North End Teen Competes in the Head of the Charles

If you live in Boston, you are well aware of the Head of the Charles weekend.  Although if you aren’t a rowing fan, it could be just the frustration of constant chaos in an already bad traffic city, but for one North End family it meant even more this past weekend.

Head of the Charles is a huge two day event, just completing its 53rd year, which brings over 11,000 athletes to Boston to compete in this prestigious regatta.  Most competitors are known on an international stage, training year round for the chance to row on one of the most difficult courses, The Charles River.

Among those competitors this year, was North End resident Jordan Klysner.  Jordan is a junior at Boston Latin School and began his crew career as a freshman.  Never having a huge interest in any of the sports he had previously tried, he decided just to give it a shot and walk on to the novice crew.  Never did he think that it would spark a passion so deep that it would become a huge part of his life.  Last year, Jordan volunteered at the HOTC to be around the action and made a goal to row in the race the following year.  Through hard work and determination both with his Boston Latin School training as well as rowing with West Cambridge Rowing and competing at the Royal Henley Regatta in Canada, Jordan was able to make that dream come true this past weekend.

Racing in the Men’s Youth Eights, a total of 85 crews braved the frigid New England day, on the tricky Charles River course.  Friends, family and fellow crews lined the shoreline to cheer them on!  Although our local crew didn’t quite place where they would have liked, coming in at 53rd they nearly missed the cutoff to qualify for next year, they rowed amazingly and we are so proud that they were able to compete in this incredible Worldwide race.  We look forward to tracking Jordan’s performance as he continues to compete in this incredible sport!  Congratulations Jordan!

Jordan is the third from the left!