The Orcas Island Rowing Club (OIRA) held their first annual “Headless Head” regatta at Cascade Lake on Sunday, Nov. 2. Rowers of all ages participated from novice junior rower Yon Agnew to “Grandad Roseberry.”

Organizers say, “It was a fun and relaxed event. Even the weather cooperated bringing neither heavy rain nor wind to disrupt the races.”

Danny Armstrong and Tom Roseberry, two Orcas alumni, returned to Orcas for the regatta.

Armstrong coxed the Orcas team for four years and now coxes with the Western Washington University team. Rowers say that is was a pleasure to have Armstrong back for a visit and to inspire them even in the the toughest conditions.

Roseberry was part of a the first Orcas crew to make it to the national championships. A successful triathlete, Roseberry used his strength and fitness to beat the rest of the field in a single in the first head race event.

After the completion of the head race, another sprint race that took rowers once down the lake was added. Roseberry was part of the quad that took first place in the follow on Headless sprint.