Looking for interest: Winter Rowing Event, Florida Keys

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I am looking to organize a rowing event (race & cruise) next winter in the Florida Keys. Winter time down here has perfect weather, and the Keys offer some of the nicest water to row and explore. If there are any openwater rowers who would be interested in participating, please respond so that I can gain a general interest. Please also respond with your ideal date, kind of boat and where you are from. Thanks in advance. Cork Friedman, Miami FL

-- Cork Friedman (captncork@aol.com), March 15, 2000

Answers

I'd certainly be interested, and the dates don't matter much at this point except for the December holidays. As for boats, we either bring our own, I suppose, or maybe rent if there's a fleet anywhere in Florida. You might talk to RUM International in Longboat Key (941-387-7773) who sell the Virus boats or Little River Marine (352-378-5025) who build their own line of boats, about the availability of a fleet in return for promotion.

If you get a date fixed, or semi-fixed, I'd be glad to add it to our Open-Water Rowing events calendar. We can put 2001 events up even now, and if you are recruiting from up north - makes sense - we could list the trip on the New England, Northwest, etc. pages.

-- David Stookey (dstookey@openwater.com), March 15, 2000.


Dear Cork and David,

It seems to me that the Traditional Small Craft Association (TSCA) regularly hosts some sort of winter gathering in the Keys. There's usually a mix of small craft types but a bunch more rowing craft would only add to the fun. Try Myron Young at 516-298-4512(NY)

Yours, Andre

-- Andre de Bardelaben (www.middlepath@aol.com), March 15, 2000.


Cork,

There is a Key West Rowing Club. I wish I had more info for you. I met the fellow who is the organizer at his place of business(wood boat repairs/cabinetry) on the pier adjacent to the old turtle pens and next door to where one of the day-sailing schooners berths. I saw a reference to the KWRC on one of these extensive nautical links lists but I didn't save it. The group was intriguing to me but definitely smacked of the 'Conch Republic' mentality. They(he) do have water access though and might be willing to help with organization(?) or logistics. If I can find more info I'll post it here or email you. Sounds like fun !

-- Rob Dunlap (dunlapr@mrd.dnr.state.sc.us), March 16, 2000.


Thank's for your responses. I received several Emails from readers of the OWR forum, and they were all very positive toward being a part of a winter rowing event in the Florida Keys. I sent out a general interest for sponsorship and immediately received 2 confimations by Keys business owners. So, all that being said, I'm going to procede with organizing the first annual "Keys Row". Tentative date will be the third week of February. All suggestions/recommendations from experienced rowing event organizers would be greatly appreciated. Thanks agai

-- Cork Friedman (captncork@aol.com), March 20, 2000.

I am completing the building of Penobscot 14 wooden boat.I plan to use it as a rowing and sailing craft.Your query regarding an event in the Keys is very interesting.I am expressing to you my interest in such an event.I live in Coral Springs ,Fl.

-- edward mordis (bamjosidro@aol.com), May 14, 2000.


A date has been chosen for the 1st annual Keys Row. February 16-18, 2001 in Key West Florida. A website for the event: keysrow.com will be up by July. It will have full information including accomodations, boat rentals, activities, transportation, schedule and registration information. This will be a cruising event for rowers of all levels.

-- Cork Friedman (captncork@aol.com), May 15, 2000.

Cork, are you still planning the Key West cruise? I've just found this list but I'd be very interested.

Just an observation that may affect attendance, the third weekend of February is the same weekend as the Miami boatshow. We'll be exhibiting a 42' sailing cat, the "Bare Naked 42", but if it's any weekend after that I'm yours.

Just moved here from California with my 14 whitehall. Looking for a double that will mostly be used as a single, something like the Little River Seashell. Any thoughts? We live on the Indian Rivber here in the Stuart area - just north of the county with the funny ballots.

PS - Are you still looking for sponsors?

Bruce Osborn

-- bruce osborn (bruce@osborn.gov), December 03, 2000.


Cork, John Duke here ,we had the Key West MAritime Historical Society Rowing Program 1985-92 I built the Wilhelmina at the community college and we rowed at the 1986 Statue of Liberty event in New York City. We had two great teams from Key West a boys highschool team and a womans team. The vessel "Wilhelmina" a 32 ft long boat is now in Miami but I do have a the sister boat "Aida" out here at Oceanside Marina. We are presently trying to get interest in rowing on Wednesdays and Sundays one hour befor sunset. The best ,and I do hope to get into the event on the 17 th of Feb, Capt J

-- John Duke (saildreamcatcher@mindspring.com), February 07, 2001.

Cork, John Duke here ,we had the Key West MAritime Historical Society Rowing Program 1985-92 I built the Wilhelmina at the community college and we rowed at the 1986 Statue of Liberty event in New York City. We had two great teams from Key West a boys highschool team and a womans team. The vessel "Wilhelmina" a 32 ft long boat is now in Miami but I do have a the sister boat "Aida" out here at Oceanside Marina. We are presently trying to get interest in rowing on Wednesdays and Sundays one hour befor sunset. The best ,and I do hope to get into the event on the 17 th of Feb, Capt John Duke http://www.keywest.com/drea

-- John Duke (saildreamcatcher@mindspring.com), February 07, 2001.

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