- April 26, 2024
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The new club is seeking a home in Ormond Beach.
Those long, narrow boats (called racing shells) with teams of rowers (called a crew) pulling in unison and smoothly gliding down the river is a common sight near the Halifax Rowing Club.
It soon will be a regular sight in Ormond Beach, because a group of parents and about a dozen teenagers have formed the Ormond Youth Rowing Club.
They bought three shells, trailers and even a truck to haul them, and they set off on their first rowing exercise on Oct. 9, putting in at Fortunato Park.
Until they get permanent location, they are going to truck their shells to the river for each outing from their temporary housing in donated warehouse space.
“We need a place on the river where we can build a boat house,” said club President Anne Lunsford. “Hopefully, we can partner with the city to find a place.”
She said it’s a quiet sport that would not interfere with a nearby neighborhood.
The teens in the new club are mostly former members of Halifax Rowing Club. Lunsford said they decided to form their own club for youth, because the college kids seemed to be given priority and the younger kids didn’t get enough time on the water.
She said there is a lot of interest among youth in rowing.
Her husband, Scott, said many colleges have rowing teams, and the chances of a rower getting a scholarship are good.
They plan to row three times a week after school.
In addition to buying the equipment they need, the group has hired a master rower as coach, Patricia Redman, along with her son, Adam.
Along with physical exercise, the rowers also mention the team aspect.
“It exercises the whole body,” said Ben Lunsford.
Taylor Coulson agreed, saying, “It’s quite grueling, actually. But there’s a lot of teamwork.”
The club vice president is Aram Khazraee. Call 843-0403.
