USRowing

🏆 2025 SportsTravel Magazine Best New Sports Event: 2024 RowFest USRowing’s inaugural RowFest redefined what a rowing event can be, bringing together athletes, families, coaches, and fans for an unforgettable multi-day festival that blended elite competition, athlete development, and community celebration. From traditional racing to sprints under the lights, youth to masters to adaptive events, RowFest delivered an immersive experience that united the sport like never before. A huge thank you to everyone who made RowFest possible — our athletes, volunteers, partners, and the incredible Oklahoma City community.

🌟 Empowering the Future of Women’s Sports🌟 We’re thrilled to highlight this inspiring TED Talk by Kate Johnson, OLY, one of our USRowing Foundation Advisors: “The Flourishing Future of Women’s Sports.” In her talk, Kate explores how we can build an equitable, thriving environment for women in athletics - addressing barriers, celebrating opportunities, and charting a path forward for the next generation. Her insights are as relevant to rowing as they are to all sports. As advocates for inclusion, excellence, and growth in rowing, USRowing is proud to champion voices like Kate’s who push us to reimagine the playing field. Her work helps guide our ongoing efforts to: 🔹 Support female athletes, coaches, and leaders 🔹 Ensure equal opportunities and access 🔹 Grow the sport in diverse communities 🔹 Foster a rowing culture rooted in equity, respect, and excellence 📣 We encourage our network to take a moment to watch Kate’s talk and reflect on how we each can contribute to a more inclusive future in sports. Watch here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dM7bssH4

From panel discussions and community breakfasts to networking sessions and autograph signings, this year’s USRowing event lineup at Head of the Charles Regatta celebrates the people and programs shaping the future of rowing. Join us to celebrate the legacy, witness the present, and embrace the future of American rowing. Full schedule and registration ➡️ https://lnkd.in/ekUxhg9R

USRowing received the largest donation in its history, with a $6.5M gift from Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss to help fund its national team and national training center renovation. The Winklevoss twins' deep roots in the sport helped lead to the donation, with the twin brothers rowing on the U.S. national team for nearly a decade and competing in the Beijing Olympics. 🔗 via Rachel Axon: https://lnkd.in/gjziDsMN

MAJOR GIFT NEWS: Olympians Cameron Winklevoss and Tyler Winklevoss have committed a historic $6.5 million gift to support the U.S. National Team through the LA 2028 Olympic cycle.   As the largest gift in our organization's history, this transformational investment will be recognized by: ✅ The Senior, Para, and Beach Sprint teams will become the Gemini.com U.S. National Team ✅ Caspersen Boathouse (West Windsor, N.J. National Team Training Center) expansion will be named the Winklevoss Training Center   From rowing for Team USA to giving back in the biggest way—thank you to the Winklevoss brothers for supporting our current and future champions! More ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eXbAUR6M

USRowing’s highest honor now bears the name of one of rowing’s greatest trailblazers. Introducing the Anita DeFrantz Medal of Honor, recognizing one of rowing’s most influential athletes and leaders. From Olympic bronze medalist to global advocate for inclusion and athlete rights, Anita DeFrantz has shaped both rowing and the Olympic movement for decades. This renaming ensures her legacy continues to inspire those who embody integrity, leadership, and lifelong dedication to advancing our sport. “Rowing belongs to everyone, and we need everyone to take part.” -Anita DeFrantz More ➡️ https://shorturl.at/poNDO

🏆 USRowing Wins USOPC Choice Award for Second Consecutive Year For the fifth time since the award’s creation in 2015, USRowing has been named the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee’s recipient of the NGB Choice Award. This marks the second consecutive year that the United We Row Grant Program has earned this honor. The Choice Award celebrates the most impactful inclusion initiatives across all Olympic and Paralympic sports. This honor reflects the incredible work of our community, clubs, and partners who are helping make rowing more accessible for all. “To be recognized by the USOPC and our fellow NGBs for a fifth year is truly an honor. It motivates us to keep advancing our mission through United We Row to make rowing more inclusive for everyone.” -CEO Amanda Kraus Thank you to the USOPC, our member clubs, and the entire rowing community for their continued commitment to growing our sport. More ➡️ https://lnkd.in/excvKz7n

Congratulations to Andy Merrill on his appointment as Vice Chair of the USRowing Board of Directors! Andy’s leadership, experience, and commitment to advancing the sport continue to make a lasting impact, on and off the water. We’re excited to see his vision help guide USRowing into the next chapter. Andy is a competitive masters rower, a partner at Prosek - a strategic financial communications firm, and a graduate of Trinity College where he was captain of the 1985 varsity lightweight crew. He is former Chair of the Board of Stamford Hospital and the Stamford Hospital Foundation in Stamford, Conn., and a member of the Board of Trustees for Row New York and the USRowing Foundation.

Registration is now OPEN for the 2025 United We Row Summit! USRowing invites rowing leaders and coaches to join us for this free, two-day virtual conference on November 19–20. This year’s theme, Next Level, is all about elevating your program from fundraising to team culture to athlete inclusion. Hear from rowing pioneers, athlete-advocates, and national partners in eight powerful sessions, including the exclusive reveal of a groundbreaking new collaboration set to transform our sport. 🗓️ November 19–20, 2025 💻 Free & interactive, online 🎓 Coaches earn CEUs There’s a seat in the boat for everyone. Grab yours today ➡️ https://shorturl.at/Vkqtk

2025 USRowing Under 23 Athletes of the Year Announced! USRowing is proud to recognize Cosmo Hondrogen and Phoebe Wise as the 2025 Under 23 National Team Athletes of the Year. Selected by their teammates and coaches from the 2025 World Rowing U23 Championships in Poznan, Poland, both Cosmo and Phoebe showcased grit, leadership, and excellence on the international stage. They will be honored at the 2025 Golden Oars Gala on November 13. MORE ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eCXXAhmR