PITTSBURGH — High winds and rough waters Monday afternoon caught the North Allegheny Rowing Association off-guard, sending them into the chilly current.
"There were a bunch of big waves, whitecaps, that started swamping the boat, and it got to a point where the boat was underwater,” said Josh Thompson.
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A total of nine high school students found themselves in the water.
"Our boathouse recently burned down, which was horrible luck, and we're rowing with all new boats and so we accidentally took the lightweight instead of the heavyweight," said Thompson.
Thompson said all of the rowers bailed out quickly, and their coaches threw everyone a life jacket.
"We all helped each other swim back to the marina over there, and we got up safe,” said Thompson.
River rescue teams responded to help, but the teens were able to make it out of the water themselves.
They brought in their oars and went inside the boathouse to warm up.
“It was quite an experience,” said Thompson.
WPXI
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