(Recap+Photos) Return to Rowing Day 2026

Welcome back to The Boathouse Blog! 

We were thrilled with the response to Return to Rowing Day, and want to give you an update. And a special Featured Story, below.

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Return to Rowing Day was the first event of its kind, a brainchild of the masters working group at USRowing, of which Sally Mikesic is currently chair. Its purpose is to attract former rowers and give them a fun, low-pressure opportunity to reconnect with the sport. Over 60 rowing clubs throughout the country are participating this inaugural year. The hope is to make Return to Rowing Day an annual May event for all interested clubs, much like Learn to Row Day in June.

At the TRRA event on May 16:

• Recruiting came from hundreds of letters and flyers emailed to former TRRA rowers, college coaches, as well as word of mouth.

• 32 guest rowers attended, ages 20s to 80s

• They rowed in six 8+s and one quad. The other seats were filled by TRRA rowers, mainly A/AA rowers who stayed after their practice.  

• MANY additional TRRA volunteers handled registration, coxing, bringing food and setting up the brunch.

• Shout out to Nate, Bri, Kim, and Amy Mulligan, for coaching

• Participants will receive a follow-up email with information on TRRA teams and programs and how to join.

Thanks to all of you for your help in making this day a success. Attached are some pictures from the day.

Cheers,

 Sally sallymikesic@gmail.com  and Maureen maurmail@mac.com

P.S. We are asking for feedback from the coaches, staff and volunteers who worked with us to improve next year's event. Please fill out this form with any comments or ideas for next year. Thanks!

FEATURED STORY by Sally Mikesic

Three Rivers Rowing Association (TRRA) was one of approximately seventy-nine clubs to host a Return to Row event this May.  For member/event volunteer Amy and her father/guest rower Glenn, the day became the next step in rowing together.

While living in Boston, Amy had learned to row at and rowed a couple of years with Community Rowing Inc. She moved back to Pittsburgh in 2020. Amy shared that she “had been meaning to get back into rowing and my dad was the one who discovered the TRRA booth that was set up at the Pittsburgh Marathon last year. He told me I needed to talk with these guys and maybe join their rowing club. “ She joined a team at TRRA within the next month.

Glenn had not been in a boat since 2000. He started as a college rower, rowing stroke at Seattle Pacific University. In his thirties, he took up recreational sculling for six years. Through Amy, he participated in the Return to Row at TRRA on May 16th.  Boatings were done by age, so they have not rowed together……..yet.

When asked if he will return, Glenn responded, “Yes, I will plan to guest row with TRRA and consider becoming a member as well. It was good to be back on the water again.”