Community Rowing Inc. outreach brings public school students across the city closer to the sport in Youth Erg Trials at New Balance
With New England’s rich boating history and the Charles River serving as a fitting stage for many prestigious events, Boston is one of the nation’s largest rowing centers.
But according to Ted Benford, chief executive of Brighton-based Community Rowing Inc., there’s a fundamental problem: Pupils in the city’s public schools don’t have access to this busy rowing scene, even though it’s right in their backyard.
Part of CRI’s effort to bridge this gap is the annual Youth Erg Trials International event, held at TRACK at New Balance in Brighton on Thursday mornings. YETI, which had not taken place since 2019 due to the pandemic, drew 1,200 middle and high school students from 25 Boston public schools — making it the largest turnout in YETI history and the largest event of its kind in the country .
Students competed on indoor rowing machines for the city’s best distances in their respective age groups, but Benford’s primary focus was on encouraging participation and the event’s accessibility.
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“The first thing is to let them know that rowing is even possible,” Benford said. “Part of the strategy surrounding this event is to give children a range of opportunities to participate, whether it’s the school system, the free transportation we offer schools to take a field trip around our facility, or just walking around and a crazy thing to have time.”
CRI brings students closer to the sport by bringing rowing machines and specialist trainers directly to schools and physical education classes, and offering free bus travel to its Brighton training facility. While CRI charges external participants a fee, their services are free for BPS students.
Nikki McMaster (left), a Blackstone School PE teacher, cheers on special education student Katie Carcamo (center) during Community Rowing, Inc. Youth Erg Trials International (YETI) at the New Balance Track in Boston.Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff
“It’s very important to offer the opportunity to people who are already here, who may not have access or think this sport is something for them,” said Javier Suarez, who serves as CRI’s liaison with middle schools. “It shows them what else they can do in their community.”
CRI’s outreach and initial support for schools is a necessary first step, but their mission will not work without teachers on board as well. Greg Dotson, a longtime physical education teacher at the William Earnberger School in West Roxbury, hasn’t just included rowing in his curriculum; Now the school wants to purchase permanent equipment for year-round use in the gym.
“These kids are used to basketball and football and soccer, and most of them have never been,” Dotson said. “If we may add [rowing machines]we hope that children can continue to do it and become more familiar with it.
The seriousness of the competition itself varied among YETI participants. For some, rowing success could mean a future college scholarship. But many students find rowing a fun and engaging activity that they would never have tried otherwise.
“I do other sports that I didn’t know about [rowing] until they took us on some trips for it,” said Jean, a ninth grader at New Mission. “I’m still not that good at it, but yes I would say it’s something I want to try more and get better at.”
Matty Wasserman can be reached at [email protected] Follow him on Twitter @Matty_Wasserman.
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