CAMDEN — Sixty plus rowers ranging in age from 14-70+ are racking up miles on their ergs (rowing machines) in a team effort to row the length of the coast of Maine this April. That’s 3,500 miles or 5,632,704 meters. The $12,000 goal of this springtime fundraiser will go towards scholarships.

“We strongly believe that everyone should have a chance to embrace this incredible sport,” said Executive Director Olivia Goodwin-Cook, in a news release. “Regardless of age, skill level or finances - everyone can have a seat in the boat. Raising $12,000 will ensure we can deliver on that promise.”

It’s a dedicated bunch, according to Megunticook Rowing; on Saturday, April 8, twelve rowers took the Polar Plunge in Barrett’s Cove to jump start Row The Coast month. The Polar Plunge effort alone raised $3,442.

Junior rowers have been training all winter at Megunticook Rowing’s Indoor Training Center at the MidCoast Recreation Center. They are now in the home stretch putting in the work five mornings a week before they get back on the water in late April. Coached by Olivia Goodwin-Cook, Meredith Currier, and Will Schaetzke, they had their first competition at the Waynflete school indoor regatta in Portland, Maine on Sunday, April 2.

How does Row The Coast work exactly? All participants will be sending in their meters weekly to Goodwin-Cook whether they are erging at the MRC or at home.

Progress can be tracked here: https://www.classy.org/campaign/row-the-coast-of-maine-2023/c479202

The event will culminate with rowers gathering on Camden’s Village Green Sunday, May 7 to erg the final meters of the coast.

“Megunticook Rowing welcomes everyone to come try out the ergs and row the coast with us,” said the release.

You can support this effort by contributing here: https://www.classy.org/campaign/row-the-coast-of-maine-2023/c479202

Megunticook Rowing is a 501c3 organization based in Camden, Maine. The mission is to strengthen minds, bodies and community through rowing. Since 2008, the program has grown from a handful of dedicated rowers with a couple of donated shells, to an organization that sends high school aged and masters rowers to in-state regattas and Boston’s Head of the Charles. Many junior rowers have gone on to compete in Division 1 programs. Just as important the Club Rowers and the Masters programs provide expert coaching to develop skills and a lifetime love of rowing. Come row with us! www.megunticookrowing.org

Megunticook Rowing thanks the following sponsors: 16 Bayview, Accent Painting, Adventure Advertising, American Flatbread, Artisan Boatworks, BayView Collection, Camden Coast Real Estate, Cascade Foundation, Jo-Ann Cook LCSW, Down East Magazine, Grand Harbor Inn, Hamilton Marine, Lord Camden Inn, Lyman-Morse,  Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors, Maine Coast Orthodontics.