Dallas United Crew announced today that March 6, 2016, marks the beginning of the organization’s 14th Regatta Season. The first spring regatta will be held in Austin, Texas and Dallas United Crew will be fielding 24 boats in the Heart of Texas Regatta. Dallas United Crew (DUC) is a 501(c) 3 non-profit rowing organization based on White Rock Lake for people of all ages and abilities. Currently, DUC has approximately 700 rowers annually from across the Dallas Metroplex participate in six rowing programs ranging from youth and adult rowing programs, competitive teams, adaptive rowing and youth outreach programs along with kayaking and dragon boating programs. DUC is the first rowing organization in Dallas to have a dragon boat team for breast cancer survivors and a program for disabled veterans.
“We are pleased to share White Rock Lake with the many other organizations and individuals who also call the lake home,” said John Gartin, Dallas United program director. “We are proud of the success we have had as an organization, which started as a single program for high school rowers, and now has blossomed into a diverse rowing community that provides extraordinary access to all those who are interested in recreational or competitive rowing.”
DUC began in 2002 as a team of four Highland Park High School student rowers but grew quickly to 39 participants by the end of its first year, including students from Woodrow Wilson High School in East Dallas. Bishop Lynch High School students joined DUC as a competitive team in 2006. Today, DUC rowing and dragon boating participants represent a diverse cross-section of the Metroplex with the majority of participants coming from Dallas including a strong contingent from neighborhoods in East Dallas, North Dallas and Fair Park/South Dallas. Additionally, more than 30 schools across Dallas and 12 within DISD school system have students who participate in the various DUC programs.
“Our priorities for 2016 include broadening the number of community programs we offer, increasing our youth rowers financial assistance program and developing a revised long-range plan for the organization that includes securing a long-term, city-owned solution that will be privately funded to house our equipment on White Rock Lake” added Gartin.
“We are overwhelmed by the support we have received from our participants, volunteers, coaches and the community at large as we plan for the future of our organization. Rowing is gaining popularity in Dallas, and we are honored to be an integral part of providing Dallas citizens access to this amazing sport, which can be enjoyed for a lifetime. We look forward to continuing to offer programs to individuals who may not have had exposure to the sport.”
“Additionally, we are very proud of our financial assistance and adaptive rowing programs. To date, we have been able to provide a substantial amount of financial assistance to rowers who demonstrate a need, so they will have an opportunity to participate in our rowing programs. We also are rapidly expanding our adaptive rowing program. Our goal is that no rower is ever turned away for physical or financial needs.”
Note: Dallas United rows on White Rock Lake Monday – Friday 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm, Saturday 9:30 am – noon.
For complete information on getting out on the water with DUC, visit www.dallasunitedcrew.org.