Bruce Smith - Growing ROWING on the Charles River

 

Image

Community Rowing has become an important component of positive social change in Boston. With 30% growth every year for the past four years, more people are healthier and connected through on-the-water activity than ever before.

Community Rowing, Inc.(CRI)  is the largest rowing outreach organization in the world, introducing more than 5,000 rowers to the sport every year. As a coach, Bruce Smith has coached crews at five world championships, and the lightweight eight that he co-coached in 2009 won a silver medal in Poland. In addition to his duties as executive director, Smith has developed numerous new rowing communities around the United States, including two new boathouses in downtown Chicago​

As the Executive Director of Community Rowing since 2008, Bruce has tripled operating income from $900,000 to more than $3 million dollars, increased participation across all programs by more than 100%, and created several innovative initiatives to transform CRI into the largest and most effective rowing club in the United States. In addition to programming increases, during the worst economic downturn in five generations, Bruce completed a capital campaign to raise $16 million for the Harry Parker Boathouse and closed the campaign in two years, a full year ahead of schedule. Bruce also founded the Institute for Rowing Leadership at Community Rowing (IRL@CRI), the country's first masters-level program designed to bring the sport of coaching to a new level of professional development. With more than 150,000 rowers in the United States, the sport needs well rounded coaches and leaders, and the IRL provides a year-long education program to develop that leadership. Bruce was named "Administrator of the Year" in 2010 by Rowing News Magazine.

Community Rowing is located in the stunning Harry Parker Boathouse on the bank of the Charles River in Boston. With beautiful balconies overlooking the water, windows that frame the setting sun and provide a stunning 150 degree view of the River, CRI’s venue is the most elegant and inviting new space in Boston. Recognized by the Boston Globe as the best new building in the city. 

www.communityrowing.org   Harry Parker Boathouse 20 Nonantum Road, Brighton, MA. 02135 617.779.8267