PRINCETON, N.J. – HOPSports, Inc., creator of a revolutionary fitness program, has partnered with USRowing to improve students’ health and wellness, the organizations announced on Wednesday. Timed with the unveiling of USRowing’s inclusion and diversity initiative America Rows, the partnership with HOPSports will focus on fostering inclusion and growing youth participation in rowing.

"USRowing is excited to join the Hop Sports family in bringing healthful lifestyle sport to our youth," said USRowing CEO Glenn Merry. "This partnership reaches the next generation of Americans and will provide a unique opportunity for more than a million school children to feel, touch and experience rowing where they might not otherwise be able to."

HOPSports is currently installed in schools and youth community sites in 43 U.S. states, reaching an estimated 1 million youth each week, with an estimated 4 million by the end of 2010. Utilizng 21st century media technology, the HOPSports Training System (HTS) infuses celebrities, DVR technology and fun into physical education and fitness activities that encourage kids to choose healthy lifestyles and career choices.

“One of the core goals of America Rows is aimed at increasing awareness of rowing and introducing the sport of rowing to a diverse group of Americans,” said USRowing Inclusion Manager Richard Butler. “With a click of a button, the HOPSports partnership enables us to reach our goal. Well over one million young people will be able to work out the same way that our Olympians workout.”

Rowing fitness lessons and activities will be delivered through a multi-screen format to integrate nutrition, fun facts, anatomy instruction and educational messaging in a fun and exciting workout experience. Besides proper skill instruction at the basic levels, the initiative’s goal is to educate the HOPSports audience on the history of USRowing and to promote a series of lessons that will be inclusive in nature.

“HOPSports is extremely proud of its partnership with USRowing and looks forward to energizing and educating students on the basic skills of rowing along with an educational message on water supply and careers in water,” said HOPSports President Cindy Sisson. “We are confident that HOPSports’ capacity to reach such a diverse cross-section of American children will have a profound effect in raising sustainable awareness of the great sport of rowing.”

About HOPSports
HOPSports is the industry leader in teaching movement through technology. HOPSports is a multi-media instructional tool for physical education teachers and fitness instructors, delivered through DVR technology. The multi-screen format provides fitness lesson plans that meet state and national standards while integrating nutrition, fun facts, anatomy instruction and educational messaging in a fun and exciting environment. HOPSports' delivery mechanism is simple to use and is a great tool for K-12 physical educators and before and after school fitness instructors to teach along with HOPSports' host of exciting trainers. HOPSports is currently installed in schools and youth community sites in 43 U.S. states. For more information, please visit www.hopsports.com.

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’s Official Supplier is Boathouse Sports; its Official Eyewear and Helmet Supplier is Rudy Project; its Official Patron is Concept2; its Official Electronics Outfitter is Nielsen Kellerman; and its Official Timer is Powerhouse Timing. USRowing also receives generous support from the National Rowing Foundation.

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