The art of the oar

Sophia covers county politics, housing, and workforce issues. A Pacific Coast devotee, she grew up in Washington, studied in California and has worked in Oregon and Alaska.

Even if you know what you’re looking at, a 34-foot-long carbon fiber rowing shell strapped to the top of a GMC Yukon with Wyoming plates in downtown Jackson is a wild sight.

Standing on the sidewalk outside the county’s administration building on a bright mid-August morning, I was on the phone with my editor when such a setup parked beside me.

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Billy Cox prepares his double scull boat before a morning row. He rows three to four times a week in the summer.

Billy Cox lowers his carbon fiber boat into the water. The 80-year old continues to teach novices to row.

Billy Cox and reporter Sophia Boyd-Fliegel cut across Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park.

The Potomac River in Washington, D.C. is another favorite rowing site for Billy Cox.

Billy Cox rows on Jenny Lake with novices and experts alike.

Contact Sophia Boyd-Fliegel at county@jhnewsandguide or 307-732-7063.

Sophia covers county politics, housing, and workforce issues. A Pacific Coast devotee, she grew up in Washington, studied in California and has worked in Oregon and Alaska.

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