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Our Boys in the Boat

Our Boys in the Boat is a series about the legacy of Whatcom and Skagit County rowers on the University of Washington crew that won Olympic gold in 1936, depicted in the book and movie “The Boys In The Boat.”

Story by Meri-Jo Borzilleri // Photos and video by Hailey Hoffman

A woman in a boat on the lake rows among teammates.

Popular book, movie buzz is a boon for Whatcom rowing club

‘The Boys In The Boat’ inspires rowers who range in age from 12 to 79

Part one explores the Whatcom Rowing Association’s growth linked to the 2013 book.

Olympic rower left remarkable 1936 diary

UW rower Don Hume kept a detailed account of the team's efforts to win gold

Part two includes excerpts from Don Hume’s diary that he kept during the 1936 Olympics.

Don Hume and Gordy Adam grew up in Skagit and Whatcom counties

Part three explores two members of the crew whose lives were untold.

BITB_14011_R

(l-r.) Luke Slattery stars as Bobby Moch, Jack Mulhern as Don Hume, Wil Coban as Jim McMillin, Tom Varey as Johnny White, Callum Turner as Joe Rantz, Sam Strike as Roger Morris and Thomas Elms as Chuck Day in director George Clooney’s

THE BOYS IN THE BOAT

An Amazon MGM Studios film

Photo credit: Laurie Sparham

© 2023 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.

George Clooney film 'captured spirit of this story,' author says

Part four details the re-creation of the University of Washington’s shell house for the movie set, and author Daniel James Brown’s reaction to the film.

‘Boys in the Boat’ fame saved the structure with hopes of restoration

Part five highlights the resurrection of the University of Washington’s shell house after it was nearly torn down.