The Tulsa Youth Rowing Association Returns; Zink Lake Opening Renews Interest

The new Zink Dam has made it possible for a group of local rowers to train on the Arkansas River again.

Tulsa Rowing Club and the Tulsa Youth Rowing Association (TYRA) said this week is the first time in five years its teams have been able to put its shell boats in the water.

“We had to shift out of here and row at University of Tulsa's boathouse in Catoosa,” said youth head coach Valentino Angelini. “So, being able to get back on the water is going to be really cool.”

Tulsa Youth Rowing Association recently held clinics to gain new team members.

Before the athletes ever hit the water, they must first do a 2,000-meter test on the row erg.

“Once you do a 2K, you work to get your times down and certain times get into certain boats,” said three-year TYRA member Leighton Warren.

Warren moved to Tulsa from Georgia, where she was a member of the Augusta Rowing Club. She said the sport has helped her a lot.

“You get to go as hard as you can mentally, physically, you get to learn how to take care of your body while working it, and I have learned to love what my body can do.”

During the five years, Tulsa Rowing Club and Tulsa Youth Rowing Association were not able to train in Tulsa, both groups saw a drop in the number of members.

“People who are in school, if you get out at 4 p.m. and you are over 30 minutes away, you are going to miss certain practices, and it sucks, so being here is a lot better,” Warren said.

It is proving to be better for the club's visibility, too, as the youth team is preparing to compete in a Regatta on Zink Lake during Tulsa's Big Dam Party. The action goes from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 31.

“People will actually know we exist,” Angelini continued saying, “It is a great opportunity for a lot of people to join a sport that gives them those scholarships or even just gives them that social environment they are looking for.”

To learn more about the Tulsa Rowing Club Masters program or Tulsa Youth Rowing Association, click here.