USRowing 2017 Youth National Championships: What To Know Before You Go

SARASOTA, FL – Once again, Sarasota County will play host to the premier junior rowing event in the United States.

The 2017 USRowing Youth National Championships are set to take place starting Friday, June 9 at Nathan Bendrson Park. More than 1,00 athletes representing nearly 150 teams from across the country will compete for national titles in 18 boat classes.

Here’s what area residents and visitors need to know before you go to the 2017 USRowing Youth National Championships:

Dates and Times

The 2017 USRowing Youth National Championships are set to take place from Friday, June 9 to Sunday, June 11. The rowing schedule for each day is:

• Friday, June 9 – 8 a.m. to 4:40 p.m.
• Saturday, June 10 – 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 2:30 to 4:36 p.m.
• Sunday, June 11 – 8 a.m. to 2:36 p.m.

Location

All events will take place at Nathan Benderson Park, located at 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle in Sarasota. The park is one of the top 2,000-meter sprint courses in North America, and will play host to the 2017 World Rowing Championships in September. It will be the first time in more than 20 years the United States will play host to the World Rowing Championships.

Spectator Tickets

Daily general admission tickets for the 2017 Youth National Championships are $10, while a three-day pass is available for $25. Tickets include admission to the tent areas during race days.

Tickets can be purchased at https://tickets.usrowing.com/.

Bike Rentals

In addition to its world-class rowing facilities, Nathan Benderson Park features a 3.5-mile path that circles the lake. A variety of hybrid bikes and beach cruisers are available for rent during practice and racing. The rental tent will be next to the Entrance/Welcome tent.

Rental costs are $12 for 90 minutes, $35 per day and $75 for three days. Rental price comes with a bike lock and a helmet. Bicycles can be taken off site if needed as long as they’re returned by the rental return date. Payments can be made by cash or credit card, with credit card payments subject to a 3 percent fee and tax.

E-mail nick@sanca.us to reserve bikes during the event.

Florida-Based Teams

The following USRowing youth clubs from Florida will compete in the 2017 Youth National Championships:

• Belen Jesuit Prep School, Miami (defending Lightweight Men’s Youth Eight champion)
• Capital City Rowing, Tallahassee
• Ransom Crew, Coral Gables
• Gainesville Area Rowing, Gainesville
• Jacksonville Rowing Club, Jacksonville
• Miami Beach Watersports Center, Miami Beach
• Miami Rowing and Watersports Center, Miami
• North Palm Beach Rowing Club, Palm Beach Gardens
• Orlando Area Rowing Society, Windermere
• Sarasota Crew, Osprey
• Sarasota Scullers, Osprey
• Space Coast Crew, Satellite Beach
• Stanton-River Bank Rowing, Jacksonville
• The Stewards Foundation, Tampa

Live Streaming

The live broadcast of semifinals and finals will appear on USRowing’s YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/usrowingorg.

Companion Events

Two other events will take place in conjunction with the 2017 USRowing Youth National Championships:

• USRowing Graduation Ceremony (Thursday, June 8 at 6:30 p.m.): This event honors the graduating class of 2017. High school senior athletes will be honored in a 30-minute ceremony and receive a USRowing Certificate of Excellence. The schedule keynote speaker will be Jacqui Kapinowski, who won the women’s arms and shoulders single sculls at the 2016 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic rowing team trials at Nathan Benderson Park. USRowing will also recognize the high school athlete valedictorians at the event, which takes place at the Hospitality tent at Nathan Benderson Park.
• Olympic Day (Sunday, June 11, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.): Celebrating the birth of the modern Olympic Games, Olympic Day promotes fitness, wellbeing, culture and education while celebrating the Olympic values of excellence friendship and respect. Olympians will be on-site for meet-and-greet opportunities, autographs and photos. The events will take place at the USRowing Tent.

For more information, visit http://www.usrowing.org/event/2017-youth-national-championships/.

Images courtesy USRowing