Sarasota Scullers Youth Rowing Program Inc

OUR HISTORY

In the spring of 1991, at Riverview High School in Sarasota, FL, a group of about 100 students came out to hear about an idea to form a youth rowing club. Some of them started rowing immediately and on July 13, 1991, a small group of students traveled to Tampa where they competed in their first regatta, the Sunshine Games, as the Sarasota Scullers since Riverview High School had yet to commit a sponsor for the team. They brought home two gold medals. Thus began a tradition of commitment and excellence, with the team practicing twice a day, six days a week, working hard to catch up and perfect the skills necessary to compete successfully in the upcoming season.  

The team originally raced as Riverview High School with the Sarasota Scullers Youth Rowing Program created as an umbrella organization in order to raise the funds to purchase the equipment as well as to permit rowing to expand into the other area schools.   After just four years, the Scullers had introduced rowing to over 1000 students in Sarasota county and began the first summer program to introduce rowing to 7th and 8th graders. The club traveled to Atlanta, Boston, Cincinnati, Charleston, Philadelphia, England, San Diego as well as many cities right here in Florida.

In 2010 the Scullers were ranked #1 in the state of Florida and brought home the first medal for Sarasota county from the Junior National Championships. And, in both 2011 and 2012, the club once again earned medals at the National Championships.

A combination of academic and athletic achievements, along with a commitment to community service, contribute to higher recruitment interest from the top colleges and universities. Many rowers have been awarded scholarships and improved their options to get into their college of choice, including the top Ivy League schools.

OUR MISSION

Now in its 24th season, the Sarasota Scullers Youth Rowing Program maintains much of its original purpose: (i) to promote fitness, health, and good sportsmanship, as well as high moral and civic standards, in the youth of the community through the sport of rowing; (ii) to help fulfill the pressing need for safe and healthy recreational, educational and social activities for local youth; and (iii) to foster and encourage a spirit of respect and care for our pristine waterways and local coastal environment.