Gainesville Area Rowing Women’s 4+ places 14th out of 86 boats at 60th Head of the Charles Regatta
Press release from Gainesville Area Rowing
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Gainesville Area Rowing (GAR) proudly represented North Central Florida on the national stage this past weekend at the 60th Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston, Massachusetts — one of the world’s largest and most prestigious rowing events.
The GAR Women’s 4+ crew delivered an outstanding performance, finishing 14th out of 86 boats with a time of 19:00.411, marking one of the club’s best results to date at the iconic event.
Held annually on the Charles River, the Head of the Charles Regatta attracts more than 11,000 athletes and 400,000 spectators from around the globe, drawing elite collegiate, club, and international teams. The three-mile course is known for its sharp turns, narrow bridges, and ever-changing river conditions — making strong steering and strategy just as important as speed.
One of the defining moments of the race came as coxswain Miriam Siroky expertly threaded the needle between two opposing boats and guided her crew cleanly under a bridge, a daring maneuver that saved precious seconds and helped the team climb in the standings. Her calm command and precision steering exemplified the poise and teamwork that carried the crew through the challenging course.
“The Head of the Charles is one of the most challenging courses in rowing with tight turns, bridges, and dozens of crews all fighting for the same fast line. The athletes prepared the right way, they focused at practice, kept themselves accountable, and most importantly placed their trust in Miriam, their coxswain. Racing here is a lot like Formula 1 — the best car doesn’t win if the driver can’t handle the course or claim the right line. The girls executed beautifully and trusted Miriam to steer them through one of the toughest races in the country. That kind of trust is what made the difference,“ said head coach Garrett Bauer.
The GAR Women’s 4+ lineup included Miriam Siroky (coxswain), Hannah Jones, Stella Goldstein, Addy Mathews (won 2nd at Nationals June 2025 in her pair), and Kate Carodine. Competing against powerhouse programs from across the U.S. and abroad, their top-tier finish showcases Gainesville Area Rowing’s growing strength and national competitiveness.
Founded in 1996, Gainesville Area Rowing continues to foster a love of rowing in the community, offering youth and adult programs that promote fitness, teamwork, and excellence both on and off the water.