Santa Barbara Community Rowing: Growing the Sport in Santa Barbara County and Beyond

Santa Barbara Community Rowing is making waves in the world of rowing, with their junior racing team consistently turning in impressive performances at various competitions. Led by head coach Gracie Barbara, a former collegiate rower and experienced coach, the team is on a mission to grow the sport of rowing throughout Santa Barbara County and the Central Coast.

Most recently, the team excelled at the Southern California League Cal Cup and the Pacific Invitational Cup, with standout performances from athletes like Jacie Dingman, Hadleigh Bolton, Elsa Loya, and Diego Stephenson. Dingman and Bolton, in particular, have been dominating the U16 women’s double division, consistently finishing in first place at both competitions.

Looking ahead, the team is gearing up for the Southwest Regional Youth Championships on Lake Natoma and the USRowing Youth National Championships in Florida. With a strong foundation of talented athletes and dedicated coaching staff, Santa Barbara Community Rowing is poised for continued success in the world of rowing.

Coach Barbara is optimistic about the future of the program, expressing her desire to see it grow and develop into a powerhouse youth team. With the Central Coast’s large athletic population and ideal rowing conditions year-round, the potential for growth is immense.

For those interested in joining the Santa Barbara Community Rowing program, youth summer camps and Learn to Row programs are available for both adults and kids. Whether rowing competitively or recreationally, the sport of rowing offers valuable life skills such as discipline, leadership, and problem-solving.

To learn more about Santa Barbara Community Rowing and their programs, visit their website at https://www.rowsbc.org/. Joining the team could be the start of an incredible journey in the world of rowing for aspiring athletes in Santa Barbara County and beyond.