Mercer Island Rowing Club launches inaugural summer program

Published 5:30 pm Thursday, July 2, 2026

Rowing has finally arrived for Mercer Islanders this summer and people are stoked to be on the water.

After its foundation in 2024, the Mercer Island Rowing Club brought its game plan to fruition by launching its Learn to Row program for kids and adults on June 22 at the Luther Burbank Park south swim beach.

The club’s boats are stored in a 40-by-70-foot tent near Lake Washington and the participants walk the boats onto the water for their two-week sessions from 5-7 a.m. (adults) and 8-10 a.m. (kids) Monday-Friday. The initial adult session is full and the kids camps are sold out for the summer with a wait list.

“There’s definitely a lot of demand, which has been fantastic to get to this point and show that Mercer Island wants rowing to happen, right? That was the whole point of this pilot program this summer was to show that people are interested and we’ve definitely done that so far. It’s really exciting,” said club president Lauren Alexander, adding that sessions will run through Aug. 28.

Age-wise, youth campers consist of rowers entering eighth grade through their senior year and the adult sessions are wide open in the age realm. One 73-year-old has been learning to row with the club, and that is thrilling to see for Alexander.

“It’s truly an all-ages sport. We’re seeing multi-generational friendships being made in these adult rowing camps” she said.

Alexander and her club colleagues have their program marked out in three phases, beginning with this summer’s pilot sessions and receiving community feedback, then trying to find a semi-permanent five- to 10-year location and finally constructing a boathouse. They’d ultimately like to have a year-round program in place.

In January, the registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit club signed a final contract with the city to reach its first phase, according to a previous Reporter story. The Island’s first-ever rowing club is endorsed and supported by the city, Rotary Club of Mercer Island, the George Pocock Rowing Foundation and an abundance of Islanders. The club’s total fundraising amount, including in-kind donations, has reached $175,000.

As they’re hitting the water this summer, participants are learning proper rowing technique and form, boat handling and water safety, equipment basics and terminology and teamwork and communication.

Head coach Alex Barnaby-Brown and assistant coach Sheamin Kim are operating the camp for the approximately 120 rowers this summer. After campers pass a state-required 10-minute float test in a pool with a lifeguard watching, they are given the green light to get rowing, Alexander said.

“Helping to start this program on Mercer Island has been a great opportunity to engage with this tight-knit community while sharing the beautiful sport of rowing with everyone. People are showing up curious and eager to learn, which has been such a joy to be a part of,” said Barnaby-Brown.

On the boat front, some rowing clubs donated five eights, a four and a quad to the Mercer Island club to get its program underway. They also have some single boats in the tent.

When rowers are out on the water, they’ve seen copious wildlife such as otters, eagles and more. Alexander said it’s a peaceful and magical experience for everyone involved in the program.

“It’s amazing waking up with the sun rising, the water’s flat, and you’re just getting to know people and move the boat along,” she said.

Charleigh Harmsen, 14, provided some insight into the camp experience: “It’s nice to be on the water early in the morning doing something productive and being outside. I signed up for more sessions because of it. I love learning something new.”

Added Yuvl Gupta, 13: “It’s a good balance during the day between being active in the morning and my tech use in the afternoons. I like how you have to work as a team in the boat but you are also doing your own thing in the boat to make it go faster.”

Adult rower Cristina Martinez said she loves the sport and notes that it teaches mindfulness and reminds participants to move in rhythm with one another.

“It’s a powerful counterbalance to the tech-heavy world we all live in, giving all of us a chance to slow down and reconnect while helping children build the focus, resilience, wellness, and meaningful human connections they need to thrive,” she said.

For club and summer camp information, visit: https://www.mercerislandrowingclub.org/.