The women's varsity heavyweight crew team doesn't usually wear pearls to practice.

But Tuesday was not your average day.

That was when former first lady Barbara Bush and several wives and girlfriends of golfers playing in the Brookline, Mass., Ryder Cup visited Weld Boathouse, ostensibly for lunch and a crew demonstration.

But by the end of the afternoon, the rowers found themselves in the Charles with some of the more daring of the visitors--as Bush gracefully waved to them from the shore.

"They made up for lack of skill with enthusiasm," said rower Alexa B. du Pont '00 of the women who hopped into the boat, ignoring their miniskirts and other dressy attire.

The group included Melissa Lehman, Amy Mickelson, Shari Pate and Tiger Woods' girlfriend Holly Finchem.

Mayme K. Hostetter '01, another rower, and du Pont decided to play homage to Bush by wearing her trademark jewelry.

"We were pretty perked up by the whole affair, so we dusted off the pearls and the unisuits," Hostetter said.

None of the team had much interaction with Bush, but du Pont said they shared one exchange as she warmed up for the demonstration.

"She said, 'Oh, stretching is good for you,'" du Pont said. "I'll hold that near and dear."

The boat of eight rowers and one coxswain showed the women an example of some rowing by paddling back and forth of the boat house.

The team took a picture with the women and invited them to return in athletic clothes one day for a real lesson.

But although du Pont enjoyed the special occasion, she admits she had no idea who any of the visitors were except for Bush.

"I don't really follow golf," she said.