Mercer Island residents can’t miss Lauren Alexander, Jessica Apodaca and Shannon Leversedge when they’re out and about in the community.
They’ll most likely be sporting their brand new Mercer Island Rowing Club (MI Rowing) sweatshirts to apprise locals about their club that is aiming to splash into the Island realm in the summer of 2026. A pilot program is first on their docket and they plan to grow from there with youth and adult recreational/competitive programs.
Alexander is president and Apodaca and Leversedge are co-vice presidents of the club, which was founded last year and has tentative approval of a rowing program in partnership with the city of Mercer Island and is currently evaluating options in Luther Burbank Park, according to the club’s website.
The registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit’s mission statement said that it “cultivates a deeper connection to our environment and community by enabling individuals of all ages and abilities access to rowing.”
This year will be all about outreach, planning and fundraising.
“We want this to be for anybody in the community. All ages can row and learn to row and keep people on the Island,” said Alexander, who grew up rowing on Vashon Island. “We live on an Island, right? So there’s great access to water. So I figured I’ll start asking around (in 2023), see if anyone’s interested in rowing also. And through that process, just put some fliers up, put some stuff on Facebook. And we had like 250 people that were interested in a rowing club.”
Mercer Island Recreation Manager Ryan Daly noted that the city’s 2022 Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Plan “established a goal to expand service offerings for water-oriented recreation programs — and this is a great stride toward meeting that goal.”
It is the first-ever rowing club on the Island, according to the founding trio, which added that there’s always been an interest in launching a club, and enthusiasts — including Leversedge — have tried to do so over the years.
Mercer Island’s rowing history features local Al Ulbrickson Sr., who was a legendary rower and coach of the 1936 United States gold medal-winning Olympic rowing team, known as “The Boys in the Boat.” He also coached the 1948 squad that notched an Olympic gold.
With the endorsement and support from the city of Mercer Island, Rotary Club of Mercer Island and the George Pocock Rowing Foundation, along with copious Islanders, the club has paddled into existence.
“The George Pocock Rowing Foundation is excited for the Mercer Island community to have access to the sport of rowing, and the valuable life skills it can develop, especially for young people,” said Padraic McGovern, the Seattle-based organization’s deputy director. “We’re proud to support the Mercer Island Rowing Club, as they open up opportunities to experience this powerful, uniquely northwest activity.”
For starters, the Anchorage Rowing Association donated two eight boats, one four boat, a rowing shell trailer and oars to the MI club. Next up, the Seattle University women’s crew is storing that equipment for free at its boathouse. A third key element to the club’s beginnings is a semi-permanent tent structure, which was donated by the Alexander family and is stored at Lauren’s husband’s business warehouse.
“We’ve been piecing things together to show that we have our different components together and we’re really serious about this,” Alexander said.
On the critical fundraising front, the club is aiming to accumulate $200,000 for equipment, facilities and safety- and administrative-related expenses to get the club rolling and sustaining it well into the future.
Leversedge formerly rowed at the University of Victoria in Canada and then managed the Canadian Olympic team from 2000-2005.
“I think the beauty of having rowing on Mercer Island and why it’s attractive for the city is because it’s intergenerational. So you can start young. You can also row when you’re old. It could be a family event,” she said.
Woodinville native Apodaca gravitated toward rowing when she graduated from college and hopped in the boat for Mt. Baker Rowing.
“I loved it so much when I rowed for Mt. Baker in my 20s that I really want to introduce this sport to kids at a younger age. I missed out on that opportunity and I don’t want that to happen to other kids. So that’s why I’m passionate about getting started here on the Island,” she said.
Apodaca said they’ve registered as a nonprofit, they’ve got a board and they’ve garnered equipment. This is the time to make it happen, she added with a nod of the head.
Alexander noted that they’re spreading the word in the community and reaching out to schools.
Mercer Island Mayor Salim Nice is on board with what the club is offering Islanders: “The Mercer Island Rowing Club represents the best of our community — bringing people together, connecting with our natural surroundings, and offering opportunities for residents of all ages to engage in a dynamic and rewarding activity. I look forward to seeing the club flourish as a vital part of Mercer Island life.”
People who wish to donate to the club can visit: https://tinyurl.com/4n63bzu7
For more information, visit: https://www.mercerislandrowingclub.org/
