REAL Exclusive Magazine

Southeastern Regional Rowing Championship.

May 8th and 9th the 2010 Southeast Regional Youth Rowing Championship takes place at Nathan Benderson Park. The park is located at I-75 and University Parkway on the Sarasota-Manatee County line. The two-day event is expected to draw over 12,000 attendees and 1,500 competitors.

The economic benefits for the area through the three rowing events held here this Spring are estimated to be as high as $2.5 million and include more than 30,000 total attendees.
 
The vision for the future in the rowing community here is bright. The site is being master-planned to ensure environmental and neighborhood compatibilities. Currently underway are plans for capital improvements to the course, for the creation of a non-profit Foundation to steer development, and presentation of a Master Park Plan to the County in July.

Later this year, a groundbreaking will mark the start of construction of a 2,000-meter rowing racecourse. Designed to meet strict NCAA and FISA international standards, the course is slated to be ready for the 2011 racing season. Officials hope to secure the NCAA rowing championships in May 2012. Even higher sights are set for World Cup and World championship bids in 2015.

Community rowing will be the backbone of this sport. It will be inclusive, not exclusive, benefiting the entire community; the local leadership team is committed to forming partnerships with schools and non-profit organizations. The sport provides health and fitness opportunities for all residents, including disadvantaged youth and those that are physically and mentally challenged. “We are all equal on the water,” says Bruce Smith, Executive Director of Community Rowing, Inc., a Boston-based rowing club that is the largest in the world.  

The reach of rowing extends much further than Sarasota and Manatee counties. Smith is just back from Iraq, yet plans to be in town this weekend for the Championship event. Amidst the ongoing bombings and violence in Iraq, Smith, along with another American, coached a group of rowers for four days last week on a lake in Kurdistan. Smith is here so soon after returning to the U.S. because he has formed a unique alliance with the local group and feels strongly about showing his support.

Smith also stated, “I am very excited to work with Sarasota County to design and deliver a new World-Class Rowing Venue, which will have not only a lasting economic and social impact, but also will create the best rowing venue in the western hemisphere, and perhaps the entire world!”