Increasing Popularity And Access

There is a sizable rowing community in the US. Ports such as Boston, New York, and Philadelphia required the building of many small rowing boats, and competition was inevitable. The first American race took place on the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia in 1762 between 6-oared barges.
As the sport gained popularity, clubs were formed and rowers began racing for prizes. Professionals were rowing against clubs and each other before the civil war.

USRowing is the national rowing organization. The rowing community would like to increase access to the sport and increase the diversity of rowing. USRowing has a task force on rowing for at-risk youth. CTC's Executive Director, Montana Butsch, is a member of the USRowing task force on Access, Affordability and Diversity, which is focused on developing rowing opportunities for at-risk youth.

There are over 60 collegiate programs that offer scholarships and many more schools that recruit based on rowing ability (Ivy League included.)