At 5:30 on a clear summer morning, as the sun makes its way up, high schoolers are working together to get row boats into the Buffalo River.
Some have more experience than others, but they all make up the Buffalo Scholastic Rowing Association.
The non-profit located in Buffalo's Old First Ward has been teaching people of all skill levels and ages how to row for the past 10 years.
"There used to be quite a few rowing programs on the Buffalo River, I don't know, 70, 80, 100 years ago and we just thought why not have more rowing in Buffalo with our amazing water way," said Hilary Epes-Oballim, the association’s executive director.
This summer, anyone can take up the sport through the learn-to-row youth and adult programs.
The youth summer camps start July 8 and run from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., Monday through Friday.
"We'll get the kids out on the water, they'll take a break for lunch then we'll do it all over again," said Mairead Manke, the association’s director of marketing.
The adult program starts in August, and both groups learn the basics of rowing on land before hitting the water.
But in addition to learning the physical side of the sport, they'll end up leaving with much more.
"The mental side is just getting through that, this is a repetitive sport so keeping your mind connected to your body, the team building aspect, team work, learning how to work with other kids, other adults, communication skills are important, leadership skills just the dedication the time commitment that rowers need to show to improve their skill and to succeed that can be taken forth into college and their careers," Epes-Oballim said.
Interested? Registration is available online or in person at the boat house on Ohio Street.
By the end of the summer, rowers and the boats will have a brand new place to be when they're not in the water.
The state-of-the-art BSRA Boat House has been in works since the start, but they're excited to join in on the surrounding rebirth of the neighborhood.
"With the other building going around, it's really quite the hot spot for Buffalo right now and we feel really lucky to be here," Epes-Oballim said.
The official soft opening of the boat house will be September 21.
