Tulsa Rowing Club Juniors Recruiting Athletes
RIVER TEAMWORK: The Tulsa Rowing Club offers a great way for Tulsa residents to learn how to row and compete at the national level. The team is hosting rowing sessions to beginners.
The Tulsa Rowing Club Juniors Team is offering a Learn-To-Row camp to recruit high school age athletes interested in learning how to row in racing shells. Lessons will be held at the Tulsa Rowing Club Boathouse located on the west bank of the Arkansas River at 715 W. 21st St.
The introduction camp is specifically designed for beginners and is a great place to begin the sport. Neil Bergenroth, a former collegiate rower at Boston University and former member of Great Britain’s Junior National Rowing Team heads up the coaching staff. Bergenroth offers, “everyone will be placed in a boat with experienced team members. The camp will introduce basic techniques behind rowing strokes and the process of handling boats. Safety will also be a focus. We want everyone to have a great time!”
The Tulsa Juniors Rowing program was formed 17 years ago and is one of two juniors programs in the state. Bergenroth has enjoyed watching the team become what they are today. “Coaching the team has been a great experience. It is neat to work with the coaching staff and to coach kids from all over the Tulsa area.” Bergenroth has been involved with the sport of crew for over 20 years and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Tulsa Juniors program. Through Coach Bergenroth’s expertise, the team took top honors at the Central District Youth Championships in Austin, Tex. and earned a trip to the U.S. Rowing Youth National Championship in Cincinnati. “We are building a strong team capable of consistently competing on the national level” adds Beregnroth, “it is exciting to see that growth and to attract more athletes every season because of our success. It is a pleasure to work with such a dedicated group of people who are genuinely excited about the sport.”
The young athletes involved in the program seem to agree. “Since I joined the team, I had to work exceptionally hard at practices to get the experience and basic techniques necessary to participate at regattas. I did not have the necessary skills to compete in regattas until mid-season. However, I was immediately hooked on rowing. I feel that I have grown as a person, as well as learned the true meanings of friendship and teamwork,” says Junior Hayden Mears.
“Rowing is a competitive sport that is both physically and mentally challenging. It is a unique sport because you can participate in it for a lifetime,” explains Bergenroth.
Required forms and information about the juniors program can be found at www.tulsajuniorsrowing.org.
Updated 07-24-2009
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