Port Rowing Excels on National Stage

Port Rowing wrapped up another successful Spring Racing season June 9-12th at the USRowing Youth National Championships in Sarasota, Florida where 40 of the team’s athletes raced against top teams from all over the country.

The team qualified for the championship after nabbing top spots at the New York State Championship in Saratoga Springs, NY on May 14th and 15th. There, the Boys U17 4x and the top two eights from both the boys and girls Varsity squads placed top 4- securing their bids to compete down south.

After a successful State Championship, both teams traveled to Sarasota, FL for the USRowing Youth National Championship Regatta. This was Port Rowing’s largest group in team history to compete at the event. The team qualified 40 Athletes which is a testament to the depth and dedication of all the athletes and coaches.

“All the work that we have done this year has brought us to this point. I am extremely proud of all the athletes for keeping their priorities in order, and for working hard to earn the right to compete at this new level. The future is bright for Port Rowing- and it takes everyone’s efforts in order to make it become reality.” Said Boys Head Coach Donnie Jensen.

The Boy’s U17 4x finished the weekend with the team’s top result- a 10th place finish. The girls 2nd 8 was able to win the C-Final to finish 13th in the nation, while the Boys Varsity 8+ and Girls Varsity 8+ finished in 29th and 25th, respectively.

“We were able to have such a successful year because of buy-in from the team and community. Our rowers really committed to each other this season. We had a couple of first year rowers in key positions.” Said Girls Head Coach Isa Rahman. “This affirms our position of being a no cut program. We will teach anyone in the community that comes through our doors how to row, it’s never too late to start.”

While the National Championship marks the end of the Spring racing season that began back in March, many of the Port Rowing Seniors will be have been recruited by colleges and will continue their rowing careers next year at schools such as Brown University, Bucknell University, Cornell University, Colgate University, Tufts University, the University of Virginia and the University of Wisconsin.

Port Rowing starts a series of 2 week learn to row camps, open to all in the community with dates starting on June 27th, July 11th, July 25th and August 8th. Port Rowing is a community based program offering rowing for youth and adult participants throughout Nassau county and Queens.