Crew Race

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The United States Military Academy at West Point men's varsity crew team coach, Jeff Paine, rates the individuals on their performance and considers which members to switch. Coach Paine is trying to find the perfect combination for the varsity team. The teammates are vying against each other for a spot on the varsity crew team. Started in 1985, the crew team has been coming to Eglin for three years for spring break to practice their technique, speed and teamwork. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Stacia Zachary)

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Crew Race

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The United States Military Academy at West Point crew team switch boats mid-water to see who is the better teammate for the varsity boat. The teammates are vying against each other for a spot on the varsity crew team. Started in 1985, the crew team has been coming to Eglin for three years for spring break to practice their technique, speed and teamwork. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Stacia Zachary)

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Crew Race

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The United States Military Academy at West Point crew team practices for four-minute intervals on Boggy Bayou while their coxman guides them to their destination. The teammates are vying against each other for a spot on the varsity crew team. Started in 1985, the crew team has been coming to Eglin for three years for Spring Break to practice their technique, speed and teamwork. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Stacia Zachary)

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Crew Race

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The United States Military Academy at West Point male crew team practices on Boggy Bayou, Niceville. Started in 1985, the crew team has been coming to Eglin for three years for Spring Break to practice their technique, speed and teamwork. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Stacia Zachary)

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Crew Race

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- A member from the Army West Point Academy Male Crew Team takes oars out to the skulls on Boggy Bayou. Starterd in 1985, the crew team has been coming to Eglin for three years for Spring Break to practice their technique, speed and teamwork. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Stacia Zachary)

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Crew Race

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Members from The United States Military Academy at West Point varsity male crew team launch a skull into the Boggy Bayou. Started in 1985, the crew team has been coming to Eglin for three years for spring break to practice their technique, speed and teamwork. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Stacia Zachary)

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Crew Race

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Members from the The United States Military Academy at West Point female Crew team launch a skull into the Boggy Bayou. Started in 1985, the crew team has been coming to Eglin for three years for spring break to practice their technique, speed and teamwork. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Stacia Zachary)

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Manual Check

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The United States Military Academy at West Point cadet Plebe Tom Mussman ensures the equipment is ready for use prior to launching the skull into the Boggy Bayou. Started in 1985, the crew team has been coming to Eglin for three years for spring break to practice their technique, speed and teamwork. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Stacia Zachary)

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Manual Check

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The United States Military Academy at West Point Plebe Tom Mussman ensures the shoes are tight and ready for use prior to launching the skull into the Boggy Bayou. Started in 1985, the crew team has been coming to Eglin for three years for spring break to practice their technique, speed and teamwork. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Stacia Zachary)

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Manual Check

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The United States Military Academy at West Point Plebe Tom Mussman tightens down the wing nuts ensuring all the equipment is ready to be used prior to launching the skull into the Boggy Bayou. Started in 1985, the crew team has been coming to Eglin for three years for spring break to practice their technique, speed and teamwork. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Stacia Zachary)

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Crew Fever

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Army cadets from The United States Military Academy at West Point prepare to lauch their skull in Boggy Bayou, Niceville. Around since 1985, the crew team has been coming to Eglin for three years for spring break to practice their technique, speed and teamwork. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Stacia Zachary)

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Crew team creates stir on water

Published March 21, 2008
By Staff Sgt. Stacia Zachary
96 Air Base Wing Public Affairs

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The United States Military Academy at West Point crew teams are practcing their speed, strength and technique as well as deciding on who will be on the varsity and junior varsity teams.

The teams have been here for two weeks during their spring break and will leave April 24, when they will return to the academy in New York to begin their competition schedule.

There are two types of skulls the crew team used for competition: the eight-man boat and the four-man boat. Each team is accompanied by a coxman who helps direct them to the end goal and also encourages them throughout the race and practices.

The United States Military Academy at West Point crew team was created in 1985 and has come to Eglin practice during their spring break for three years.

Crew Race

Crew Race

Crew Race

Crew Race

Crew Race

Crew Race

Crew Race

Manual Check

Manual Check

Manual Check

Crew Fever