Editors Note: We thought we’d share Mike’s observations of his late April visit to the Florida State High School Rowing Championships.
Blazing sun and blazing fast crews by Mike Vespoli
I recently returned from the Florida State High School Rowing Championships, slightly sun burned and totally impressed.
The caliber of rowing is excellent and the pool of talent is deep. In the last twenty years the number of high school programs in the state as grown from 5 to 40. This growth is now matched by the significant improvement in the speed and competitiveness of the crews. These kids can really move boats! I saw tight, exciting racing from the crews and witnessed scullers displaying exceptional watermanship handling difficult, but fair, side-wind conditions.
The Sarasota, Florida venue is fantastic. Benderson Lake is a man-made ditch soon to be expanded from 1850 meters to 2200 with the intention of creating a class A, FISA course. I believe the Sarasota County Commissioners and the Benderson Development Corporation have the means, connections and desire to make this course into something special. These folks pulled out all the stops for this well organized event including a buoyed course, closed-circuit TV and even air conditioned, portable toilets!
The increase in participants, the improvement in rowing quality and the potential of the new rowing course are the result of years of visionary leadership by the FSRA. The FSRA is a well organized and forward thinking group under the capable leadership of President Dan Newman, head coach of Capital City, and his officers. I got the real sense that this entire organization is focused on the best interests of all the rowers and I find that refreshing and exciting.
Well done Florida!
Exceptional rowers and their boats aren’t bad either!
Perhaps you think of Vespoli boats as only a “big boat” builder. That’s not surprising because almost 75% of the winners at the FSRA’s won in our eights and fours. However, our Matrix line of small boats deserves a special look. Vespoli singles, doubles and quads are every bit as fast as imported boats costing thousands more. The FSRA results prove it! Katie Burke, an exceptional young sculler, won the state championships for a second consecutive year by a wide margin in her Vespoli Matrix 26 single. Also, two more fine scullers, Kiersten Dehaven and Hillary Schmidt won the girl’s double scull title in a Vespoli Matrix 29. Katie, Kiersten and Hillary are from Tampa and are ably coached by Call Collins who has developed a stable of fast scullers. Well done ladies!
If you are in the market for championship quality small boats give Jeff Border [link http://www.vespoli.com/findarep] a call to arrange a demo so you may see for yourself the quality, speed and value our American made boats offer!
Get your kids into college:
Did you know that Vespoli offers a free high school recruiting site? Get your rowers to sign up (link) and have their profile viewed by hundreds of college coaches. It’s free.
Great deals on Demo and Pre-Owned shells.
Check out our wide selection of Demo and Pre-Owned Vespoli boats [link http://www.vespoli.com/boatsfordemo] . Singles to eights are available for purchase or lease at great prices. Creative, affordable financing is available. All Vespoli Demo or Pre-Owned shells come with a warranty.
Oldies but Goodies!
The Miami Rowing Club won gold, silver and bronze in 3 ten year old Vespoli boats! They even made the finals in a 19 year old one! These boats were meticulously refinished by Paul Mellinger an MRC member who did a fantastic job. After many years of use and abuse these boats were still structurally sound, light and stiff. Paul’s work was mainly cosmetic and installing new parts. Congrat’s MRC and Paul!!!
Plastic Surgery.
If you don’t have Paul’s talent, we can do it for you. We offer complete, professional and affordable refurbishment services. Our trailers are going to be at Dad Vail, Southeast Regional’s, Scholastic Nationals and many other venues. The craftsmen who built your boat will repair and refurbish to “like new” condition or anywhere in between and all of the work is warranted! Contact us customerservice@vespoli.com for a quote or to arrange pick up/drop off.
Assurance, 30 years worth.
During these challenging economic times you can be confident when you buy a Vespoli boat that we have the staying power and we will be in business to honor your warranty and service your boat.
Vespoli’s Southeast Regional Commitment
We want to assist you in this growing region. We have an outstanding company representative, Jeff Border jborder@vespoli.com living right here in Florida. Jeff has an extensive rowing and coaching background who shares your commitment and passion for the sport. He is on hand throughout the region visiting boathouses and providing support at regattas.
