Sixty-five clubs from across the nation participated in the Sarasota Invitational Regatta Feb. 27 and Feb. 28.
By
Jen Blanco
| 8:40 p.m. February 28, 2016
East County
Sports
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Nearly 1,500 athletes hit the water for the Sarasota Invitational Regatta Feb. 27 and Feb. 28, at Nathan Benderson Park.Â
The regatta, which saw a record-breaking turnout, served as the official start of the 2016 season. Youth, masters and adaptive rowers from 65 clubs across the nation participated in the seventh annual event.Â
In addition to the regular slate of races, this year's regatta also featured a Rowing for Life event, which combined eight youth and adult rowers competing for a $1000 prize, and two Operation Showdown races reserved for military veterans.Â
The Sarasota Rowing Club's Mixed Masters 8+ boat heads toward the starting line.
Members of the Sarasota Crew masters program pack up one their boats.
Rowers from Potomac and the Sarasota County Rowing Club teamed up for the Mixed Masters 4x race.
Members of the Indianapolis Rowing Club take the water in preparation for the final race of the day: the Mixed Masters 8+.
Masters rowers from Chinook Performance Racing traveled from San Diego for the Sarasota Invitational Regatta.
Sarasota Crew rower Gail Chase returned to the water after having spent the past year and a half recovering from a broken arm.
Linda Simpson and Beth Dodds both row for the Sarasota Crew.
Teams from Gainesville Rowing and Jacksonville/Cambridge compete in the Mixed Masters 4x.
Sarasota Crew masters rower Barbara Shivers works on a boat in between races.
Thyra Schwab, Tonya Johnson, Beth Dodds, Kim Mitchell, Becky Bolletti and Barbara Shivers compete for the Sarasota Crew.
Sixty-five teams from across the country participated in a variety of races, including mixed and men's parent and child races.
