Local Teen Rowers Make Waves: Great Bay Team Heads to National Championships!

Sarasota, Florida, USA - Thirteen local teen rowers from Great Bay Rowing are making waves as they head to the USRowing Youth National Championships in Sarasota, Florida from June 11-15. These talented athletes secured their spot at the competition after the USRowing Northeast Regional Youth Championship regatta was canceled due to strong currents caused by recent rain. This unique scenario means that invitations were extended based on year-to-date performance rather than direct competition, according to Seacoast Online.

Great Bay Rowing will showcase four boats at the national championships, representing both men’s and women’s categories. In the Women’s Under 17 (U17) double sculls, Hannah Bogle from Durham and Annabelle Getchell from South Berwick will compete. The Women’s U17 four, coxed by Ellie Blanchard from Portsmouth, features Jamie Hawkins from Amesbury, Aurora Sawtell from Newmarket, Bailey Everett from Barrington, and Sydney Anderson from Seabrook. On the men’s side, Eric Berg from Dover and Brogan Fernald from Eliot will race in the Men’s Youth double sculls, while Fisher Potter from Kittery, Tommy Blanchard from Portsmouth, Owen Anderson from Seabrook, and Oliver Johnson from Durham will compete in the Men’s Youth quadruple sculls.

A Tradition of Excellence

This marks the fourth consecutive year that Great Bay Rowing has qualified crews for the national championships, a testament to the hard work and dedication of both athletes and coaching staff. Hallie Cheyne, the director of rowing for Great Bay Rowing, shared her pride in the athletes’ determination amidst limited racing opportunities this season. Recently, the team’s prowess was on display as they clinched the overall team points trophy at the Granite State Sculling Championships, winning an impressive 13 of 18 races.

Behind the success of these rowers lie inspiring stories. Amabel and Brogan Fernald from Eliot, siblings aged 18 and 16 respectively, were motivated to take up rowing by their father, a former UNH rower. Meanwhile, Sydney and Owen Anderson from Seabrook value the physical challenges and teamwork that rowing promotes. Eric Berg from Dover appreciates the strong team culture and competitive spirit that defines the sport. Such camaraderie is vital in a nonprofit community program like Great Bay Rowing, which serves over 20 Seacoast communities and operates out of Jackson’s Landing in Durham and Hilton Park in Dover.

Getting Ready for the Championships

The excitement doesn’t stop at qualifications; preparations are in full swing for the national championships. As Regatta Central highlights, the schedule, heat sheets, and results for the event are accessible online, while traffic patterns for practice and race days are also provided for convenience. Spectator tickets went on sale on May 30, and teams are allowed to register one vehicle and one trailer for parking during the competition. Additionally, an Athletes & Coaches Pre-Regatta meeting was held on June 3 to ensure everyone is on the same page before the races commence.

As these young athletes gear up for their Miami adventure, they embody the spirit of determination and teamwork cherished in rowers. With a strong showing in their prior competitions, Great Bay Rowing is poised to make a splash at the national level. The support from the local community remains crucial as they strive for success in Sarasota and continue to foster the love of rowing for future generations.