L.A. River Rowing Team Hits Rock Bottom
The beleaguered L.A. River Rowing Team runs aground, starts hunger protest and vows not leave river until county demolishes concrete infrastructure...
by George Wolfe
DOWNTOWN L.A. — The ongoing record dry spell in Southern California is taking its toll on the sculling community, as coxswain and oarsmen alike are just barely scraping by.
Still, the doggedly stubborn L.A. River Rowers are digging in their heels, refusing to let the weather control their lives.
"Here in L.A., river rowing isn't just about water. That's so reductionist."
— Kraus Paterski, coxswain
Unfortunately for them, the river itself isn't cooperating. While inland counties have received their share of rain, Los Angeles County remains in a dry spell and the river has been reduced to a trickle, barely enough to wet the concrete bottom of much of the 52-mile river length.
"Here in L.A., river rowing isn't just about water," explains coxswain Kraus Paterski. "That's so reductionist. We like to say we have a Zen-like, Phil Jackson approach: If the water is there, we'll use it; if it's not there, we'll make due with what we're given — and if that means we have to do a little grinding, then so be it."
Common sense, fatigue or a natural sense of shame might've quelled these rowers' desires in greater men, but the contrarian-minded group has chosen to use their grounding experience to call attention to the grassroots "Take Back The River" movement by collectively fasting. "We were sitting here high and dry, in the middle of this concrete stretch, feeling pretty depressed," continues Paterski, "when one of the guys had the idea for a hunger strike!"
Despite pleas by the crewmembers' various partners at home, the crew remains committed to the fast — now in its 21st day. Already two members have perished and were tossed overboard into the LA River in a "water burial."
The group says it won't eat unless the county agrees to break up the concrete river and restore it to a more natural, soft-bottomed condition. County officials have issued decrees for the group to disband, but the group hasn't budged.
As of this late afternoon, amid ninety-five-degree heat, several buzzards were seen slowly circling the famished group, hoping for a few handouts.
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