Rowing in New Bedford Harbor

New Bedford is Southcoast’s Newest Destination for Rowing

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by Cheyenne Bayse

Cheyenne Bayse is a coach at New Bedford Community Rowing

On Saturday April 28th and Sunday April 29thNew Bedford Community Rowing (NBCR) hosted two regattas which brought over 200 visitors to the race site at Pope’s Island Marina. Saturday’s regatta (or race) was held between two high school teams, Hingham High School from Hingham, Massachusetts and Stonington High School from Stonington, Connecticut. The beautiful day was made even better for Hingham High School as they won three out of four men’s events and another three out of four women’s events.

On Sunday April 29th Endicott College, Brandeis University, Roger William’s University, Assumption College, and Wentworth Institute competed in the New England Collegiate Rowing League Championship. The race was the third in a three race series hosted by New Bedford Community Rowing at Pope’s Island Marina. While the morning races went off without a hitch, the race was called off on account of swift winds and teams were not able to compete in any of the schedule finals events.

Rowing in New Bedford HarborWhile races are certainly exciting, the implication of teams traveling to New Bedford for racing is even more exciting. New Bedford serves as an excellent meeting point for crews from Rhode Island, the Cape, and Boston area and features a straight course in the northern end of the Acushnet River which has ample room which is marshaled in a joint effort between New Bedford Harbor Master, New Bedford Fire, New Bedford Police, and NBCR. Due to its location, amenities, and the collaboration between NBCR and the City, New Bedford is able to offer racing opportunities which are hard to find anywhere else.

For the greater New Bedford area the rise of New Bedford as a rowing destination brings many other opportunities. Restaurants, hotels, and other tourism oriented industries can benefit from the visitors that come to row in the area. Anyone can venture out to the race course for a free day of entertainment and anyone who might be have an interest in rowing can get a first hand view of the sport in action.

The presence of multiple crews on the water also marks a turn in the New Bedford’s relationship to its waterway. With the improved water quality in the harbor the ability to use the water way for recreational sports is a testament to New Bedford’s commitment to take back its waterfront.  As rowing grows, NBCR hopes to facilitate New Bedford citizens in their effort to reclaim what was once stolen by polluters and give community members the opportunity to learn to row on the water that is rightfully theirs. To learn more about rowing in New Bedford please visit www.newbedfordcommunityrowing.org!

About Michael Silvia

Served 20 years in the United States Air Force. Owner of New Bedford Guide.

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One comment

  1. Vincent Savino

    Everyone I spoke to was impressed with New Bedford, the race venue and the hosts at NBCR!

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