The Aqua Donnes shove off and head down river to the starting line.

Photo Credit: David Esposito

Carlie, Ria, Blair, Nancyann and members of the Aqua Donnes take part in a pre-rowing cheer.

Photo Credit: David Esposito

Aqua Donnes team mascot, Bella, sports a pink tutu.

Photo Credit: David Esposito

Diana Guaglione and other members of team Motley Crew prepare their boat for racing.

Photo Credit: David Esposito

The Aqua Donnes place their boat into the water.

Photo Credit: David Esposito

Team "The Rowing Wounded" stroke hard winning the first race of the day.

Photo Credit: David Esposito

Carlie Tardino helps her teammates carry their row boat to the dock.

Photo Credit: David Esposito

Members of team Barracuda head onto the dock with their row boat.

Photo Credit: David Esposito

Members of team "Oarsome 8" gather for a photo.

Photo Credit: David Esposito

Trophies and medals were awarded to all the winners of the 2010 Community Challenge.

Photo Credit: David Esposito

Melanie Jacobi, Director of Outreach Programs for Norwalk Rowing watches as the racers approach the finish line.

Photo Credit: David Esposito

Many gathered and lined the riverside to watch the 2010 Community Challenge in Norwalk.

Photo Credit: David Esposito

The Rowing Wounded know how to get the Motion in the Ocean going for an Oarsome time. No, these aren't just rowing puns – they were three of the teams of first time and experienced rowers competing in the second annual Community Challenge presented by the Norwalk River Rowing Association.

Teachers, marketing agents, communications specialists, finance associates and many others formed rowing teams, even though many had never tried the sport before. About 170 rowers of all skill levels came out to dip their oars in the Norwalk River and compete for bragging rights and have some fun along the way.

Rowers with previous experience competed in the Defender Class, while the more novice rowers, the Challenger Class, got six weeks of training from the NRRA's coaches leading up to the event.

"Most of these people have never rowed before," NRRA board member Michael Gaylord said. "Hopefully a lot of these people will say, 'I want to stick with this and continue to row.'

The event was slightly in doubt with dark storm clouds on the horizon, but it seemed like nothing was going to slow down the beginning rowers from showing off their new skills.

"The purpose of this is to introduce rowing to a whole new population," Catharine Lavine, who coached a Challenger Class team of mothers of youth rowers, said. "I'm a mother of rowers so I know it's fun to bond with my kids over rowing. Now these moms say they go home and get pointers from their kids and they understand what they're talking about. It's been an awful lot of fun."

Full results of the event will be posted here soon.