Pulling Together
In rowing, the boat moves fastest when everyone pulls together: The blades enter into the water in unison, propelling the boat towards the finish line. The boat responds best when athletes all “pull their weight” both figuratively and literally.
Concept2’s Pulling Together program was established in 2020 to support programs that are increasing opportunities in rowing, Nordic skiing, and biking, and encouraging new and diverse athletes to join these sports. The Pulling Together program supports organizations through donations of Concept2 equipment, allowing them to provide opportunities for fitness and health in their communities and beyond.
Since 2020, Concept2 has supported over 50 new and growing clubs that are pulling together to make a difference in their local communities. These teams, clubs and programs are encouraging new and diverse athletes by increasing opportunities in rowing, Skiing and biking. “Pulling Together” funding provides equipment to improve accessibility.
In addition to working with schools and local boathouses, Concept2 coordinates with national organizations such as USRowing and the Pocock Foundations’ ErgEd, which introduces rowing to middle school students, and STEM to Stern, the largest rowing program in the country focused on diversity, inclusion and competition. In partnership with the Pocock Foundation and HUDSON, Concept2 sponsors the A Most Beautiful Thing Inclusion Fund.
The ways in which rowing programs address inequality are as diverse as the boathouses they come from. Some programs, such as Wattupa Rowing Center in Fall River, Massachusetts, are newer programs well-situated to invite local low-income and urban students into the boat. Others, like Chicago Training Center, are long-established clubs expanding their offerings. If Pulling Together seems like a good fit for your program or you know of another program that might benefit from the Pulling Together program, please fill out our application or email [email protected]. Requests are reviewed monthly.
