The Tribune

On Saturday, Nassau Rowing Club had their first Boat and Dock Dedication at their boat club located on the north side of Lake Cunningham.

With many upgrades happening this year to the club, the current board members thought that it would be a great opportunity to showcase its success this year, particularly as it celebrates its fifth anniversary this summer.

The club held its annual Learn to Row summer camp for the fifth year running, coached by Anthony Chacon, Head Coach of the California State University – Long Beach Men’s Rowing programme. A record 25 rowers from seven local high schools took to the water for the first time, in keeping with the club’s mission to develop the premier competitive rowing programme in The Bahamas for rowers of all experience, age, and fitness levels.

Emily Morley, president of Nassau Rowing Club, praised the event.

“It was great to see the many faces of Nassau Rowing Club,” she said. “Some I have never met, some are old rowing friends, while some are new. Our club has a deep following that crosses cultural, national, and age lines – truly showing that rowing is a sport for everyone – and we are very grateful for everyone’s support.”

Dedicating a WinTech four, Vespoli double and their new wooden floating dock, the crowd shared stories, champagne, courtesy of Young’s Fine Wine, and reminisced on how they used to row out of Nassau Rowing Club’s from its infancy with one boat, to now having a growing fleet of racing class boats from top American boatmakers.

The WinTech was named “The Seawolf” after Sir Durward Knowles, after he generously donated money for the purchase of this boat, and to his long-standing dedication for youth and sports development in The Bahamas.

The Vespoli double was dedicated to the Rassin family after their accommodations on their lakeside property for a number of years. Named “Isabella,” this double has trained many levels of rowers, from summer campers learning to row for the first time to masters rowers with many years of experience. The Nassau Rowing Club extended a special vote of thanks to the Rassins for their generosity in allowing the club to use this safe haven on Lake Cunningham.

The new dock, constructed about a month ago, was dedicated to Donna and Marc Ell. Since arriving in The Bahamas from Canada, where they row with the Regina Rowing Club, Donna and Marc have, the club says, been nothing short of selfless and a very gracious helping hand. The dock commemorated their “love for rowing, and our gratitude for their help”.

The event saw past and present members, junior rowers, and friends and family of rowers celebrate the legacy of the country’s first rowing club that has trained, supported, and produced so many ambassadors of the sport.

Morley expected this to continue.

“The Nassau Rowing Club will continue to be at the forefront of rowing in The Bahamas, leading the way for anyone who wants to have fun and get fit, or for those who want to represent the country at a major regatta,” she said.

“It was a wonderful reminder of the diversity of rowing, and that we can all unite behind our collective passion for rowing and youth sports in The Bahamas.”

The Nassau Rowing Club has a high-profile roster of races upcoming this fall, with Morley herself competing in the Women’s Single at the World Rowing Championships to be held in Sarasota, FL in September. She and other members will also be competing in the prestigious Head of the Charles Regatta (HOCR) in Boston in several different boat classes. The club has competed in the HOCR every year since 2014.