Each year in October, rowers from all over the globe descend on
Cambridge, Massachusetts for the world’s largest rowing
competition: The Head of the Charles Regatta. Real estate advisor
Rob Ramsdell, of
Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty’s Cambridge
office at 1762 Massachusetts Avenue, has been deeply involved in
the sport of rowing and this historic regatta for years. Watch
below as he catches up with Shark Tank’s Kevin
O’Leary, and read on to hear more from Rob about his role as
Chair of the House Committee at the Cambridge Boat Club and
what HOCR means to Cambridge.
Tell us a bit about the Head of the Charles and the
significance of the Regatta.
The Head of the Charles was started in 1965 and was
initially a small event. Over the years it’s grown into the
largest rowing event in the world. Over 9000 athletes travel from
across the globe to participate in the 3 mile race on the Charles
River. In addition to the racing, the course is also lined with
vendors and sponsors, creating a festive atmosphere. Good weather
is a big plus and the forecast looks great for this
weekend!
How did you first get involved in rowing?
I played basketball, soccer, and baseball at my tiny high
school in rural northern Vermont. When I got to Brown University
for college, I heard rowing was a sport that embraced walk-on
athletes. I went out for the team, and it was a major part of my
experience in college. Most of my enduring friendships are former
teammates, and the challenge and excitement of competing at the
collegiate level in a new sport was incredibly rewarding. I took a
25 year break from the sport and returned when my son started
rowing in high school. Watching him made me realize how much I
missed it. I now row at the Cambridge Boat Club (CBC) which is the
boathouse with the blue shutters at the Eliot Bridge. It’s an
amazing community of people, and I’m so fortunate to have
incredible access to the Charles River. I’m Chair of the House
Committee at CBC, which means I get to help coordinate the ongoing
efforts to maintain and improve this historic boathouse.
What aspects of your experiences as a rower and leader
carry over to your “day job” as a real estate
agent?
Moving a boat smoothly and quickly through the water is
incredibly satisfying and rewarding. Doing it well requires focus,
persistence, and a competitive drive. It’s also important to
have a keen awareness of your surroundings, and when in team boats,
the ability to work well together is essential. All of these
characteristics of the sport transfer to other aspects of life and
certainly to my work as a real estate agent. Keeping everything
moving smoothly towards a shared goal and partnering closely with
my clients to achieve a desirable outcome is the “work”
and a great source of satisfaction.
Any can’t-miss races during this year’s
HOCR?
There are over 72 events across the 3 days of the Head of
The Charles. There are athletes from their teens to eighties
competing in every configuration of boat — singles, doubles,
pairs, fours, quads, and eights. There are world champions, high
school and collegiate teams, and people who row on their own. Check
out the list of events here. I will be racing in the Senior Masters
Double event at 10:10am on Friday and also in the Director’s
Challenge Mixed Eight event on Sunday at 3:38pm.
The Head of the Charles Regatta is just one of
Cambridge’s rich historic traditions. What else do you love
about this city?
My four kids have all attended the Cambridge Public Schools
and my wife, Meg, is the Executive Director of Cambridge School
Volunteers, which places over 900 volunteers across the public
schools. Our family has greatly benefited from all of the
opportunities the city offers. There are incredible universities
and businesses, amazing cultural opportunities, and a wonderful mix
of people. We are very lucky to be a part of such a vibrant
community.