Let’s Row at Community Rowing

Community Rowing, Inc. (CRI) is honored to announce it has received a generous grant from Liberty Mutual Insurance to support its Let’s Row program.

Let’s Row creates pathways to rowing for youth from under-resourced districts. The program partners with public middle schools and community organizations to cultivate accessibility and inclusion in the sport of rowing.

“Let’s Row has brought rowing directly to youth in Boston’s backyard for 10 years,” said Ted Benford, Executive Director of CRI. “Last year, we expanded to Cambridge Upper Schools. We’re grateful for Liberty Mutual’s support which has been vital to our community. This recent grant recognizes the impact of Let’s Row and the transformative opportunities of rowing.”

“Great rowing teaches you that you need each other to move forward,” said Javier Suarez, Manager of Middle School Programs and a Let’s Row alumnus. “Let’s Row provides opportunities for kids of all backgrounds and experiences to come together and grow through rowing.”

The Let’s Row Program is available to participating students at no-cost. Each segment of the program is designed to remove historical and current barriers to cultivate diversity and inclusion.

Middle School Visits

Coaches bring rowing machines directly to youth through middle school visits during physical education classes. As part of a four-week curriculum, these visits incorporate games, peer support, and competition in each lesson plan. About 5,000 students are engaged across 40 public schools.

On-water Field Trips

Participating schools may come to the boathouse for on-water field trips to deepen students' rowing experience. Coaches refresh technique on rowing machines and then students jump on the water in stable, 12-person “barges” while supported in lifejackets.

Let’s Row Championships

Students get a first taste of competitive rowing at the annual Let’s Row Championships—a fun, LOUD day of racing for school pride. The Let’s Row Championships is the largest youth indoor regatta in the country, hosting more than 1,000 students from 20 schools each year at the TRACK at New Balance for a highly competitive and exciting event.

Transportation, catered lunch, and activities are provided at no-cost, thanks to generous support from supporters like Liberty Mutual.

Let’s Row Scholarship

Many students develop an interest in rowing through the Let’s Row Program. All participants are encouraged to pursue rowing at Community Rowing and can apply for financial scholarships. In 2023, over 80 scholarships were awarded to Let’s Row participants.

Let’s Row Fellowship

The Let’s Row Fellowship is an opportunity for teachers who want to develop their coaching education while earning a summer income. In addition to earning a certification, teachers will also learn more about the youth programs available to their students at CRI.

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Community Rowing Inc. was founded in 1985 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to the belief that the sport of rowing provides unique opportunities to promote personal and community growth through teamwork, discipline, and physical fitness. We invite individuals of all backgrounds, abilities and experience to grow through rowing.