Dear Editor,

What a prize you have in gifted writer Carol Harrison. Her recent article featuring the visit to our community by Paralympic rower Aerial Gilbert was absolutely wonderful.

Our club, the Humboldt Bay Rowing Association, a nonprofit community organization dedicated to providing access to the sport of rowing for people of all ages, hosted Gilbert, who is blind, at a variety of events during her weekend visit.

Harrison and photographer Tyson Ritter were at our boathouse during a particularly stellar Humboldt Bay sunset, and beautifully captured Gilbert’s presentation and on-water practice with our junior team. Harrison thoughtfully and accurately represented not only the sport we love so much, but the amazing role model that Gilbert has become for all of us in the larger rowing community.

Harrison’s well-written feature brought Gilbert’s indomitable spirit and strength to life for all of her readers, and a piece as well-done as this one deserves recognition.

Thanks to The Eureka Reporter for turning out such a fine story, and to Carol Harrison for taking the time and effort to present a piece about a woman whose courage will continue to provide inspiration to us for a long time to come.

Adrienne McConnell

head coach, Humboldt Bay Rowing Association