Our History
NPBRC began on the eve of the 2006 Boat Parade when a small group of former rowers gathered to watch the event from the grandstands at the Palm Beach Marine Institute. As night fell and yacht after decorated yacht passed in celebration up the Intracoastal, we knew that something was missing.
It was clear to us that the Intracoastal Waterway was the perfect venue for area kids and adults from all backgrounds to enjoy the sport, and so the idea for NPBRC was born. We believe that any high school kid or adult without a motorboat should still have the opportunity to get on the water and enjoy a safe, healthy team activity while developing a lifelong respect for our environment. Likewise, we know from experience that rowing can draw a community together in a spirit of athleticism, teamwork, and mutual appreciation of our area's rich natural resources. NPBRC officially incorporated in January 2007 and we have been hard at work laying the foundation for what is sure to become one of Palm Beach Gardens' signature organizations.
Through a generous partnership with the Palm Beach Marine Institute, a fellow 501(c)3 organization, NPBRC found a home on the Intracoastal Waterway at PMBI’s facility in Bert Winters Park off of Ellison Wilson Road. Our current site may be humble but we hope to grow and have begun acquiring the equipment and materials we need to build the future of our community rowing program. The donation by Miami Rowing Club of an old eight and oars allowed us to take our maiden voyage down the ICW in mid-March, 2007. Now our members are busy improving our site and acquiring our other equipment while seeking out once and future rowers to join our growing team.
Our Vision
NPBRC is poised to become a community rowing program like no other. South Florida is already the favorite winter training grounds of many elite and collegiate rowing programs. We foresee a time when the North Palm Beach area will host a first-class regatta of its own and field High School ("Youth") and Adult ("Masters") teams on par with the best in the country. We would like to work with our fellow rowers in other programs throughout Palm Beach County to make this vision a reality. Our long-term goal is to build a new, LEED certified boathouse facility in the area that will become South Florida's best new venue to learn, train, and compete in the sport of rowing.
We need public support in order to reach our goals and acquire the equipment we desperately need. A financial donation to our club will help us secure the future of rowing in Northern Palm Beach County.
As a not-for-profit organization, your contribution may be tax-deductible.
A little wishful thinking about a future boathouse...
A rower passes Boston's Cambridge Boathouse during
an early morning workout on the Charles River.
Philadelphia's "Boathouse Row" is one of the country's oldest and most famous rowing communities.