On Saturday, September 20th, from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m., the boys and girls of New Canaan Crew will take to the rowing machines for their annual Ergathon. The athletes will be logging thousands of meters in an all-out effort not only to showcase their dedication but also to raise the funds needed to keep their nationally recognized program competitive.
Unlike many school teams, New Canaan Crew (NCC), in partnership with Maritime Rowing Club (MRC), is entirely self-funded. The Ergathon serves as the team’s most important fundraiser of the year, ensuring rowers have access to the equipment required for high-level training and racing. That equipment comes at a steep price: a four-person racing shell can cost as much as $35,000, and even a single Concept 2 rowing erg runs $1,000.
“Every dollar makes a real difference,” said Roman Vengerovskiy, Maritime’s Director of Operations. “The better our athletes’ tools, the better prepared they are to perform on the regional, national, and even international stage.”
And perform they have. Since its founding in 1996, Maritime Rowing has captured 22 national championships in just 29 years, most recently with this year’s Women’s Youth U16 Coxed Quad team taking gold at the Youth National Championships in Sarasota. The program’s excellence has not only earned national titles but also developed multiple Olympians and sent dozens of athletes on to compete at the collegiate level across the country.
What began in 1997 with just 13 rowers from New Canaan High School has grown into a program with more than 100 athletes per season. NCC/MRC crews regularly medal at regattas nationwide, and alumni compete at the highest levels, including the U.S. Junior National Team, World Championships and Olympic Games.
Community members are invited to stop by, cheer on the athletes, and support their efforts. Donations of any size are welcome, tax-deductible, and may also be matched through corporate giving programs.
“We row for each other, for our team, and for the town,” said Vengerovskiy. “This event is a chance for the community to row with us.”
To contribute or learn more, visit New Canaan Crew’s fundraising page through GoFundMe/PayPal.
