March 10 – Philadelphia, PA
The Head of the Schuylkill Regatta (HOSR), celebrating its 50th anniversary, and Philadelphia City Rowing (PCR), celebrating its 10th anniversary, have created a partnership for 2020 as each celebrates not only the past but, more importantly, the next phase of their respective organizations, and the impact each will have on the greater Philadelphia community.
To kick off the year, and the partnership, the HOSR has donated to PCR a launch to help that organization better serve their kids while on the water. According to Jen Wesson, Executive Director of the HOSR “PCR is touching the lives of so many Philadelphia students on and off the water. We want to ensure that they have the equipment they need to do their job. Though we look forward to an exciting anniversary year, this is a long-term partnership to promote exposure and access to the sport of rowing”.
The launch was officially donated on February 24, the first day high school students were allowed back on the water. The timing was appropriate as so many kids were able to share in the excitement as this new addition to their fleet. Caitlin Mance, Executive Director of PCR, agrees that the timing was perfect. “With over 120 students in the Spring 2020 program, many of them new and or middle school students, we must have all of our coaches on the water teaching and supervising. We must ensure that we can serve our kids and good equipment is an important part of being able to do that. Our sincere thanks to the HOSR for recognizing how important this is for us. We too, look forward to our partnership and expect 2020 to be a productive year for all of us, on many levels.”
The two organizations have been meeting on a regular basis and a planning committee is in the process of producing several coordinated events throughout the year. As in the past, PCR will compete in the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta, October 24 & 25, 2020.
About Philadelphia City Rowing
Philadelphia City Rowing (“PCR”) has a mission to empower Philadelphia public school students to reach their greatest potential. We believe that by providing academic support, mentoring, nutrition education, and enrichment activities in conjunction with a highly structured athletic program, we can improve the academic achievement, health outcomes, and personal development of our participants. PCR maintains a culture that reaches under-resourced youth, puts students first, and is inclusive, transformative, and engaged with the community. We actively recruit at-risk students in order to reach those who have the most to gain from our programming, and to ensure that all of our participants benefit from a team environment that reflects the rich racial, ethnic, and socio-economical diversity of Philadelphia. Visit https://www.philadelphiacityrowing.org/
About the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta
The Head of the Schuylkill Regatta began in 1970 when members of the University Barge Club decided to offer rowers of all ages a congenial race on the iconic Schuylkill River. The Regatta’s spirit of inclusion grew along with the size and scope of the event. At a time when only college crews competed in the fall ‘head’ or distance races, the Head of the Schuylkill opened racing to high schools, emerging masters and veterans rowers. The Head of the Schuylkill Regatta now welcomes more than 9,000 competitors, 40,000 spectators, and 350 volunteers each year. The weekend features races for high school, collegiate, masters, adaptive, and elite rowers and a free two-day Fall Festival amidst the backdrop of the beautiful and historic city of Philadelphia.