One of the nation’s top collegiate women’s rowing teams made a stop in Lake County this week while on the way to the NCAA Division I championships.
The No. 8-ranked University of Michigan Wolverines spent several days at the Clermont Boathouse, on Lake Minneola, to continue preparation in Florida weather for the championships being held this weekend in Sarasota.
“The facilities and hospitality available to us at the Clermont Boat House are top-notch,” assistant coach Dan Harrison said. “Our student-athletes are able to use the time we have here to focus on their preparation for the NCAA Championships, and our team really appreciated the opportunity to train on Lake Minneola. Thank you to all the staff and community members who helped us enjoy our time in Clermont.”
Lake County Commissioner Doug Shields, who is also the Tourism and Development Council chairman, said it was an honor to host a team of this caliber.
“Having rowed for a Big Ten Conference school myself, I could not be more excited to have a power program like Michigan using our amazing Lake County facilities,” Shields said. “I wish them luck as they continue their journey to Sarasota for the National Championships.”
Home to local rowing club, the Lake County Rowing Association (LCRA), the Clermont Boathouse was designed by competitive rowers to be a premier location for the sport. The lake features a 2,000-meter Olympic-style buoyed racecourse that allows for eight rowing lanes and a first-class floating dock for launching. The University of Michigan joins Hobart and Williams College and Nereid Boat Club as teams taking advantage of the LCRA facilities this year.
“It was a real pleasure to host the University of Michigan Women’s Rowing team as they pursue a national championship, as team training is part of the LCRA vision in addition to striving to be Central Florida’s Home for Competitive Youth and Adult Rowing,” association president Mark Vantrease said. “We are proud to partner with the City of Clermont and Lake County as we continue to provide team training opportunities to universities, colleges, high schools and clubs from around the country.”
Lake County is home to more than a thousand lakes and waterways with walkable downtowns and trails among many of them. The Clermont Boathouse sits along the Southlake Trail with a direct path to downtown Clermont, where visitors can explore an array of local restaurants and shops. Lake Minneola also has a separate 1,000-meter eight-lane canoe and kayak course.
“Lake County and the City of Clermont continue to be a premier destination for the sport of rowing throughout the country,” said Ryan Ritchie, director of Visit Lake. “Strong community partnerships with organizations like the Lake County Rowing Association allows us to participate with these types of engagements. We’re excited the University of Michigan, a top program in the country, decided to train for the NCAA Championships in Lake County. We wish them all the best this weekend and look forward to hosting them and other programs in the future!”
