The Triad Navy

The Triad Navy
By Gene Kininmonth

He looked out upon the water
at the mystery of the lake
and pondered, just for a moment
Would this be a great mistake?

To start a club of rowers
Having bought the boat and rack
He told himself, what could go wrong?
Let’s give this crew a crack!

The first crew launched in High Point
Hearts quivering with ache
A shell of girls who had never rowed
Now graced Oak Hollow Lake

While the rowing was not pretty
It did make those young hearts soar
For in those first few moments
They caught the addiction of the oar.

Each year we repeat this holy act
On the Anniversary Row
But instead of just one shell and crew
Now, a fleet of many flow

And there’s a duck in blazing golden glory
Merging lake with bold blue sky
What more could add to this rowing story
Another club? Why not? Let’s try.

At first they said “Oh no you can’t!”
Form another Navy Blue
But when rowers raced across Lake Brandt
They cheered, Go Greensboro Crew!

United together we swing as one
On waters calm or wavy
Bodies strain till the race is done
We fight on, one Triad Navy!

And now, as Autumn turns to Winter
Rowers, celebrate this night
Let the voice of many be heard as one,
“Triad Navy, Unite!”

Triad United Rowing Association founder Gene Kininmonth with his wife Amy and sons Jack and Harry.