General News Upcoming Events Rowing Center News
Junior Program News Adult Program News
Development News BIR in the Community
General News
Meet Our New Leadership Team
It’s been two months since Amanda Pekasky and Walker Hauptman joined BIR, and their impact is already being felt across the organization. Together, this dynamic duo has been busy meeting members and key constituents in the community on and off the water, kicking off the fall season for both Junior and Adult teams, executing with the support of amazing volunteers a successful Bill Richards Memorial Regatta, supporting development with upcoming projects and events, and hiring two new coaches – there’s even more to come.
We are thrilled to have them on board and look forward to the continued positive changes they will bring. Be sure to say hello and get to know them better at our upcoming events!
Year of the Volunteer Update
We are incredibly grateful to the many BIR members who have stepped into new volunteer roles over the past few months. This summer, our volunteers have been actively involved in Bainbridge community events, and our equipment and facility teams were in action throughout August. We are close to filling our volunteer needs but are still looking for support with auction and community engagement, along with a few more equipment maintenance roles. Please check out the form here to see how you can help.
Looking into the future, we will have winter maintenance parties to get ready for the spring season. Our goal is to have groups that we engage throughout the year. With all of our efforts together, we will make a big impact.
Your tireless volunteer work makes it possible for rowing to change lives. Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm!
Upcoming Events
Countdown to the BIR Fall Invitational Regatta!
Join us for the BIR Fall Invitational Regatta, sponsored by Brown Bear Car Wash, on September 28th, 2024. BIR will be hosting junior and adult rowers from around the Sound to kick off the fall head racing season with an exciting day of rowing, community, and fun.
Whether you’re rowing or not, there’s plenty of excitement to enjoy. Watch live drone footage of the races from our incredible Rowing Center Great Room, cheer on rowers from Pritchard Park, or catch the launching and landing action from Waterfront Park.
This is one of the most anticipated events of the season, so invite your friends and family to come and join the fun. We can’t wait to share this action-packed day with you!
Learn more about the event here.
Save the Date: BIR Annual Auction
Join us on Saturday, November 9th, at the Rowing Center for our annual celebration and auction fundraiser. It promises to be a spectacular evening of community and connection as we continue to support our mission of Changing Lives.
Our “Dream Big” vision has come to life with the completion of construction of our new building, and it continues to inspire us as we change lives through rowing. We create a space that brings the community together for gathering and sharing, fostering connections and making a positive impact.
Tickets are now available! Purchase yours here. Invite your friends and family to join in the fun and help us make this event a huge success. We look forward to seeing you there!
Rowing Center News
This summer, BIR truly embodied the theme of a “marvelous medley.” From June through August, we hosted 16 special events, welcoming people from all walks of life. Our space was alive with diverse celebrations and gatherings, each bringing its unique charm and energy.
We hosted weddings and receptions, graduations, memorials, a bat mitzvah, an author and book spotlight, non-profit events, anniversaries, and strategic planning meetings. Each event added a unique flavor to our vibrant summer.
With the festive holiday season just around the corner, keep the Rowing Center in mind for all your event needs. Our excellent amenities, fabulous staff, and spectacular waterfront location have quickly made us one of the best rental venues in the West Sound! Click here to learn more and inquire about daytime and private event rentals.
Click Here to Make a Donation to Bainbridge Island Rowing
Click Here to Reserve our Rental Venue for Your Next Event
Junior Program News
BIR had three summer rowing programs which were a tremendous success. Many returning rowers actively participated throughout the summer, focusing on building their skills and endurance. Their efforts not only enhanced their own abilities but also created a welcoming and motivating environment for all participants. It was inspiring to witness the involvement of returning athletes from last year’s 8th grade program, novice and varsity, as well as those who competed at Nationals, in supporting and participating in the two week practices. Their dedication and enthusiasm truly enhanced the experience for everyone involved. The Try Rowing Camps saw impressive turnouts, making the transition from rowing in the barge to rowing in eights particularly enjoyable. Numerous new faces were welcomed, many of whom returned for subsequent summer practices alongside the experienced athletes.
Visit BIR on social media to see some highlights from the summer.
Alumni Reunion Row
Although no longer juniors, we celebrate our 16 Junior Alumni who joined us on Sunday, July 7, at the Stan Pocock Rowing Center for the fifth annual Reunion Row. Representing crews from 2002 to 2023, the group fueled up on snacks before heading out on Eagle Harbor. Under a bright blue sky, the two eights launched smoothly and were guided by Coach Bruce Beall through drills to shake off the rust. The highlight was a one-minute race to the harbor’s mouth, ending in a thrilling dead heat.
After cleaning the boats, the alums enjoyed pizza and a tour of the new rowing center. Special thanks to all who participated and made the day a success. Keep an eye out for next spring’s Reunion event!
Adult Program News
This summer was a rewarding season for the adult rowers. Early morning rows at sunrise provided the perfect backdrop for long, steady-state sessions, while shorter technical rows challenged them to navigate the low tide flats. With smaller groups on the water, there were opportunities to experiment with different lineups and equipment. Many rowers experienced the thrill of taking out pairs, doubles, and singles for the first time. The Novice Team grew stronger with the completion of three Learn to Row classes. The highlight, however, was the enthusiastic participation of alumni coaches, who stepped in to fill scheduling gaps and lead the adult programming.
Racing Recap
After a break in racing after the NW Masters Regionals in June, BIR seized two fantastic opportunities to compete before the head race season. The KISS Regatta, hosted by KRA with support of BIR’s equipment and volunteers, brought together West Sound clubs for an exciting day of racing on Liberty Bay. Shortly after, BIR proudly hosted the first Bill Richards Memorial Regatta at our newly completed Rowing Center. Despite the rainy weather, rowers from Poulsbo and Clam Island enjoyed a morning of ham ‘n egg sprints, culminating in a festive potluck and awards ceremony. This annual event, shared by BIR, KRA, and Clam Island Rowing, honors the legacy of Bill Richards, the visionary who sparked the Kitsap rowing community.
BIR in the Community
Huge thanks to the rowers and parents from the girls and boys varsity teams who turned out to assist with the Bainbridge Island Downtown Association’s (BIDA) 3rd of July Street Dance. The juniors helped with setup, and the parents rolled up their sleeves to work the beer garden. It was a fun event and a great success for our downtown!
BIR also had a fantastic time participating in the Grand Old 4th of July parade with a float, adding to the festive spirit of the day. It was a fun event and a wonderful opportunity to showcase our team spirit.
BIR members also volunteered in preparation for the highly anticipated Bainbridge Rotary Auction held July 6th. Many of them were seen at the post-event cleanup too. We love seeing our team and parents helping out and making a difference all around the community!
Thank you to everyone who contributed their time and energy to these initiatives. Your hard work and enthusiasm made a significant impact!
Development News
Exciting News – Coming Soon!
Thanks to generous community grants from Rotary and the Bainbridge Community Foundation, BIR will soon be adding a new Pocock 4+ boat to its fleet! This addition is a fantastic boost for our rowing community. Ready, Row!
Pacific Northwest History Wall Installed
Sponsored by key donors, a stunning tribute to Stan Pocock, women’s rowing, and the pioneers of rowing on the Salish waters is now a permanent installation in the Quinault hallway at BIR. We are deeply grateful for the efforts of our artistic team, Maggie Smith and Ann Livengood, who dedicated 3 ½ years to researching and working with Pocock family photos, UW rowing archives, and conversations with Stan’s family and friends. Special thanks to Sue Entress for her diligence and graphic expertise in creating the production files for all 23 images and texts. This unique treasure is now available for all to enjoy!
Friends of Stan Pocock Tribute Event
Heartfelt tributes were paid to Stan Pocock by family and rowers he coached at an event hosted by BIR at the Rowing Center on August 24th. Please take a moment to read a special tribute from Theo Mittet, Olympic ’64 bronze medalist, who was coached by Stan. Special thanks to Lynn Chun (Stan’s step-daughter), Bill Tytus (who bought the boat-building business from Stan), Sue Pocock, and Bruce Beall for sharing their love and memories of Stan. The link to the full Theo Mittet Speech can be found HERE.
