Age is Just a Number?

Photo Courtesy of row2k.com

90-Year-Olds Take to the HOCR Waters

Chris “Kit” Collins has been a Head of the Charles champion in four different decades. On Friday morning, he also became the oldest medal winner in Head of the Charles history, at the age of 92.

“Head of the Charles is the most important race in the world,” said Collins. “To come to the Head of the Charles, you can say you’re a national champion.”

The 92-year-old Virginian won the first-ever special medal for 90-year-olds, crossing the line in 33:12, well off his winning times from a quarter century ago, but a time that disappointed him for reasons other than age. He said he could have rowed faster but suffered from numb hands with the morning temperature in the mid-40s.

The veteran men have the honor of kicking off the Regatta with the first race starting at 7:45 in the bright morning sun with revelers hollering encouragement from both banks of the Charles.

The full event included a field of 60 rowers ages 70 and above with Collins and Don Tanhauser comprising the whole 90-plus field.

Collins started rowing in 1998 when he was 66 years old. Including Friday’s race, he has rowed in nine HOCR singles races and won eight. Rowing for Rivanna Rowing Club out of Charlottesville, he said he still rows every day that he can, either on a machine or on the Rivanna Reservoir.

His solitary competitor, Tanhauser, has raced in the Head of the Charles five or six times, and puts it right at the top of the 10 or 12 events he competes in every year. He said the spectators lining the Charles are only a part of what sets it apart.

Don Tanhauser (Photo by Elli Einset)

“Event of the year,” said Tanhauser minutes after the finish as he loaded his boat next to the UCLA trailer off Dock 4. “The Charles has everything you need in a ‘head race’: sharp turns, seven bridges and great competition.”

Collins won the HOCR Veterans (60-plus) single in 1998, and again from 2000-2002. He was the Grand Veteran (80+) in 2012, 2014 and 2015 and he’s loved watching the evolution of the HOCR. “It gets bigger and bigger every year.” But he wondered how many more times he’ll be a part of it.

“This might have been my last race, I don’t know.” A pause, and then he added: “This is as great as ever. I would like to come here even if we don’t race.”

He made the comments via telephone from Logan Airport, where he headed immediately after his race, on his way back to Charlottesville. Where he still works as a real estate agent.