Long Beach State Rowing Teams Row For Dough

Photo by Stefano Balbusso

Varsity eight at Head of the American in Sacramento, Calif. last October

The Long Beach State Men’s and Women’s rowing teams (LBS Rowing) will undertake a twelve-hour “ergathon” in front of Legends Sports Bar, 5236 East Second St., on Saturday, October 18. The objective of the ergathon, which will run from 9a.m. to 9p.m., is to raise funds to assist the teams with the costs of traveling to Sacramento to compete in the season-opening Head of The American River at the end of October.

The ergathon is the LBS Rowing’s biggest fundraiser of the year. The men’s and women’s teams will take turns rowing on indoor-rowing machines, or ergometers. For every dollar donated, a rower will demonstrate his or her prowess by pulling ten powerful strokes. Every donor who provides $10 or more will receive a team tank top.

“This year we hope to beat last year’s $1,000 that was raised after rowing over 100,000 meters throughout the day,” Women’s head coach Ian Simpson said.

With over one hundred members, LBS Rowing is the largest club sport at LBSU. The team competes against NCAA Division 1 programs and other club teams at regattas in California including the San Diego Crew Classic. LBS Rowing is self-funded, relying on member dues, the Associated Students Incorporated, grants from the LBSU Foundation and other donors such as the Beach Crew Alumni Association.