OARS Racing Team

The Lady OARS Racing Team began in 2012 and quickly became a fixture within our club, with a dozen or so OARS members practicing regularly and rowing at races around the region up to six times a year.

It continues to grow, and in 2021 changed its name to the OARS Racing Team following the decision to have men join the group. Now OARS can put men's, women's or mixed crews on the water for competitions.

The OARS Racing Team is a welcoming group. They’ll teach new members everything they need to know — including how to row. One requirement is a membership fee, about $100 a year. That covers race entry fees and lift and ferry fees as needed to get the boats (usually the Annie C. and/or the Island Star) to Port Townsend, La Conner, Lake Whatcom or wherever they’re racing next.

The commitment of time, money and effort is well worth it, say members, some of whom have been with the group since it started. They cite the camaraderie of the crews and the sense of accomplishment they get when rowing for an hour or more in the friendly competitions.

The races draw boats, canoes, kayaks, paddle boards — all sorts of craft that compete in different categories and make each event quite a spectacle. Our much-admired OARS boats often fall in the “other” category. There just aren’t many four-oared wooden boats around.

The rowers typically kick off the season in January at an organizational meeting where members set the race schedule, elect officers and committee chairs and collect dues. But they welcome interest any time.

Change of pace
Different strokes
Practice pays off
A welcoming group
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