It’s official: The Mercer Island Rowing Club will launch its Learn to Row program this summer.

In January, the club — which was founded in 2024 — signed a final contract with the city of Mercer Island to row out of the swimming beach on the south end of Luther Burbank Park and offer summer camp sessions.

According to a previous Reporter story, a pilot program is first on the club’s docket and it plans to grow from there with youth and adult recreational/competitive programs. 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.”

“Our community’s support has been essential in bringing this program to life, and it marks the beginning of a new chapter for rowing on Mercer Island. Together, we’re building the foundation for a thriving, multi-generational rowing community,” said club president and founder Lauren Alexander.

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.

City of Mercer Island Recreation Manager Ryan Daly discussed the benefits of the upcoming rowing programs: “The community’s desire for more aquatic based programs is highlighted in the 2022 Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan. This summer’s pilot program, in partnership with the Mercer Island Rowing Club, presents a unique opportunity to test new aquatic based recreation programs to further meet the needs of Islanders.”

Islanders have stepped forward big time in the fundraising realm, which included placing $60,000 in the club’s coffers — putting it past the halfway mark of its $250,000 fundraising goal — at its Row for MI inaugural fundraiser on Oct. 5, 2025, at the Mercer Island Beach Club. Funds will go toward equipment, facilities and safety- and administrative-related expenses to get the club rolling and sustaining it well into the future.

Furthering its fundraising for the club, it will present a Row for MI: Ergathon at 1 p.m. on March 1 at Orangetheory Fitness, 2601 76th Ave. SE on Mercer Island. During the community event, participants will compete in teams to go the 20-kilometer distance around Mercer Island on a rowing machine to raise $20,000 for the club. To register, visit: https://tinyurl.com/ukshyvk.

When the Learn to Row program gets underway this summer, participants will learn proper rowing technique and form, boat handling and water safety, equipment basics and terminology and teamwork and communication on the water.

The club has put out a call that it’s looking to hire a head Learn to Row coach for this summer who will be responsible for the direction, instruction and safety supervision of the athletes, according to the club.

Club membership is currently open and people can locate all the pertinent information on how to become involved — plus summer program registration information — at https://www.mercerislandrowingclub.org/.