West Seattle Blog… | YOUTH SPORTS: The Duwamish Rowing Club relaunches its program for teenagers

(Photos courtesy of Duwamish Rowing Club)

THE Duwamish Rowing Club lets you know that it is relaunching its program for high school students this summer! From the announcement:

Duwamish Rowing Club is a volunteer-run organization dedicated to providing affordable rowing opportunities on Seattle's only river. Our organization operates on a site generously donated by a neighbor to introduce rowing to youth in our community and cultivate a space that promotes discipline, teamwork, perseverance and enhances personal growth and self-confidence. Our adult rowers support our youth programs by donating their time and subsidizing program costs.

During the pandemic, our youth rowing program was temporarily paused. In February 2024, our volunteers relaunched our youth rowing team through a partnership with Rainier Prep Middle School, a charter school located just minutes from our boathouse. Throughout the winter and spring, a sixteen-week rowing program introduced 16 students to rowing, first through an eight-week supervised land-based program using rowers at their middle school , followed by another eight-week supervised program on the water. Financial support from the George Pocock Rowing Foundation allowed us to hire our new coaches, Head Youth Coach McKenna Niemer and Assistant Youth Coach Jay Olson. The Washington State Parks Boater Program donated 24 life jackets to help us meet our safety requirements to welcome students not only to the Duwamish River, but also to the greater community of rowing.

In June, we are focusing on high school athletes, offering a new introductory summer program to prepare new rowers for our fall rowing season.

You can find out more about what they've been up to so far and what's to come by clicking here. This flyer contains information about two sessions for teens this summer, including dates and costs.