Well, they did it! Our athletes rowed on their ergs from 6 am to midnight combining for a total distance of over 424,000 meters (that's more than 263 miles) and raised as of 9/14 a total of $8,158- AND YOU CAN STILL DONATE! Click the donate button below. And thank you to all who did donate and support these athletes.

Lots of fun under the sun (and wind) at the Greenlake Sprints...shortened to 500m due to wind but still a great day of racing for everyone!

Rowing at a regatta with 668 entries from 27 clubs, Tacoma Rowing athletes demonstrated impressive growth in their third year competing in Northwest Regional racing held on Vancouver Lake. We've progressed from 6 entries in our first year, to 7 in the second, to 10 this year. Last year we experienced our first boat to qualify for the A Final, and this year we had two : Blake Williams finished 5th overall in the Men's U-17 single scull race, and the Men's Quad with cox also qualified for their Final A race. Unhappily, their final race was cancelled due to lousy weather as was also the case for the Women's Novice 4x+. In other races, the Men's U-17 double scull won the B Final, the Women's Youth quad finished 4th in the B Final, the Men's Youth Double came in 7th in the Final B race, and the Women's Youth Double finished 3rd in the Final C race.

Polly has been volunteering her services as a coach and master boat repairer. We've even forgiven her for collegiate rowing at the Other UW (....Wisconsin).  Here's why she's super excited to be taking on this new responsibility, and why we're thrilled to have her on the Board:

"I’m delighted to be asked to join the board of an organization that truly aims to recruit from and support often underserved communities. Everyone I’ve worked with, athletes, coaches, parents, other volunteers are committed to bettering our team and making ours a welcoming and safe space."

Tacoma voters have an important opportunity this April. Prop 1, the Yes for Tacoma Parks bond, would invest up to $155 million in parks and community spaces across the city, funding more than 100 projects at over 40 locations. For Tacoma’s rowing community, this includes continued development of Waterway Park along the Thea Foss Waterway, improving shoreline access, launch points, and waterfront infrastructure that make it easier and safer to get out on the water. The bond also supports upgrades to parks, fields, and community centers like the People’s Center, the Center at Norpoint, and the STAR Center, while expanding access to quality green spaces in historically underserved neighborhoods.

We’re also kicking off April Action Days every Saturday this month from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Join us to connect with neighbors, enjoy coffee and donuts, get a quick training, and head out to knock doors in support of Tacoma’s parks. No experience is needed, we will provide everything you need to get started.

April 4: Franklin Park (Central Tacoma)

April 11: Center at Norpoint (Northeast Tacoma)

April 18: People’s Community Center (Hilltop)

April 25: Stewart Heights Park (South Tacoma)

To sign up to volunteer, visit: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdfS2MX6Uv-cjLvWAogDwIB28lJssjoNXtQjjKx3TRx3brbRQ/viewform 

Whether you’re out on the water or supporting from shore, this is our chance to invest in spaces that keep Tacoma active, connected, and thriving.

🗳️ Vote by April 28!
🔗 Learn more: yesfortacomaparks.com

Here's more from Parks Tacoma:

Thanks for your interest in the proposed bond package! Waterway Park is one of more than 100 projects included in the proposal. 

It sounds like you’re already familiar with the work completed at Waterway back in 2016. Schematic designs were made and goals for the park were set in 2021, which include maximizing boat storage and remodeling the existing Berg Scaffolding building, among others. (You can refresh your memory here: Waterway Park Project - Parks Tacoma)

If voters approve the current bond proposal, Parks would use funds for design only at Waterway Park. The project would be to update the design, permit and regulatory plans, bring them up to current standards and work with community to update the plan so it is ready for construction in a future bond package.

We know what an important asset Waterway Park is and we’re hopeful to make progress on improvements in the near future. Please let me know if you have any other questions. 

Best, 

Stacia 

Stacia Glenn |
Public Information Officer

Coach Sabrina Paulsen has agreed to return following Youth Nationals later this Spring!! She will serve as Head Coach and assume more admin duties than she formerly handled. Shout out to Sabrina!

Located for the 2nd year at the UW Tacoma YMCA, entries were up about 10% with 334 athletes competing. Again this year, ours was the only US Rowing national championship venue west of the Mississippi, so we hosted athletes from aound the West. Competition happened in 4 kinds of events over 244 classes:1 minute races, 2000 meter races, 2000 meter relays, and 500 meter sprints.  Classes are defined by gender, age, and degree of physical handicap. Against national competition in five venues connected electronically, Tacoma competitors won 6 golds, 6 silvers, and 3 bronze medals in the 1 minute races. In the 2K races, Tacoma competitors won 39 gold medals, 25 silver and 20 bronze medals. In the 2K Relays, local athletes won 6 national golds and 3 silver medals. And in the 500 meter sprints, local rowers won 28 golds, 15 silvers and 7 bronze medals. Tacoma Rowing athletes won 5 gold medals, 2 silver medals and 1 bronze medal.

A generous grant from Ginny Gilder's RowStrong has funded the delivery and outfitting of a weight room in a box! Located inside our boat yard, the box with roll up doors includes a squat rack, barbells,  weight plates and strength testing devices. Strength training happens three days each weke on 6-week cycles. Testing happens between cycles to assess progress.

Registration is now open for summer 2025 programs. We have offerings for both youth and adults. Register via Parks Tacoma (formerly MetroParks). All sessions are conducted at 2110 East D St, Tacoma. Financial assitance is avilable for all programs. Questions? Email dave@tacomarowing.org or call 206.465.4203

On September 26-27, 2025, our youth atheltes will row 300,000 meters in an overnight ergathon to help raise money for scholarships and equipment repairs/upgrades. Your support in any amount will help us grow our programs and continue to support Tacoma's youth. Sponsorship opportunities available.  Find out more here. 

We are excited to host NW Ergomania for the third year in a row. Race day is 01 Feb 2025. Ergomania will be the only host site west of the Mississippi River for the USRowing Indoor National Championships. Registration opens on Regatta Central in mid-November. Join us to compete or volunteer. Learn more.

On 03 November 2024, three boats from our youth program raced at the Head of the Lake Regatta in Seattle. Launching from the Conibear Shellhouse at the University of Washington, our athletes raced through the world famous Montlake Cut for the very first time. 

Several of our youth athletes competed against 31 teams from WA, OR, CA and UT at the Covered Bridge Regatta in Dexter Oregon. Tacoma athletes raced in doubles and quads on a cold, wet day. Huge thanks to Olympia Area Rowing for providing warm food after our races. Race highlight: our novice women's quad was 5 seconds from 2nd place in their event. 

We are excited to announce that Sabrina Paulsen will be joining our coaching staff. Sabrina learned to row in Everett (WA) and then rowed at Old Dominion University. Sabrina has coached at George Mason University and Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School. Sabrina will bring not only her rowing and coaching experience, but also her professional knowledge around youth mental health and physiology. 

We are excited to announce that Whitni Henry has joined our Board of Directors. Whitni is an Air Force veteran and now runs Campfire Coffee with her husband. Whitni is also the parent of a student in our middle school program. 

This February, Tacoma Rowing athletes will be competing in the 2nd annual STEM to Stern Middle School Showdown. In this virtual event, middle school students from around the country will compete in 250 meter and 500 meter races. We will update this results in early March.

Two national champions were crowned at NW Ergomania on 03 February. Rachel Egner of Pocock Rowing Club won the Womens 50-54 500meter event with a time of 1:37.6. Elijah Harrison of Idaho won the Mens U17 2K title with a time of 6:08.9. There was a lot of great racing and sportmanship on display throught the day. Congratulations to our 10 Grit City Award winners who each completed 3 or more events on race day. One Grit City Award winner was Viktor Williamson of Tri-Cities Rowing who was competing in his first ever rowing event. Good luck Lina Belanger Grit City Award winner Lina Belanger who will be competing in the Versa Challenge at the World Indoor Championships in Prague Feb 2024. Several athletes from Seize the Oar also joined us. 

We are pleased to announce that NW Ergomania! will be the west coast satellite site for the 2024 USRowing Indoor National Championships. Register at Ergomania and you results will be automatically  included in the national leaderboards. More included int he information is available here. 

Join us on 03 February at Pacific Lutheran University for NW Ergomania! 2024. This event is for ages 12-80+ with races from 500meters to 1 hour. Race, volunteer or just come watch athletes from WA, OR, ID, CA and Canada. This event is hosted by Tacoma Rowing and Pocock Rowing Club. More information is available here. 

Register your athlete today for Spring 2024 rowing. We have two options- our 2-day per week recreational program (open to 6-12 grade) and our 4-day per week competitive program (open to 7-12 grade). Find out more here. 

Join us 30 Sept at Campfire Coffee (1554 Market St, Tacoma) from 2-8pm.There will be drinks, music, vendors and other outdoors organizations. Meet some of our youth athletes, board members, parents and hope on a rowing machine. 

Through the generosity of our donors, we have purchased our first new NK Cox Box and Speed Coach units. These devices provide provide valuable real time data during races and training, much like the monitor on a rowing machine.

We are excited to partner with Hilltop Heritage Middle School's THRIVE program. 2023-2024 will be our second year. We are grateful for the opportunity to introduce more of Tacoma's youth to the sport!

You can now register for fall youth rowing via phone or web. Two options: recreational (2 days per week) and competitive (4 days per week). 

This summer, Ken Deem of Tacoma rowed a 1-person shell that he built himself 750 miles from Port Townsend to Ketchikan Alaska. Ken completed the Race to Alaska and raised over $4,000 to support our youth programs in the process. 

Thank you to Wintech Racing for donating a carbon fiber, 8-person shell! Naming boats is a big deal in rowing and we put a lot of thought into it. We are proud to recognize all that Quincy & Whitni Henry of Campfire Coffee do for the Tacoma community. This shell will be the flagship racing boat of our fleet for many years to come.

Tacoma Rowing is honored to host NWErgomania! on 11 Feb 2023. Thanks to Pacific Lutheran University for providing the venue. Team trophies for juniors and masters. All events open to para athletes. More information available at: https://linktr.ee/tacomarowing 

Beginning in September 2022, Tacoma Rowing will partner with Hilltop Heritage Middle School's THRIVE program. 4 days per week during their first period of the school day, 18 middle school students will meet our coaches for erg instruction, yoga, strength training and breath work. 

If rowed in high school or college and support our mission, please join us at 10am on 10 Sept 2022. This is part open house and part working session to figure out how we can get more of Tacoma's youth on the water. If you have questions, please email us. If you want to attend, please RSVP here.

We are proud to announce that we received a grant from the George Pocock Rowing Foundation. As part of the foundation's regional grant program, we will be able to purchase a trailer for rowing shells and pay stipends to participants in our BIPoC Coach Development program.

Tacoma Rowing will be featured in a Club Spotlight on the Ready Row USA podcast. Watch live at 1:30 Pacific / 4:30 Eastern time on 22 April 2022 or catch the recording here. After the recording, you will also be able to find the episode on your favorite podcast platform.

We are excited to offer free Monday morning rows for BIPoC entrepreneurs. This is a free program which runs May - September. No experience necessary. Visit our programs page to learn more.

Registration is now open for 2022 summer camps. One week sessions are available for middle and high school youth. You can register for one or more weeks. All sessions will be held at Future Waterway Park at 2110 East D Street in Tacoma.  Click here to register.

Huge thanks to the employees of Olympic Sports & Spine. During the month of February, OSSR employees raised over $900 to support our youth programs. We are incredibly grateful for their generosity. 

We are proud to partner with Campfire Coffee. 50% of all sales will go towards our youth programs. You can have beans shipped to you, pickup in store or delivered (Tacoma, Fircrest, UP and Federal Way). Purchase here through April 15.

Registration is now open for Spring 2022 middle school rowing. The program is 3 days per week. All sessions will be held at Future Waterway Park at 2030 East D Street in Tacoma.  Click here to register.

Coach Dave is now a certified indoor rowing coach. If you are interested in training specific to the rowing machine, please contact us. Dave can create individualized training programs, lead classes (live or online) or lead a fun, challenging group event. 

The certification is provided by UCanRow2 and Concept2.

• We are proud to announce that we signed a site use agreement with MetroParks. This deal will allow us to store equipment at Foss Waterway, thereby significantly increases our capacity to serve Tacoma and bring the sport of rowing to more people. 

  • 58.5% of Tacoma Public Schools middle and high  students attend schools less than 5 miles from our new site!

• In order to realize this potential, we need to set up the site with fencing, racks and a storage container. We also need to purchase additional safety equipment etc. (We already have boats, oars and some other equipment.)

Please visit our GoFundMe page for details on how you can help. Your support in any amount will make a difference for our youth. You can also share the link via social media, text and email.

• Spring registration will be available in the first week of February on the MetroParks website. Programs include:

  • Middle school rowing

  • Customized half-day group learn-to-row outings. These are great for corporate team building or a memorable experience with friends and family.  

• Summer registration will be available in March. Programs include:

  • Camps for middle and high school students

  • Adult learn-to-row classes 

  • Customized half-day group learn-to-row outings. These are great for corporate team building or a memorable experience with friends and family.  

• In January 2022, we hosted a small gathering for local BIPoC entrepreneurs at Tacoma Wellness Studio. Ashley Pryor, Founder & CEO of Relentless Rowing Academy shared her experience in the sport and the work of the Black Coaches & Rowers Association. Ashley then led a short erg session for everyone.

• In December 2021, in partnership with Tacoma Wellness Studio, we hosted a free training session for youth. Participants learned the basics of mobility, some kettlebell movements and learned to use rowing machines. 

Please consider supporting our efforts to empower youth and build community through rowing. 

How your support helps our youth:

   $10: Snacks for a youth who needs nutritious food after school

   $25: Shirt, hat and racing shorts for a team member

   $50: Supplies for a STEM lesson

   $100: 1 week of summer camp for a Tacoma youth

   $250: A spring or fall season scholarship for a participant

• Paypal and Venmo: @tacomarowing

• Mail a check to: Tacoma Rowing, 5316 N 45th St Tacoma WA 98407

• For other ways to help, see the "How to Help" section of our website

• We are a registered 501c3 and will provide a tax receipt for all donations

In collaboration with The TSM Shop...

We are excited to announce that our first ever

team gear store is now open!  Each item sold benefits our youth programming.

As always: 

• We are keeping things simple. 

• Our mission is at the heart of what we do. So, where it fits, items include our mission.

• We are proud to work with local businesses. Thanks to our friends at @thetsmshop in Hilltop

Important details: 

• Store closes Dec 5 at 11:59pm.

• If you live in Tacoma, Seattle, Olympia, or Vashon, we will deliver your items. 

• If you live outside of those areas, we will ship items to you. 

• Either way, after placing order, DM or email us with your order number so we can coordinate delivery. 

• We will make every effort to get items to you by Dec 24.

• If you have any questions, please DM or email us at info@tacomarowing.org

In collaboration with Tacoma Wellness Studio and HybrED Fitness...

December 5: 1- day introduction to rowing training event. Space is limited. Call or email us to reserve your spot.

December - February: Scholarships available for ongoing winter training indoors. Please contact us for more information and to apply.

Have you seen our flyers at your favorite local businesses? We recently began posting flyers at some supportive businesses in our community. 

If you own a business and would like to support our work, please let us know. We would be happy to drop off flyers.

If you do not see a flyer at your favorite local establishments, let us know and we will reach out to the owners. 

Thank you to:

• Good Fellas Barbershop

• Campfire Coffee

• Johnson Candy Co.

• Anthem Coffee

• The TSM Shop

• Metro Coffee

• And many others (We will continue to add names and recognize their support).