The Vashon Island Rowing Club (VIRC) has offered a junior rowing program now for about 20 years. This past week they marked the dedication of an expanded row house that will increase the ability of the program to recruit more junior rowers.

King County’s Youth Sports Facilities Grant of $60,000 was matched with $65,000 in cash from VIRC members, volunteer labor, and professional donated services. The VIRC has an incredible junior rowing program, qualifying more boats for the Youth Nationals than all but two clubs in the entire US over the past five years.

A great way for kids to get collegiate scholarships, the VIRC Junior graduates have been awarded more than $1.2 million in the past six years, with over 20 rowers being favored for college entry.

One Vashon junior rower, Mia Croonquist, by the age of 19 has more World Championship Medals (3 gold and 2 silver) than any other rower in the world has ever attained by the same age. Maybe it has something to do with the boathouse being on tidelands without a dock – so every rower has to walk into the frigid waters to get into the boat. It must produce a hardy bunch!

Part of the VIRC success is its unique location. Vashon’s Quartermaster Harbor is one of the finest rowing venues anywhere: very little boat traffic, miles of generally sheltered water, and great scenery all around – the envy of every college recruiter that visits!

King County is excited partner with the VIRC to both expand and complete the Jensen Point Boathouse, and continue the stellar tradition of island rowing.