Foss Rowers was established in 2006 by a group of individuals interested in participating in and promoting the sport and activity of rowing and sculling in the
Tacoma region of the South Sound.
Several members of Foss Rowers are active participants in rowing on the Foss Waterway and the adjacent waters of
Commencement
Bay.
Others are active in rowing on
American
Lake in
Lakewood and are interested in promoting rowing as a healthy recreational activity in the region.
Under the direction of the Foss Waterway Development Authority (FWDA) the land along the Foss Waterway has been designated for various types of uses including housing, business, industry, culture and recreation.
The area at the southeast end of the waterway beyond the new
21st Street Bridge (Berg Scaffolding is currently a tenant there) has been designated for recreation with an emphasis on facilities to support non-motorized water usage such as outrigger paddling, dragon boating, kayaking, rowing and sculling.
Following purchase of the park property by the FWDA, the site's contaminated soils have been cleaned and a dock suitable for hand launching has been opened to the public. All may launch there at no charge!
Foss Rowers is an active participant in this ongoing planning process. To this end Foss Rowers adopted the following initial Statement of Purpose at its June 2006 meeting:
TO PROMOTE RECREATIONAL ROWING AND SCULLING ON THE FOSS WATERWAY AND TO SUPPORT EFFORTS TO DEVELOP FACILITIES AT THE HEAD OF THE FOSS THAT ARE SUITABLE FOR ROWING AND SCULLING
TO REPRESENT THE INTERESTS OF ROWERS AND SCULLERS TO THE FOSS WATERWAY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AND THE METROPOLITAN PARK DISTRICT OF TACOMA
The following are contact names for Foss Rowers:
For matters relating to the planning of facilities at the head of the Foss:
Todd Silver - todd2212@gmail.com
For matters relating to rowing activities in the
Tacoma region:
Steve Wells - steve@evergreenrowing.com
or call him at 360-357-6588.
For Foss Rowers membership information:
Steve Wells- steve@evergreenrowing.com
HOW TO GET INVOLVED IN ROWING
Membership in Foss Rowers is open to all interested in rowing and sculling. Membership dues are only $20 per year ($35 for family memberships). We look for members from the following: those who have never rowed before but would like to learn; those who may have rowed in college or high school and wish to resume participation in the sport; and those who currently are active rowers.
Rowing is a sport which can be continued throughout life. Many former runners with bad knees have switched to rowing because of its cardiovascular benefits and the lack of stress on key body joints. Age is no handicap. One member of the Foss Rowers took up the sport at age 67.
Finally, rowing and sculling are fun. So give us a call and join the fun.
