Team.

Pizzo said, “We are rowing across the Erie Canal to raise money for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Our goal was to raise $55,000 and we are at about $51,000 currently.”

They’re rowing about 40 miles each day and no matter how good of shape you’re in, it’s a tough task.

Pizzo said, “I think we're doing good. We just have to remember, keep drinking water, keep drinking fluids, make sure we eat and keep our nutrients up and we have to remember to stretch a little more.”

They’ll spend the next five days going through the locks and lift bridges of the Erie Canal for a cause.

Pizzo said, “We haven’t had much trouble yet, let’s hope it stays that way.”

To donate to the cause, click here.

 

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