Youth membership in RowAmerica Rye has more than doubled since last spring.

By Melanie Cane

Youth membership in RowAmerica Rye has more than doubled since last spring. Due to the huge growth and success of the program, they just purchased two new top-level Wintech Cobra double sculls that will be used by rowers who meet the highest standards.

Head Coach Marko Serafimovski said, “We are looking forward to qualifying in at least three categories and represent RowAmerica Rye at Youth Nationals.”

At last month’s Saratoga Invitational, all of the RowAmerica’s Men’s Juniors made the finals. Leon Chambers brought home the gold in the Single Scull, finishing by a fraction of a second ahead of two others. In the Double Scull, he and Spencer Sands won the gold. In a Junior B Single Scull, Ben Klezl won the bronze.

The Women’s team did equally well. Alex Slabbert dominated the competition and won the gold medal in Single Scull, slightly ahead of Katelyn Kerrick, who, after a tough battle, finished 2nd in the same event. Alex and Megan Slabbert won the pair event, crossing the finish line less than a second before two other boats. The Junior B (under 17) Double Scull won the bronze and showed lots of potential for years to come, according to Serafimovski.

“Rowing is a life-changing sport for the kids, said Leon Chambers’ father Phillip. “The program is very demanding individually, and maybe because of that, there is wonderful camaraderie.”