Rowing Changes Lives
At Bainbridge Island Rowing, we believe that rowing is more than just a sport—it’s a transformative experience that brings people together, fosters personal growth, and builds lasting connections within our community.
Our “Rowing Changes Lives” video highlights the impact rowing has had on individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Through teamwork, dedication, and perseverance, our members not only achieve physical fitness but also develop critical life skills such as leadership, resilience, and mutual respect.
Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or new to the sport, rowing offers a unique opportunity to challenge yourself, find camaraderie, and contribute to a supportive and inclusive community. We invite you to watch our video and see firsthand how rowing can change lives, one stroke at a time.
Our Community and Venue Space
Our rowing center has not only changed lives through the sport but also by serving as a vibrant community hub. Our versatile venue space has hosted memorials, weddings, community classes, and more, providing a place where connections are forged and cherished memories are made.
We are so excited for the second annual Brown Bear Regatta on Bainbridge on Sunday, September 28th! Our entire Bainbridge community is invited to come and hang out with us and enjoy a day of racing! We really can’t wait to see everyone and share about what we do! Thank you Brown Bear for sponsoring such a great event with us!

…pulling into the ferry dock. Hey, BIR. 👋🏻
Side note, that water looks gorgeous. 🥰

What a geat Alumni Row this past weekend! We had 31 alumni join in on the fun — our largest one to date! 🎉 Some of our summer campers joined in for the racing – so we had 5 8s and a quad out racing! Way to go!

7 girls + Coach Chelea + 2 dogs + 10 miles of vigorous hiking + lots of popsicles in Quilcene at the end of the hike = very fun day yesterday! @birvarsitygirls
Thanks to Chelsea for the pic! ⛰️🥾☀️

Did you make it by the Rowing Center on the 4th? 🇺🇸 We had so much fun partnering with our friends at Bainbridge Event Rentals for an indoor fun zone for kids. Bouncy houses, games, coloring, movies, snacks, a Photo Booth and more! We loved having the community here! Thank you to everyone who came for all the festivities!

Happy 4th from BIR! 🇺🇸 What a fun day! Thank you Meloni Courtway for this pic from today!

Our Alumni Row is right around the corner on July 5, 9-11 AM! This is your chance to reunite with old teammates, get back in a boat, and maybe even enjoy a little friendly competition. Whether you’ve been training or just want to relive the magic, we hope to see you there!
Beyond this event, we want the boathouse to be more than just a place to row—we want it to be a home where you always feel welcome. Whether through social gatherings, rowing opportunities, or mentorship, we hope to keep alumni connected.
We can’t wait to reconnect and keep the BIR spirit alive—on and off the water. Whether through Alumni Row, future events, or simply staying in touch, we hope to see you soon!

Join us at the Boathouse on July 4th! 🇺🇸
Visiting the Grand Old Fourth Beer Garden at Waterfront Park on the 4th?🍺 Come see us at our Boathouse! We will have our Snack Shack serving up hotdogs, popcorn, and peanuts in support of our rowing scholarship program! 🌭🍿🥜🍺
Indoors, enjoy our family fun zone that includes bounce houses and kid activities — like bracelet making, lawn games and temporary tattoos!
Not to mention, a great place to cool off out of the sunshine! See you on the 4th!

It’s been one week since Adult Regionals and thought you might like to hear how the weekend went! It was one for the books…
From white-knuckle races to soaking-wet team huddles, Adult Regionals had it all—and our crew showed up with grit, grace, and a whole lot of heart.
Across 28 races, BIR athletes gave everything they had, from seasoned veterans to newly-formed lineups. Whether the result was a podium finish, a personal best, or an unforgettable sprint to the line, every boat added to the strength and spirit of the team.
BIR qualified for finals in 22 of the 28 races we entered and brought home 12 medals. If you count the three heats that earned medals before the afternoon cancellations, that number climbs to 15 total. Despite eight finals being cancelled, BIR medaled in 12 of the 14 finals we raced. In short: we showed up and showed out.
The weather kept things spicy. Friday brought squalls every 10–20 minutes—a true test of our resilience. Saturday’s heavy downpour eventually led to race cancellations. Then Sunday rolled in with sunshine and a much-deserved dry finish. Through it all, spirits stayed high, boats kept moving, and team dinners reminded us just how much we love doing this together. This regatta was absolutely a season highlight.
BIG THANKS to Aaron Leong for these great images! We appreciate you!

…just a few pics to start! Such a great weekend for the Adult NW Regionals at Covered Bridge! BIR was in 25+ events over the weekend and there was great racing by everyone! 👊🏻 More pics and a round up this week! Thanks @andrewblock178 for these first images!
