Saturday was one of those days that reminded us exactly why we love this sport. Newport Aquatic Center and Casitas Rowing came together at the beautiful Lake Casitas Reservoir for our annual middle school scrimmage – an event that started just last year and has already grown into a favorite for athletes, parents, and coaches alike. With 64 athletes across 7 boats, the lake was full of energy (and plenty of nervous excitement), but the moment the kids pushed off the dock, that all melted into focus. For many of our rowers, this is the only time all season they get to row on fresh water instead of the ocean – a rare, calm, stunning venue that provides the perfect backdrop for developing young rowers.
One of the most meaningful parts of this event is the exposure it gives our athletes to another team, another boathouse, another way of doing things. They get to see firsthand that ven though we come from different programs, we’re all the same at our core: kids learning, growing, working hard, and having fun in a sport that brings people together. That perspective helps normalize competition – teaching them that racing isn’t about “us vs. them” but about shared effort, shared goals, and the broader rowing community.
Technically, this scrimmage is a milestone. As our team has been learning the fundamentals and building solid stroke technique, the next leap in their development is finding boat speed – actually getting a hull moving together fast. This race offered their first real glimpse at just how fast they can make a boat go when they commit as a unit. You could see something click: a new edge of competitiveness, a new layer of confidence, and that spark in their eyes when they realized, “Oh. We can MOVE!”
Events like this are invaluable – not just for athletic development, but for building community, confidence, and joy around rowing. Huge thank you to Casitas Rowing for hosting us on such a beautiful stretch of water, and to all families and coaches who made this day possible.
Can’t wait for next year already!
Coach Haley MacKay