Rowing in Color at the Head of the Charles Regatta

By Lis De Sá Fonseca

Published on 10/20/2024 HERE

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Professional rowers, college students, and fans gathered in Cambridge for the annual Head of the Charles Regatta. With nearly 12,000 rowers from various countries, the Charles River was filled with colorful boats navigating the course.

Despite the thousands of competitors, one thing was clear: there was little racial diversity. Rowing in Color, an organization aimed at increasing diversity in the sport, set up a tent by the riverside to raise awareness.

“All of the colors are represented here today. There aren’t only white people rowing,” said Allison Galay, a rower with Rowing in Color, as she spoke to reporters about the organization’s mission.

In a sport historically dominated by white athletes, Galay and others have found representation through groups like Rowing in Color as they prepared for the three-mile race.

Lakota Longhorn, a rower for the Indigenous boat, shared her experience as a Native American professional rower.

“For my family, this is a big thing. In rowing, there aren’t many Indigenous people. It’s very rare in our culture,” said Longhorn. “Any foot in the door for a Native person is a foot in the door for all of us,” she added.

Zulia Martinez, a rower with the BIPOC boat, stood at the Rowing in Color tent, speaking with spectators after her practice. She reflected on her experience in the sport.

“Rowing is a predominantly white sport. I’ve been on teams where I was the only person of color,” Martinez said. “This is a moment where I get to be in a diverse group — which is a very rare opportunity in rowing.” The competition continued, with rowers from Rowing in Color returning to the tent, cheering each other on as their boats took to the water.