OEWRS Mixed Team (aka POO)
The OEWRS Mixed Team was originally formed as the Port of Oakland (POO) Rowing Team in the early 1980's by the Port with the purchase of a wooden monomoy "whaleboat" which was renamed Razzle Dazzle in tribute to author and local legend, Jack London.
Initally the team was formed from Port employees. The Port eventually came to view the program, which became dominated by local non-employees, as a good way to reach out to the community, exposing the area to the maritime history of the Oakland Estuary as well as Port of Oakland operations from the water perspective.
The POO team has competed actively from the very start, traveling to a wide variety of locations. Besides competition, activitites have included transporting both the team and Razzle Dazzle to the New York bicentennial celebration of the newly restored Statue of Liberty.
Additionally, some members traveled to Greece in 1987 and participated in rowing the reconstructed trireme Olympias.
Team members have also competed in London on the River Thames and in Australia.
Alcatraz Race
In addition to its use by the Port of Oakland team, Razzle Dazzle has served as the work-out and race boat for several other racing teams, including: Ketos, Las Sirenas and the North Bay Vikings. Currently, Razzle Dazzle is rowed by POO and Ketos.
In 2009, in an effort to cut costs, the Port of Oakland choose to terminate its sponsorship of the rowing program and dispose of Razzle Dazzle. The Oakland Estuary Whaleboat Rowing Society (OEWRS) was formed to continue the community exposure to the maritime history of the Oakland Estuary as well as the improvement and development of rowers for the local, national and international whaleboat racing program.
