Living Shoreline Anyone who has observed the Gunston shoreline over the years might comment on the incredible toll that Chesapeake Bay shoreline erosion has taken on our waterfront. Most recent alums may not realize that the floor of the current boathouse was sand as few as just ten years ago! Current sailors and rowers comment that the boathouse’s wooden floor sits nearly two feet above the lapping high tide, as the sand under the building migrates across our beach. Gunston’s ties to the water are strong and we feel that it is both our responsibility and our duty to preserve use of the waterfront for the next hundred years. Recognizing this, a committee of administrators, alums, trustees and friends have embarked on a plan to preserve our facility. We are currently submitting a grant to the Chesapeake Bay Trust to fund the construction of a Living Shoreline which will include a rock sill, sand and plantings to restore and recreate the natural habitat lost through the years. We are extremely lucky that our project falls within the parameters of a Sea Level Study being conducted by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The DNR, along with the Corsica River Conservancy, are helping Gunston develop a living shoreline design that will enable our property to be part of a Chesapeake Baywide study on the effects of sea level rise into the next century. It is exciting for Gunston to be part of this study, as it will allow us an opportunity to involve our own science department and student body in research intended to benefit shoreline communities around the world.
Waterfront With over forty-five student-athletes participating, Gunston watersports are a popular draw to students in both fall and spring. Rowing in particular has seen tremendous growth recently. A generous gift from the Maykranz family made possible the purchase of a lightlyused, eight-person shell from Rutgers University, which allowed us to become a more competitive team. This past year, new Head Coach John Hill and Assistant Coach Andrew Newell led nearly thirty student-athletes in both the fall and spring rowing season. With renewed excitement, the Gunston rowers competed in four events over the spring, including a one-day home regatta that resulted in an impressive and close win against local powerhouse rival The Freedom Rowers. The sailing team continues to flourish with a committed group of mariners. Despite being a small squad this spring, they managed to compete in seven varsity events across Maryland, and finished 6th in the MASSA Central League Champs, narrowly missing a berth in the MASSA Championships. 5