The Learn to Row program with Marine Science Magnet High School has been a huge success, thanks to a team effort of club volunteers and coaches who contributed countless hours of their time to get nineteen high schoolers out on the water to learn the sport of sculling and sweep rowing. Students have pitched in to help each other with launching, rigging, rowing and cleaning the club's quads and sweep 8 shells.
Not only have the students benefitted from the program, but club volunteers have enjoyed meeting and working with some of the area's wonderful young adults. "They have inspired us as much as we have guided them," said Chuck Toal, the president of the club's board of directors. A big thank you goes out to coach Ashley Malinovsky from East Lyme High School and volunteer coach Ric Ricci for sharing their expert knowledge of the sport. A special recognition goes out to board member Andrea Lenoux, who championed the project and managed so many of the details as well as club volunteers. The school principal, Tara Amatrudo provided grant funds for the program and without her vision, this program would not have been possible.
It takes a crew to scull a shell!