Beekman Beach was well used on Saturday, Nov. 11, as the Sagamore Rowing Association held their Frostbire Regatta. The parking fields on the Jakobson Dock and at Beekman Beach itself were packed.

The beach looked like the height of the season with people standing on the beach, sculls in the water and tents set up by the participating school teams, serving food to participants and their families.

By sheer numbers you can see the interest in crewing on Long Island. Walking up to the first group of rowers one could hear the Oyster Bay Coach Peter Bisek talking strategy with the rowers. He said the girls had won in the Quadruple sculls. "They won, it was beautiful," he said.

Parent Debbie Bertolli was delighted to see the students taking part in the regatta. She said, "The Sagamore Rowing Association is a great asset to Oyster Bay because it runs successful rowing programs for high school-aged students. The Crew Club program is like a magnet for youngsters from all different high schools in the area. I can't speak highly enough of this informal organization that just has done so much for our youth."

She added, "Crewing helped my son Alex get into Yale University. I think this is what differentiated him from all the other applicants," she said.

SRA member Catherine McConnell said, "When Alex rowed for the Crew Club of Oyster Bay he was the most committed rower on his crew team. He was focused, worked well with others and stood out as one of the most responsible students ever to row from Sagamore's boathouse in Oyster Bay."