USRowing’s Belonging Survey Shows Major Strides in Inclusion and Community Connection

• Survey Participation quadrupled since 2022, with nearly 4,000 respondents and more than double the number of coaches engaged.
• A sense of belonging increased by 39% on teams and 208% within USRowing as an organization.
• More rowers and coaches are showing up authentically, with notable gains among Black, LGBTQ+, non-binary, and Hispanic participants.

USRowing today released the results of its 2024 Belonging Survey, revealing substantial growth in community participation and meaningful strides in creating a more inclusive environment across all levels of the sport. Compared to 2022, the results show marked progress in how athletes, coaches, and members experience a sense of belonging, both within their teams and with USRowing as an organization.

The bi-yearly Belonging Survey is a key component of USRowing’s commitment to inclusion and belonging. The 2024 results not only reflect increased engagement but also demonstrate measurable improvements in the lived experiences of rowers and coaches across various identity groups. From greater authenticity and visibility among underrepresented communities to a stronger connection with national leadership, these gains represent meaningful momentum toward a more welcoming and equitable future for American rowing.

Key highlights from the 2024 Belonging Survey include:

• 4x increased participation in the Belonging Survey. In 2022, only 801 people took the belonging survey, whereas in 2024, the number increased to 3,904.  
• Over 2x more coaches engaged in the survey than in 2022. In 2022, only 128 coaches participated in the survey, and in 2024, the number increased to 335.  
• Increased sense of belonging on teams. The average percentage increase for those who feel a sense of belonging on their team is 39%.  
• Increased sense of belonging with USRowing. The average percentage increase for those who feel a sense of belonging with USRowing is 208%.  
• Across 90% of identity groups, more rowers openly show up as themselves, and fewer rowers are hiding parts of their culture, feeling pressure to adapt to norms, or feeling excluded.  
• Athletes with disabilities – from 62% in 2022 to 71% in 2024  
• Black rowers – from 40% in 2022 to 55% in 2024  
• Coaches overall: Report a 24% average increase in fully showing up as themselves.
• Black coaches: Improved from 25% to 50% fully showing up.
• LGBTQ coaches: Increased from 42% to 58% fully showing up.
• Non-binary and Transgender coaches: Jumped from 12.5% to 50% fully showing up.
• Hispanic or Latino coaches: Increased from 71.4% to 84.6% fully showing up.

“These results reflect the power of listening to our members and taking action,” said Jennie Trayes, Chief of Community Engagement at USRowing. “We are incredibly proud of the progress shown in this year’s survey and grateful to the thousands of rowers and coaches who shared their experiences. There is much more work to do, but with the continued effort from our team at USRowing and the broader rowing community, we will continue to see progress in making our sport a place where more people can truly belong.”

The Belonging Survey is one of several ongoing initiatives under USRowing’s commitment to belonging and inclusion, which includes programming, partnerships, and resources designed to ensure every athlete, coach, and supporter feels safe, seen, and valued.