USRowing Donates $800,000 in Equipment to Freedom Rows Clubs Serving Veterans

USRowing is proud to announce the donation of over $800,000 worth of rowing equipment — including boats, trailers, and safety launches — to the Freedom Rows clubs that support and serve veterans across the country. 

Freedom Rows was a national adaptive rowing initiative funded by a federal Adaptive Sport Grant, running from 2014 to 2024. Over the past 10 years, the program has engaged and supported more than 5,000 injured veterans through inclusive rowing opportunities at 33 participating USRowing member clubs. After a decade of Freedom Rows programming and receiving the Adaptive Sport Grant from the Veterans Administration, the grant was denied in 2024. USRowing is pleased to continue supporting Veterans-serving organizations through the United We Row grants, free USRowing memberships for Veterans, free access to CrewLab, and this equipment donation. In addition, USRowing provided nearly $2.5M in support throughout the decade-long program, including: 

• Over $875,000 in adaptive supplies (oars, pontoons, safety gear, communication devices)
• Over $850,000 in coaching stipends 
• Over $750,000 to fund veterans’ travel to regional and national training and competition events 

In its final year alone, the program generated enough on-water programming hours to equal rowing 24 hours a day for three consecutive years—a testament to the passion and commitment of the veterans and the Freedom Rows community. 

“We are deeply grateful for the leaders and volunteers who made Freedom Rows possible – including our own Deb Arenberg,” said Jennie Trayes, Chief Community Officer. “Most of all, we thank the veterans whose service, dedication, and resilience have inspired our entire rowing community.” 

Watch the Freedom Rows 10 year celebration video to see how the program helped injured and disabled veterans experience the life-changing benefits of rowing. 

Veterans, Stay Connected! 
If you’re a veteran who rows, we invite you to stay active and stay connected through CrewLab, a new virtual fitness and rowing community. Join us for a virtual call on August 12 at 7 p.m. ET to learn more and get involved. Register here.