KINGSTON, R.I. -- June 6, 2002 -- Members of the University of Rhode Island’s top-ranked women’s varsity rowing team are so enthusiastic about their sport, they're hoping to encourage many– young and old – to take to the water.

The team will hold a FREE Learn to Row Day on Sunday, June 9, 2002, at the URI Campanella Rowing Center on Walmsley Lane off of Route 1 in North Kingstown.

There will be three – two-hour sessions at 11 a.m.; 1 and 3 p.m. to teach the basics of rowing, including boat handling, docking, fundamentals of rowing and indoor erging. The sessions are free and open to the public. Suggested ages are 12 and up.

Participants will get hands-on with the equipment and go for a short row.

"The boathouse doesn’t get used a lot in the summer and there hasn't really been a good place for many people to learn this great sport. We're trying to get the word out to see if there’s interest for families, high school students and more," said former U.S. Olympian and the team’s head coach, Julia Chilicki-Beasley. "This is a great spot to row, especially before it’s taken over by jet skis."

The Sunday lessons will be conducted by 15 members of the URI women's rowing team that recently won their first-varsity silver medal at the prestigious Dad Vail Regatta, and the URI coaches. This spring the URI rowers finished second over-all at the 7th annual Atlantic 10 Conference championships, the highest finish in team history.

Sign up for sessions by calling Julia at 874-7895 or e-mail her at rhodyrowing@uri.edu.

Directions to the URI Campanella Rowing Center

From the North: Take Interstate 95 South to Exit 9 (Route 4 South). Follow Route 4 until it merges and becomes Route 1 South. Continue on Route 1 South to the Route 138 intersection (Mobil station on right). Make a u-turn on to Route 1 North and follow for 7/10ths of a mile. Turn right on to Walmsley Lane. Travel downhill, bear left for boathouse entrance.

From the South: Take Interstate 95 North to Exit 3A (Route 138 East). Follow for 14 miles. Make a left on to Route 1 North. Follow for 7/10ths of a mile. Turn right on to Walmsley Lane. Travel downhill, bear left for boathouse entrance.
For Information: Julia Chilicki, 874-7895, Jhodi Redlich, 874-4500