The best rowers from the Northwest will be returning to Vancouver Lake this week for the U.S. Rowing Northwest Youth Championships. Here is a picture from last year’s event. Photo by Mike Schultz

The best clubs from Washington, Oregon, and Idaho expected to compete

Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com

Vancouver Lake is the place to be in order to find champions later this week.

The U.S. Rowing Northwest Youth Championships are returning to Clark County.

“I expect it to be a fun family-friendly environment, where our local athletes are racing for Northwest championships, to see who is the best in our region,” said Conor Bullis, president of the Portland Vancouver Rowing Association, which runs the course on Vancouver Lake.

“We’re going to see some really competitive boats from our team qualify for the youth national championships in Sarasota, Florida,” Bullis added.

“Our” team is significant for Bullis, because last year he was the head coach for “our” team, the Vancouver Lake Rowing Club. So he really does have a local connection to the athletes. He will be pulling for them, but he and the rowing association will be getting the course ready for more than 1,000 athletes representing clubs from Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.

A year ago, there were roughly 1,300 competitors on the lake for this event, and Bullis said there are more entrants this year. Add family members and other fans, and there will be more than 2,000 people visiting the lake this weekend.

The competition, which features dozens of races each day, is scheduled for Friday through Sunday, May 17-19.

“I felt last year was a big success,” Bullis said. “We had great water and great conditions. That makes things better to have a great time.”

Vancouver Lake will be full of competitors and fans Friday through Sunday for the U.S. Rowing Northwest Youth Championships. Photo by Mike Schultz

The weather forecast, as of Monday, May 13, calls for highs in the high 60s to low 70s for May 17-19, with only a slight chance of rain.

Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle and Clark County Council Chair Gary Medvigy are expected to attend, as well as other local officials to celebrate the event.

Having this event in Vancouver is big for the region, and not just for rowers, Bullis said.

“It’s special. I’m invested in this course. I’m invested in growing the sport of rowing in Vancouver, and creating a championship venue where we can bring rowing, canoes, kayaks, and dragon boats, and bring more events to Vancouver,” Bullis said. “We’re making really good progress. The tide is rising on all fronts.”

Athletes winning championships in Vancouver is special.

Local businesses win, too.

“We’re going to get more people to visit Vancouver,” Bullis said. “Everybody likes people going to restaurants and staying in hotels. It’s a big one for us.”