At last, Harvard's crew, indoors since last Thanksgiving, has taken to the water again.

Heavyweight coach Harry Parker described yesterday's conditions on the river as "essentially free of ice" for the first time. His oarsmen have been making sporadic forays onto the ice-choked Charles since last Wednesday, but now on-the-water training can begin in earnest.

Parker is pleased with his crew's performance during the winter months. The taciturn coach says weight-lifting and running in the stadium have been "on a par" with previous years, "if not better." He emphasizes that he is "happy to be outside" once again.

Andrew Larkin '68, who rowed number six in last year's phenomenal varsity shell says "The winter is a building time, but for me it's a waiting time, too. If you're interested in rowing you'd might as well row. I'm happy to be out there again."

Last year, the river was very late in breaking up, even later than this season. Usually, the crew is out of Newell Boathouse by the end of the first week in March.

First race: the Stein Cup against Brown, Rutgers and Northeastern on the Charles, April 20.