The Youth Initiative of the GPRF | Row to the Future: Why Rowing?
RENTON ROWING CENTER TO OPEN IN SUMMER 2014
The George Pocock Rowing Foundation will open the Renton Rowing Center in the Summer of 2014, providing community access to recreational and competitive rowing programs as well as kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddle boarding rental.
Renton, WA, February 21, 2014– The George Pocock Rowing Foundation (GPRF) has signed a five-year lease to host operations in Renton on the south end of Lake Washington in the former Cedar River Boathouse. The operation will offer access to adult and youth rowing programs as well as daily canoe, kayak, and stand-up paddle board rentals. The lease will take effect on April 7, 2014 and operations will roll out over the summer.
Matthew Lacey, GPRF Executive Director: “The George Pocock Rowing Foundation is thrilled to take this opportunity to support the growth of rowing in the Northwest and expand the recreational options available for the citizens of Renton. We know that involvement in rowing can change lives, and we’re excited to get to work and help more people find themselves on the water.”
The George Pocock Rowing Foundation (GPRF) is dedicated to building and supporting high quality programs and facilities that promote access to rowing, excellence in rowing, and use rowing as a means to foster physical activity, health, leadership, and community engagement. Established in 1984, the GPRF has a long history of developing and supporting successful rowing programs with Seattle Parks Department, Seattle Public Schools, and through its own Pocock Rowing Center on North Lake Union. In addition to providing adult and family programs, the GPRF is proud to introduce the Renton community to Row to the Future, its youth development initiative, which successfully improves youth access to rowing in P.E. classrooms and on the water.
The primary focus for boathouse programming will be youth development, connecting with the thousands of Renton students in the middle and high schools located within seven miles of the facility. The GPRF is committed to leveraging the team sport of rowing to help young people expand their opportunities and become healthy and engaged members of their communities. Courtney Moeller, a Renton native and rowing coach, will be managing the facility and program development with oversight from the GPRF Board of Directors.
Courtney Moeller, Facility Director: “With the George Pocock Rowing Foundation’s new boathouse, I’m excited to merge two loves: Renton and rowing. As a coach and administrator, I’m especially interested in helping the community connect with the waterways that make our area so beautiful and unique. See you on the water!”
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If you would like more information about the George Pocock Rowing Foundation or Renton Rowing Center, please contact Emily Smalligan at 206-328-0778, email at info@pocockfoundation.org or visit www.pocockfoundation.org.
The George Pocock Rowing Foundation hosted The 2013 USRowing Annual Convention with a keynote address by author, Daniel James Brown, at the Conibear Shellhouse.
Watch Dan Brown’s reading of The Boys in the Boat:
The George Pocock Rowing Foundation (GPRF) endeavors to build and support high quality programs and facilities that promote access to rowing, excellence in rowing, and use rowing as a means to foster physical activity, health, leadership, and community engagement.
Within the GPRF are the Pocock Rowing Center, our community boathouse; Kossev Consortium, our coaching development initiative; and Row to the Future, our youth development initiative. We also host major regional events, including Row for the Cure.