Junior rowers from Ardglass Coastal Rowing Club get set for trip to ths US
The Ardglass Coastal Rowing Club Junior Rowing Team, in partnership with the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum is gathering support for a week-long expedition to the United States to train and compete alongside American youth rowing teams.
As the sport of open-water rowing gains popularity, rowing clubs on both sides of the Atlantic are seeing an increasing interest from rowers under of 19 yeears and under.
Meabh Curran, Youth Officer with Ardglass Coastal Rowing, said: “The current interest and enthusiasm of the youth rowing community is really exciting.
“It is important for our sport to ensure the sport survives in years to come. We have had to work hard to engage and retain young people and also ensure that a robust succession is in place in the club.
“Through competitions such as Skiffieworlds, the World Pilot Gig Championship, Castle to Crane and many others, the sport of open water rowing has grown to become more than just a regionally reaching activity.
Please donate to the Go Fund Me link to support this great twinning initiative.
“Our goal in traveling to the United States is to jumpstart the building of relationships with competitors from other parts of the world and continue to build on the already-increasing momentum of the international rowing community.”
Meabh Curran added: “To do this, we need your help.
“We have a group of eight eager rowers from County Down in Northern Ireland who are planning to travel to the US in October 2024.
“Upon arrival in Boston, Massachusetts, we will be treated to a row on Boston Harbour with local rowers from the Boston Rowing Club.
“And, while there, we will avail ourselves of Boston’s log-steeped Irish-American history.
“W”e will then travel by road to Vermont where our partners at the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum will welcome the Ardglass Coastal Rowing Club Junior Team for a week of rowing training and maritime skill building.
“T”he Ardglass CRC Junior Rowers will integrate with established American youth rowing teams for training and racing in their traditionally built six-oar Cornish Pilot Gigs and their already-familiar, four-oar, St. Ayles Skiffs.
“The week will culminate in a 3.5mile regatta on the Otter Creek, located in Vergennes, Vermont.”
Meabh said: “As rowers, parents, coaches and supporters we are fortunate to have a sport such as open-water rowing to act as a vehicle for such a diverse a dynamic community-building opportunity.
“We aim to use this opportunity to expand the perspectives of both the Irish and American rowers to the different approaches employed within our shared sport.
“We trust that this expedition will build and encourage life-long skills such as leadership, sportsmanship and teamwork. We may will even make new friends along the way.”
There is a sea monster reputed to live in the waters of Lake Champlain called ‘Champ‘, similar to the Loch Ness Monster. This will certainly help the County Down rowers to row that bit faster! So make sure you bring your cameras with you just in case it makes an appearance to shout on the rowers on!
Please consider supporting this worthwhile endeavor. It is through initiatives like this one that our communities continue to build healthy futures.
You can support the Ardglass CRC Young Rowers on the GO FUND ME link.
