Duluth Rowing Club

Duluth Rowing Club: Youth and Adult Recreation, Fitness, and Competition

Funding Need: New Quad Rowing Shell 

For several years, the Duluth Rowing Club (DRC) concentrated its resources on completing the new Duluth Rowing Center.  Now that construction is complete, the Club is focusing on upgrading its ageing fleet of rowing shells.  

 Need for Upgraded Rowing Boats

The Club’s current fleet includes boats that were built in every decade from 1970 through 2020.  Most of the boats used on a daily basis are 10-20 years old. The Club has acquired only two new boats in the past 7 years.   With boat design and construction continually improving, the DRC is at a competitive disadvantage when racing against Clubs that have invested in new equipment.

 Fundraising Priority: New Quad

This year, the Club is aiming to purchase a new mid-weight quad, a rowing shell for 4 rowers each with a pair of sculling oars. This is the most popular boat used by youth and adults because it is:

• The safest, most stable crew boat
• Best for teaching new rowers
• Great for practicing sculling drills  
• Steadier in rough or windy conditions than other boats
• Fun to row with a crew

 The quads the DRC currently has are used 3-4 times a day.  On many occasions, a quad crew is unable to go out to row because all quads are in use.

 Fundraising Goal: $10,000

The cost of a new quad is $30,000.  Two anonymous donors have individually contributed $5,000.  The Duluth Rowing Club Board has allocated $10,000 towards the purchase, leaving $10,000 yet to be raised.

 Please join us in adding a new quad to the DRC fleet of rowing shells, a boat that will greatly benefit youth, adults, and those learning to row.        Thank you!

About the Duluth Rowing Club

Located on the western tip of Lake Superior, the Duluth Rowing Club (DRC) is home to a thriving rowing program composed of both competitive and recreational crews. The DRC provides youth and adults  the opportunity to learn the sport of rowing and experience fun and fitness on the water.  The DRC  offers all needed equipment, coaching, and a place to row from its newly constructed boathouse.  The DRC sponsors two events during the rowing season: the Duluth International Regatta held in July, and Death Row, a 25 kilometer event up the St. Louis River, held in September.

The Duluth Rowing Club's primary focus is the youth Junior program for those age 13-18.  Over 100 Junior rowers participate from throughout the Duluth area.  Junior rowers learn valuable teamwork skills, improve their overall health and fitness,  learn water safety, and gain an appreciation for the Lake Superior waterways.  In addition to the fun, competition, and camaraderie, each Junior is eligible to earn sports letter from their high school.  Duluth Junior crews have consistently medaled in area regattas. Several youth each year go on to row in college.

The Duluth Rowing Club has an active adult rowing program open to men and women of all ages and fitness levels.   Current adult rowers ages range from 18-80.  There is the option to row for fitness and recreation, or for competition.  Several competitive adult rowers have medaled  at national and international regattas.   The Learn to Row course is offered several times during the summer to introduce adults to the sport.

All are welcome at the Duluth Rowing Club.  Program fees are affordable to encourage participation.  Scholarships are available to cover program fees. No one is turned away for inability to pay. 

The Duluth Rowing Club is a financially sound, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law.

More information on the Duluth Rowing Club is available at https://duluthrowing.org/