Who is OAR?
Olympia Area Rowing (OAR) promotes competitive and recreational rowing for adults and youth in the local community, fostering sportsmanship, teamwork, athleticism and camaraderie.
Best of luck to OAR youth rowers competing in Sarasota, Florida, this June.
UPDATE: Summer Camp information for 2021 has been updated 5/10/21 at https://olympiaarearowing.org/summer-camps/
New rower two-week camps begin in May and continue through August for middle school and high school students. Cost is $225 for two four-day weeks. Learn basic rowing skills and have fun this summer!
Job Opportunity
Director of Rowing
The Director of Rowing is responsible for the strategy, vision and operations of all OAR coached rowing programs, including managing and developing effective coaches, recruiting and retaining athletes, creating a culture of safety, coordinating equipment, managing a budget, and facilitating communication among athletes, parents, and volunteers. Supporting the organization’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is critical. Above all there is a need for leadership and a relentless spirit of positivity. This position is year-round, full-time exempt and includes a health care benefits package as well as paid time off. OAR is operated by a volunteer board of directors and this position reports to OAR’s board president.
For more information, see Jobs.
UPDATE: OAR Summer Fundraising Campaign
Dear OAR Family and Friends,
Thanks to your generous support, we have met our original fundraising match of $5,000! We are able to purchase a new Vespoli SD single and two Concept 2 ergs. Thank you so much.
But wait, there’s more great news! Another very generous supporter of OAR is offering a $3,000 matching grant if we can raise that amount by Monday, August 31st!
For every additional $1,000 we fundraise, we can purchase another erg to add to our erg library. And if we fundraise another $7,000, we can purchase another new Vespoli SD single!
Your donation can help us meet the new match of $3,000. To make a donation and help fund equipment needs, please visit https://olympiaarearowing.org/donate/ to make a donation online. Or you may mail your donation to PO Box 7148, Olympia, WA 98507.
Thank you so much to all of our supporters!
With gratitude,
Becky Hellman
President, OAR Board of Directors
OAR junior rower, Natalie Bailey, used a Vespoli loaner during a scrimmage on Monday at Vancouver Lake.
Your donation will enable us to purchase similar Vespoli singles for all of our club members to use.
Olympia Area Rowing Association is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Your contribution is tax deductible to the extent allowable by law. No goods or services were provided in exchange for your generous financial donation. EIN 91-1939589
OAR Summer Fundraising Campaign
To Our OAR Family –
When COVID-19 hit our community, OAR quickly shifted to preserve club resources and create a safe rowing environment for rowers of all ages to “keep the distance together.” Now, like other non-profit organizations in our region, OAR asks for your financial support to stay afloat.
I’m reaching out to share the news that an anonymous donor has agreed to match the first $5,000 raised in our summer campaign. We need your help with a financial donation now so we don’t lose this opportunity. A gift by Monday, August 31 will allow us to secure this money, desperately needed by the club. Monies raised will be earmarked for equipment.
While navigating safety during the pandemic, the club’s priorities have shifted to focus on rowing in small boats and connecting athletes via remote practice plans, called VirtualOAR. Your gift will specifically support equipment needs including the purchase of new ergs and Vespoli SD singles.
- During the spring, we loaned 10 fully functioning ergs to OAR families. With your help, we can expand our “erg library” and loan an erg to every rower who needs one. Each erg costs around $900.
- The pressure on our racing singles is immense, especially as new rowers graduate from beginner shells. Vespoli created a new SD model, which is appropriate for both training and racing. The price tag is $6,950 plus tax and shipping.
Practical equipment purchases impact all rowers at the club and makes our beloved sport more accessible, as we navigate this public health crisis.
Our goal is to raise at least $10,000 to purchase new equipment. For every $10,000 raised, OAR can buy one Vespoli SD single and two Concept2 ergs allowing club members of all ages to continue training, and “keeping our distance together.” The OAR board is offering naming rights of a Vespoli SD single to the largest donation over $1,000 during this fund drive!*
Donating to our summer fundraising campaign by August 31 is so simple:
- Visit https://olympiaarearowing.org/donate/ to quickly make a donation online.
- Mail a donation to PO Box 7148 Olympia, WA 98507.
Join me in supporting OAR with a donation before the end of August. You can help meet the club’s equipment needs and secure the $5,000 matching grant. Until our presence can be closer, your support of this fundraising campaign allows OAR to “keep the distance together.”
Sincerely,
Becky
Becky Hellman
President, OAR Board of Directors
Olympia Area Rowing Association is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Your contribution is tax deductible to the extent allowable by law. No goods or services were provided in exchange for your generous financial donation. EIN 91-1939589
*Boat name subject to Board approval
OAR’s COVID-19 Response Update May 26, 2020
Health and safety of our members and our community is our number one priority. We know that our current rowers are eager to get back on the water, and many more members of our Olympia community are looking to explore a new outdoor sport. We are working hard on responsible and safe ways to make this happen in accordance with guidelines issued by USRowing, the State of Washington, and Thurston County Public Health and Social Services, while remembering that we are privileged and fortunate to be able to row at this time.
The boathouse is currently open to adult members using private and club singles following our new COVID-19 Safety Protocol. Please check back for updates regarding coached programs for both Adult and Youth Program rowers.
-OAR COVID-19 Task Force
Youth Program Summer Rowing — 2020 Summer Programs options offered to Middle School and High School student athletes.
Summer Registration for the OAR Youth Summer Camps for new rowers is open! Learning to row in a single-person scull is a great way to enjoy the outdoors in a socially distanced setting.
Please join us to learn the sport of rowing, enjoy being out on the water, and see Puget Sound from a new perspective!
Summer programs are available in July and August.
For dates and more information, see OAR High School Beginning Sculling Camp
RETURNING High School athletes who have participated in at least one prior camp
For dates and more information, see Novice High School Sculling Guide
Returning Middle School athletes who have participated in at least one prior camp
For dates and more information, see OAR Middle School Novice Summer Camps 2020
Contact Gretchen Van Dusen at oargirlsteam@gmail.com to receive program updates when they become available.
Adult Summer Rowing — Opportunities for New Rowers
Registration for the OAR Learn to Scull program will be open soon! Learning to row in a single-person scull is a great way to enjoy the outdoors in a socially distanced setting.
Please join us to learn the sport of rowing, enjoy being out on the water, and see Puget Sound from a new perspective!
Stay tuned!
Contact Joan Cullen at grannyjoan4@aol.com to receive program updates when they become available.