Three slim boats powered by single rowers sliced across the water in Hundred Acre Cove on Thursday morning.

The boats moved toward the White Church Bridge and then quickly passed underneath the span and continued south along the Barrington River. 

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Only for the last couple months have boats from the East Bay Rowing Club been allowed to access the stretch of water south of the White Church Bridge. According to club director Deb Sullivan, the boats can now travel for miles — from the no wake buoy near the bike path bridge all the way north to the mouth of the Runnins River.

"We can go anywhere now," said Ms. Sullivan. "It's great."

For years, the club was not permitted to cross under the White Church Bridge; construction barges and other equipment made passage by rowing sculls dangerous. But earlier this summer as work progressed on the bridge and barges were removed, the town council voted to allow the club to row under the span.

Ms. Sullivan said the change has greatly benefited the club. 

"All of East Bay Rowing is excited to be able to row under the White Church Bridge now," said Ms. Sullivan. "We are thankful the entire town council voted in favor of this change to our contract. Opening up this water allows for long stretches of training water, especially during low tide days." 

Ms. Sullivan said there are times when the wind in Hundred Acre Cove makes it difficult for rowers, and that the lower stretch of the river is better protected from the wind. She said that the cove can also become quite shallow during low tide.

"It's tough with the engine," she said, referencing the outboard on the back of the launch boat. 

On Thursday morning, three women rowed their single sculls south from Walker Farm — that's where East Bay Rowing stores its boats in-season — under the White Church Bridge and past the newly constructed kayak launch site behind the town hall property. 

The rowers then turned their boats around and began pushing north. The women rowed for about an hour, followed closely by Ms. Sullivan in the launch boat.

East Bay Rowing has grown in its first six years of operation. There are dozens of adults who participate in spring and fall sessions, and there are more than 100 kids in the youth program. 

"It's been great, in terms of numbers," said Ms. Sullivan.