Author: Gayne Sears

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Update on SRRA Water Access

We are awaiting a response from two venue options:

  • Felts Field (near the GU Boathouse on the Spokane River
  • Picnic Pines at Silver Lake.

SRRA has requested an area to lease near the Gonzaga boathouse from the Airport Board. We had positive meetings with the Properties Specialist and she thought it our request would be approved by the Board. However she is very short staffed and has been unable to move the request forward. I continue to call and e-mail her.

Additionally, SRRA has made positive contact with the owner of the Picnic Pines site on the north end of Silver Lake. This is an abandoned RV park on private land, and the owners seemed comfortable with our proposal to row from their land this summer. That said, the deal has not been finalized with them either.

These are the two most promising options in the local area, but neither have come to fruition yet.

Our new coach Maddy Madison and the Learn to Row Committee have developed a learn to row program and are excited to deploy it when we get confirmation of a site. Boat mtc days went wellThis past weekend. Thanks for the couple people who were able to assist and to Peggy for hosting it at her home.

Rowing opportunities:

PORPA (Pend Oreille Rowing and Paddling Assoc. www.PORPA.org ) will be holding a rowing session every Sunday morning at the Priest River and is happy to host SRRA rowers. You will need to sign a liability waiver on the PORPA web site. I will post these opportunities on iCrew and folks can show attending if they want to join the fun.

CdA Rowing (cdarowing.org ) offers affiliate membership for $200/year. Members can check out boats with others and row at any time/day on Lake Fernan.

SRRA may arrange to bring some boats to the Silver Lake public boat launch (north end) and row on a weekday evening (fewer other boats out then).

Your SRRA Board continues to strive toward our goal of a safe and convenient rowing site, thanks for your patience.

Gayne Sears, President
srra@spokanerowing .org

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SRRA Annual Meeting – 2023

Come one, Come all! Please join your friends and fellow rowers at SRRA’s Annual Meeting. Members, families, interested folks are all welcome. It will be a fun evening with “Get To Row You BINGO” and lots of information about the 2023 rowing and learn to row opportunities.
 
Tuesday 2 May 2023 7-830 pm
 
Valley YMCA
MULTI PURPOSE ROOM
2421 N Discovery Pl
Spokane Valley, WA 99216
 
We will share:
    • Opportunities and dues for rowing in 2023
    • New site options,
    • Plans for a learn to row course
    • Financial status and budget for the year
    • Plans for coaching and recruiting events
    • Diversity, inclusion, and equity efforts
    • Ideas for increased social gatherings,
    • Club opportunities for volunteering
    • How to use iCrew,
    • Early season safety
    • Hold an election for new Board members.

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Do you want to Learn-to-Row in 2023?

The Spokane River Rowing Association (SRRA) strives to make rowing accessible to people of every background and ability; and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in all we do.

Learn-to-Row summer sessions are for anyone (age 18 and older) who is interested in trying a new sport and adding a fun dimension to their summer schedule. Swimming skills are important, but SRRA will provide personal flotation devices for less competent swimmers.

SRRA likely be conducting our 2023 Learn-to-Row classes during the month of July, final schedule is TBA. Please let us know your interest by sending an email with your contact information to Interested in LTR.

Learn to Row sessions include coached lessons on the ergometer (rowing machine) and on-the-water sessions in eight and four person rowing shells! We cover rowing stroke and boat safety, basic boathouse terminology, boat and oar handling skills, with the majority of the class focused on rowing stroke technique on the rowing machine and in the boat with other rowers. Participants also receive a Spokane River Rowing tech T-shirt (value $25). Current SRRA rowers offer mentorship and welcome new rowers to continue to learn with them on the water for the remainder of the summer.

Some details:

  • All registrants must be 18 or older by the end of 2023.
  • For two or more registrants in the same family, the second family member is half price! 
  • Location:  TBD but likely on the Spokane River at 7200 E. South Riverway Ave Spokane, WA 99202 see directions here.
  • Cost: TBD but in the $200-$250 range
  • SRRA encourages all interested adults to try Learn to Row regardless of financial ability. Contact srra@spokanerowing.org for more information on financial assistance for registration and/or transportation costs.
  • If you are looking for junior rowing, please check with Coeur d’Alene Rowing at CDArowing.org. 
  • Pend Oreille Rowing and Padding Association also offers adult and youth introduction to rowing classes. www.porpa.org