YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP, Mich.—As part of the 2025 USRowing Summer National Championships, RowFest is offering two free “Learn to Row” sessions—one for youth and one for adults—at Ford Lake Park in Ypsilanti Township this July. The sessions are hosted by Friends of Detroit Rowing, USRowing, and the Ann Arbor Sports Commission.
Each session includes an introduction to rowing equipment, a safety briefing, and on-water instruction from experienced coaches and athletes. No prior experience is needed, and everyone is welcome.
“Rowing is an incredible sport that opens doors, whether it’s building fitness, community, or even college opportunities,” says Mike Gentile of Friends of Detroit Rowing. “But not everyone has had the chance to try it. These Learn to Row sessions are about breaking down barriers and introducing more people, especially youth, to the sport in a fun and welcoming way.”
The sessions will be held on Michigan’s new Olympic-level 2,000-meter course at Ford Lake—one of just 13 championship-level rowing venues in the U.S. Recent upgrades include eight racing lanes, a starting dock, anchors, buoys, floating platforms, and submersible infrastructure. The course was designed by Tim Royalty, the engineer behind the 1984 and 1996 Olympic rowing venues.
“We’re excited to partner with USRowing during RowFest to expose the local community to rowing – both by watching and learning to row,” says Meaghan Hughes, director of the Ann Arbor Sports Commission. “We hope to see you there!”
For more information and schedules, visit https://www.annarbor.org/sports-commission/calendar/rowfest/.
