White Rock Lake set to host Texas State Rowing Championships this weekend

DALLAS — One thing’s within the water at White Rock Lake.

No less than, this weekend, one thing will likely be within the water.

“Yeah, there’s actually high-quality rowing in the course of the nation,” stated White Rock Rowing coach Chris Leonard.

Saturday and Sunday, rowers from throughout Texas will come to Dallas for the Texas State Rowing Championships.

It’s the primary time the occasion has ever been held outdoors of Austin.

“Having an occasion that’s a state championship right here, I believe actually brings consideration to, ‘Hey, rowing in Texas is changing into an actual factor,’” Leonard stated.

Rowing has at all times been seen as an east coast factor. That’s the place Leonard and his spouse, Annie Couwenhoven, additionally one of many staff’s coaches, grew up.

They’ve each been rowing for years, however even they’d no concept how good it may very well be at White Rock Lake till they got here for his or her interview.

“We walked in and have been like, ‘OK, that is fairly cool,’” Leonard stated. 

“We’re making an attempt to get it an increasing number of launched right here, to the place White Rock is the place everybody needs to go and our boathouse is the powerhouse of the nation,” Couwenhoven stated. 

White Rock Lake might not have a popularity for rowing, however Leonard and Couwenhoven stated it ought to.

The lake can accommodate a much bigger course, it’s nice for spectators and the boat home is among the finest within the America.

“In 20 years of rowing, I’ve by no means seen a ship home this huge,” stated Couwenhoven.

If this weekend’s state championships go effectively, Couwenhoven and Leonard assume issues will solely get greater.

“Why can’t we host a nationwide championship down right here?,” Leonard requested. “I believe this offers us a possibility to indicate everyone we will do this.”

For lots of people, White Rock Lake is a good place to go and for others, a fair higher place to row.

For extra data on White Rock Rowing and the state championships, go to https://www.whiterockrowing.org/.