Members of a high school rowing team were rescued from Washington Channel on Monday after their boats flipped in high winds and choppy waters, officials say.
Four boats being rowed by members of St. John's College High School during a practice overturned near the 14th Street Bridge, forcing the students into the water. Seventeen rowers were evaluated, D.C. Fire and EMS Battalion Chief Sean Greene said.
All of the rowers were rescued and no one was hurt, officials said. The students walked barefoot and draped in towels near the Potomac River after they were rescued.
Information on what disturbed the boats was not released immediately. Winds in the area gusted as high as 40 mph Monday afternoon, Storm Team4 said.
“They were here training and drilling … but it is very high winds, 2-3 foot waves out here, little choppy,” Greene said.
Washington Channel is the body of water that runs southeast of the Tidal Basin, bordered to the west by East Potomac Park and Hains Point.
Officials initially said a single boat had capsized in the channel.
