Iowa State crew club president discusses boat’s capsizing

AMES, Iowa (AP) — The president of the Iowa State University student crew club says winds that had been forecast to remain low picked up suddenly, causing a boat to capsize before the crew could return to shore, drowning two members on March 28. 

Crew Club President Alexis Aurandt told WHO-TV over the weekend that after crew members rowed onto the lake, the winds picked up out of nowhere, and the crew’s boat was surrounded by 1-foot waves. 

She says after the crew turned to get back to shore, a wave went under the boat and knocked it over. Crew members were not wearing life vests but all crew members had passed swim tests. 

The university and a national rowing association are investigating the accident.