The Duluth Rowing Club hosted their 64th Annual Duluth International Regatta along Minnesota Point. There were about 170 rowers registered for the event on Saturday, July 13th. More than three quarters of the rowers at the event were part of the Youth division.

Eric Dott, the president of the Duluth Rowing Club, says they lucked out with good weather for rowing.

“We’re totally dependent on good weather. Good weather for rowers is when it’s calm, not a lot of wind. Not too many waves because the rowing shells are designed to go best in flat, calm water,” Dott said. “So when it’s good for sailing, it’s not so good for rowing. When it’s good for rowing, it’s not so great for sailors.”

Dott also says the International Regatta brings teams and rowers from all over.

“We have teams here today from Canada, Thunder Bay, the Brainerd Lakes area and the Twin Cities area, as well as our club. We have about 100 rowers from our club participating today.” Dott said. “It all only works if they work together. So the whole thing from day one, when a kid first come down here, the first thing they learn is they got to work together. They have to communicate kind of a unique thing for youth in a lot of areas. It’s like, you know, a basketball team has to work together, too.”

Brook Odland says this was her first year of being captain and third year of rowing with the Duluth Rowing Club.

“if you don’t work together, then the boats can flip and stuff can break. But you learn a lot about teamwork and I think you really learn how to mentally push yourself,” Odland said. “There’s a lot of things that you need to keep track of in your head as well as physically.”

Odland also says she thinks people come back to the Duluth International Regatta every year, because of the camaraderie and love of rowing.

“It’s just a really great way to be active and to push yourself, grow, and the community is really great. I think it’s a skill that’s really fun to learn,” Odland said. “Whether you want to take it seriously in race, or if you just want to do it as a fun activity, it’s a really great way to get outside and do something new.”

For more information about the Junior Duluth Rowing Club you can read more here. Also for other stories with the Duluth Rowing Club you can read more here.