BELFAST — Nicolle Littrell, of DoryWoman Rowing, is the recipient of a $10,000 grant from Women’s Net, a national organization that provides funding for female business owners and entrepreneurs. Littrell’s proposal won the monthly Business Category grant in Health & Fitness for February.  

Since 2021, Littrell, who is a licensed Maine Guide, has been offering rowing lessons, nature and wildlife tours, workout rows and monthly full moon rows in her traditional-style wooden dory in Belfast Bay, year-round, through DoryWoman Rowing.

She will be utilizing the grant for a mobile wood-fired sauna, to extend her services in the colder months in Belfast. The sauna will be available to clients who row with her and also the general public, as a community sauna and for private group rentals.

Littrell’s grant proposal was inspired by her recent collaboration, the Ice Row + Sauna + Dip with Selkie Sauna of MDI and Belfast City Parks and Recreation. This adventure-wellness experience was offered during the Belfast Ice Fest weekend.

“I’m over the moon with this news," said Littrell, in a news release. "I had applied to Women’s Net for a grant two times previously and didn’t get it. It feels like a miracle to have won it this time, especially with how competitive this grant is and that there are very few resources like this available for female business owners. I’m excited to bring a sauna to Belfast! It will be a fun way to experience our beautiful waterfront in the colder months.”

With winning the monthly grant, Littrell is now eligible to win a year-end grant with Women’s Net for $25,000. Votes from the public are a component of the judges’ decision-making process. To learn more visit: https://ambergrantsforwomen.com/february-2025-health-fitness-grant-awarded-to-dorywoman-rowing/

Visit dorywomanrowing.com to learn more about Littrell’s rowing services.