Competing in one of the largest regattas in the world didn't faze nine members of the Corvallis Rowing Club.

They turned in a nearly flawless performance to take first place in the men's grand master eight race Oct. 17 at the 45th Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston, which featured more than 8,500 rowers this year.

And they did it in convincing fashion, too. Their time of 17:39 bested the second-place finisher by 17 seconds. Teams participating in grand master events have an average age of 60 and older. The Corvallis team's members range in age from 48 to 67, and all of them are Corvallis residents.

"We were very excited," said Bob Poole, a member of the Corvallis Rowing Club since 1998. "We had been practicing very hard for the race. It was a very satisfying win considering the level of competition."

Just how impressive was the Corvallis Rowing Club team's victory?

The men's grand master eight race was combined with the men's senior master race, which features teams with average ages of 50 and older. Out of 34 teams, the Corvallis Rowing Club finished 16th. There were three other grand master teams competing in the race.

Steve Rogers, who has been with the club since it formed in 1993, referred to race as a coxswain race because the team relied heavily on its coxswain, Craig Tokuda, to navigate the 3.2-mile course on the Charles River. The coxswain (pronounced "cox'n") sits in the back and steers the boat.

"It was not an easy, straight course," Rogers said. "We had to go under seven or eight bridges, and there were a lot of turns, too. But we never had to pass anyone."

The team lucked out with the weather as well. Rogers said the forecast had called for rain and high winds the day of their race. However, it turned out to be sunny with a light breeze. Rowers the following day had to endure not only rain, but even snow.

Other team members were Doug Urey, Walt Manning, John Elder, John Frohnmayer, Tom Taylor and Kerry Ahearn.

Two women from the Corvallis Rowing Club also were big winners at the regatta. They rowed with Masters Coaching, which won the women's grand master eight race.

This year marked the third straight year a Corvallis Rowing Club men's team participated in the Head of the Charles Regatta. A return trip next October seems likely.

"Racing there three straight years and now winning gives us credibility," Rogers said. "We need to defend our title."

Raju Woodward can be reached at 758-9526 or raju.woodward@lee.net.