Small Club Saturday: PEAK Rowing

General Club Information:

When was your club founded?

June 2020

What is the general background of the club?

There was a need for a club that was inclusive for veterans and people with disabilities to row in addition to the traditional masters programs.

What is your club's mission/goals?

We believe in creating an environment of strong kinship among rowers through service and positive support. We are PEAK, "powerfully engaged in athletic kinship."

Any motto or quotes your boathouse lives by?

"Locked and loaded produces the leverage." "Rowing for every ability."

Program Structure:

What initiatives has your club implemented to bring in students and athletes?

We're so new that we haven't been able to advertise to students yet, but we plan to get the city engaged at rec centers and schools by introducing ergs to teens at local PE accesses and gym access. We plan to reach out to traditional athletes that get cut to invite them to row.

How is your program structured? Do you compete at a higher level or against other clubs, etc.?

We just got permission to exist at Standley Lake in Westminster, so we have not competed yet, although there will be local regattas like the 5280m head race hosted by Rocky Mountain Rowing Club. We also plan to create a paddler's regatta including multiple paddle sports that the city will help us advertise for.

Small Club Tips:

Can you talk about your fundraising efforts and how you do outreach throughout your community?

We are just starting an initiative where the parks and rec department purchased two Oar Boards to use with their SUPs, so that we can teach learn-to-row to gain interest and the city can keep renting out the Oar Board for patrons usings SUPs. The goal is to create some cash flow for the lake and our club.

What are some recommendations or strategies that have allowed your club to be successful in growing and maintaining members over the year?

We were founded with an erg based demographic. Therefore, the workouts have been year round, twice a month on Saturdays. This is conducive to any season and consistent to keep interest. We plan to reach out to local VAs, rehab centers, community flyers and schools.

Any tips to share that might help other small clubs do the same in their communities?

Not yet.

Have you run into challenges with getting members? Any advice on how other collegiate clubs can combat?

We're too new to say.

Anything else you would like to share about your club that would be beneficial to other clubs and our members!

We haven't gotten off the ground, yet but when we do, we hope to be able to share our experience. Thanks for this opportunity!