Sarasota to Host US Rowing Youth National Championships for Next Three Years | Sports Destination Management

Sarasota to Host US Rowing Youth National Championships for Next Three Years

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Aug 16, 2018

USRowing will be partnering with Visit Sarasota County and the Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Associates (SANCA) to bring the USRowing Youth National Championships back to Florida for the next three years, the organizations announced on Sunday.

Nathan Benderson Park, which hosted the 2017 World Rowing Championships last September, will play host to the event from 2019-2021.

“Visit Sarasota County is thrilled to welcome youth rowers from across the U.S. back to our community for the next three years,” said Visit Sarasota County President Virginia Haley. “USRowing has been instrumental in helping Sarasota County achieve our status as a world-class rowing destination. We look forward to continuing to grow our partnership and are dedicated to producing outstanding events for the Youth National Championships.”

USRowing’s goal in seeking a three-year agreement was to provide the best, most consistent racing experience for the athletes and coaches, provide cost stability and savings to re-invest into the event, spur venue and community development around the sport of rowing, and develop greater commercial and sponsorship programs in association with the local organizing committee to support the sport.

“We are excited to partner with SANCA and Visit Sarasota County in bringing this premier event back to Sarasota,” said USRowing Chief Executive Officer Patrick McNerney. “Nathan Benderson Park is a beautiful facility and will provide our young athletes with a world-class racing experience to end their racing season.”

Nathan Benderson Park is striving to play a significant role in the development of the sport. Hosting national championships such as the USRowing Youth National Championships and winter training for collegiate teams will help prepare athletes to enter onto the international stage.

“Hosting the USRowing Youth National Championships for three consecutive years provides SANCA with the opportunity to raise the bar, providing an enhanced experience for the coaches and athletes each year,” said SANCA/Nathan Benderson Park CEO President and CEO Stephen V. Rodriguez. “We look forward to providing the athletes and coaches a memorable and first-class racing experience in Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida.”

Dates for the 2019 regatta will be released later this summer.

In addition to world-renowned rowing, the Sarasota area is home to dozens of attractions, such as the famed Siesta Beach, of which athletes and their families can take advantage.

About Visit Sarasota County: Visit Sarasota County leads and supports the tourism industry in Sarasota County by providing the highest quality and most innovative marketing programs and promotions to ensure the continued growth of tourism and travel from visitors around the world. VSC works to position Sarasota County as the must-experience sports destination on Florida’s Gulf Coast through quality events and initiatives. For more information, contact Shelby Connett at 941-955-0991, ext. 114, or sconnett@visitsarasota.org.

About SANCA: Though a Sarasota County Park, NBP is operated by the Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Associates, Inc. (SANCA), which is a 501(C)3 non-profit corporation dedicated to the development and promotion of the park as a world class event center and team training site. For more information about Nathan Benderson Park, please contact 941-358-7275 or info@sanca.us.

About USRowing: USRowing is a nonprofit organization recognized by the United States Olympic Committee as the governing body for the sport of rowing in the United States. USRowing has 75,000 individual members and 1,350 member organizations, offering rowing programs for all. USRowing receives generous support from the National Rowing Foundation and its corporate sponsors and partners. 

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