The Nassau Rowing Club (NRC) looks to nurture the growing interest in the sport locally by hosting its fourth annual Learn to Row camp this month, beginning on Monday June 20.
The week-long sessions are designed to introduce high school students, aged 12 and older, to rowing from the basic technique on the rowing machine to rowing as a crew.
“Our goal is to take students who may have never seen rowing outside the Olympics and give them a taste of the sport. Most rowing camps in the United States can cost an upward of $600 per week, but we’re offering top-level and individualized instructions for only $150 per week,” said Coach Anthony “AC” Chacon, head coach of the men’s rowing team at California State University.
Chacon, who will head the sessions, is looking forward to working with the campers next week. He also encourages local fans of the sport to get behind Emily Morley, who will be the first ever Bahamian rower to compete in the Olympics this summer. Morley was awarded a wildcard entry for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics after she placed 10th at the FISA (International Rowing Federation) Olympic Rowing Qualification Regatta for the Americas in Valparaíso, Chile, March 22-24.
The Summer Olympics is set for August 5-21 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
“It’s an honor and a privilege to be a part of planting the seed of rowing in Bahamian sporting culture,” said Chacon. “I look forward to seeing some of the students come out to the camp, and be inspired to race up the competition circuit to join Emily as she creates an Olympic rowing legacy for the country.”
The NRC junior rowing program has a storied history, producing the first rowing crew from The Bahamas to compete at the Miami International Regatta in 2013, and the first international crew (the double sculls crew of Lex Fountain and William Stanhope) to compete in the FISA World Rowing Junior Championships in Rio de Janeiro last year.
Along with the chance to represent the country on an international stage, NRC President Kyle Chea said that there are a lot of collegiate opportunities in the sport, particularly for women.
“We’re really hoping to take advantage of numerous NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) scholarships available for female rowers – the most after American Football. Our network of coaches in the United States is really excited at this prospect,” he said.
The NRC, in a continuing drive to increase access to rowing locally, is also offering financial assistance to participants from government schools in New Providence.
To register for the camp, or to receive more information, the public is encouraged to contact the NRC at NassauRowingClub@gmail.com, and explore past activities at Facebook.com/NassauRowingClub.
The Nassau Rowing Club is a not-for-profit organization, and was established on August 10, 2012 with the aim of developing the premier competitive rowing program in The Bahamas for rowers of all experience, age and fitness levels. The club is supported by Holowesko Pyfrom Fletcher, Counsel & Attorneys-at-Law; Bahamas Medical Center; John Bull; Asa H. Pritchard Ltd.; Super Value; Lennox Paton Corporate Services Ltd.; Solomon’s Fresh Markets; Odyssey Aviation; W.E. Services; Powerboat Adventures; Higgs & Kelly, Counsel & Attorneys-at-Law; PCL Imports; Cole Insurance; SunTee EmbroidMe; SMG Construction & Millwork; and Disston Realty.
Randy Smith, Guardian Sports Reporter
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