June 17, 2006

HENLEY-ON-THAMES, ENGLAND - On Friday, June 16, the Villanova rowing team donned its blues and whites and attended the reception for crews rowing in the Henley Women's Regatta. Normally a reception for foreign crews, this year every crew in the race was invited to mingle and meet their competitors in the wonderful setting of the recently renovated River and Rowing Museum.

The reception was held in the Schwarzenbach International Rowing Gallery, which was recently reopened after a major redisplay. The new gallery tells the history of international rowing in an eye-catching and extremely informational way.

One of the highlights of the new gallery is the 'In the Cox's Seat' interactive exhibit, giving visitors a unique, 360 degree experience of what it is like to take part in a race at the world famous Henley Royal Regatta.

In addition to noshing on some light snacks, the girls had a chance to meet with some of the Stewards, the group who puts on the Henley Royal Regatta at the end of June and beginning of July. The HRR is very prestigious and one of the most well-known regattas in the world.