#ErgforEquality

Riverside Boat Club Men’s Sweep Team (Stripes) and Potomac Boat Club Men’s Sweep Team (Stars) are usually rivals on the river. They have been asking themselves what we, as a rowing community, can do to make a difference in the fight against racism and injustice. These teams are banding together, in partnership with DeMatha Catholic High School Crew Team, to raise money for groups that are actively fighting for equality, justice, and systemic reform in honor of George Floyd. But it's not just for Floyd, it's also for Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless members of the Black community who continue to be victims of police brutality.

It's important to consider how these issues affect the rowing community. The goal of this challenge is to fight for equality within the rowing community and financially support organizations that promote inclusion in rowing or others that support the fight for racial justice.

Challenge: Row a 8:46 piece and submit your erg screenshot by Friday, June 19 at 11:59pm.

Submit your erg screen HERE. 

Who can participate: Anyone with an erg! Sign up in the Google sheet HERE. 

How to participate: While buy-in for this challenge isn’t required, these organizations highly encourage you to donate at least $15 to a group of your choice.

There will be an overall individual winner and the fastest ‘eight’ winners in however many categories they can create.

To maximize impact, consider making a donation to these groups who need your support. Potomac, Riverside, and DeMatha have highlighted the groups below as their top picks that promote inclusion in rowing:

Riverside's Pick: Let's Row Boston
https://www.communityrowing.org/inclusion/let-s-row-boston

Let's Row Boston promotes inclusion in rowing by bring various competitive programs to Boston Public School students

Potomac's Picks: DC Strokes and Serve Your City
https://www.dcstrokes.org/

DC Strokes Rowing Club (DCSRC) is the oldest LGBTQ+ rowing club in the world. Committed to building an inclusive environment, fostering personal growth, and promoting a spirit of sportsmanship, DCSRC programs offer opportunities for all rowers, regardless of experience level.

https://www.serveyourcitydc.org/

Serve Your City is a program designed to introduce rowing to at-risk DC students.

Other groups that need our support:
DeMatha's Pick: Campaign Zero - https://www.joincampaignzero.org/
Riverside's Pick: Massachusetts Bail Fund - https://www.massbailfund.org/
Potomac's Pick: NAACP Legal Defense Fund - https://www.naacpldf.org/

Let's get to work, use our voices for good, and unite the rowing community!