“I want to have the problem of bursting at the seams,” said Lake Oswego Community Rowing Director Susan Wood, and, after last Saturday’s successful Learn to Row Day, it’s a problem that’s quickly becoming a reality.

Wood and her coaching staff, supported by current members and alumni of LOCR's youth team, hosted 107 newcomers to the sport Saturday morning and afternoon. About 120 participants signed up to learn, but with only so many boats available, the club was in the fortunate position of having to potentially plan another day for everyone to get out on the water.

Wood’s reaction to the overflow of people at the small blue boathouse, located off Oswego Point Drive, expressed her gratitude and excitement for the future.

“I was super excited to see a full boathouse. I was particularly touch by just how fun it was to offer the opportunity to row for people in the community who have always wanted to try it," she said. "It was nice to be in the position for a day to say, ‘Hey, come down and try it.’”

The elation felt by Wood that day was infectious, stretching from returning rowers who volunteered at the event to newcomers of all ages.

Lake Oswego Community Rowing (LOCR) alumni Sierra Sweigert was among the multitude of volunteers who made the day happen, rowing alongside newcomers to balance the boat and lend a guiding hand.

“It was really fun to get back in the boat and use my rowing chops again," she said. "It’s fun to see everyone figure it out — (at) first it’s scary, then they get it.”

Sweigert’s fun-filled assessment of the day accurately reflected siblings Dylan and Kelsey Mackenzie’s first time on the water. Older brother Dylan, 19, noted that “Power 10’s were a lot of fun, it’s surprising how fast you can go out there.”

His need for speed was echoed by his younger sister, a current student at Lakeridge High School. Kelsey, 16, said her favorite part of the day was “finally getting it so it worked. It was a lot harder than I thought it would be.”

Both siblings walked away from the day with an interest in rowing in the future, exactly the outcome Wood was hoping for. With 12 high schoolers and 16 adults signed up for beginning classes after Saturday’s introductory row, Learn to Row was a success for growing both the club’s youth and masters team.

Going into the day, Wood was especially focused on making rowing accessible for adults. She explained this desire partially through the organization’s name: Lake Oswego Community Rowing.

“We’re twofold: we’re also community rowing, so we want to offer this to adults as a way of life and encourage them to go into the racing as well,” she said.

Carl Grossman, first-time adult rower and parent of a recently graduated youth team member, stepped off the water with a new perspective on the sport he had participated in as a spectator for many years.

“It was challenging, fun, and I learned a healthy respect for those who row,” he said.

With such a positive reaction garnered from participants at last weekend’s event, LOCR is set to finish out the summer and enter into fall racing season strong. With another event for those who didn’t make it out last Saturday in the works, the club is busy with its Captains' Car Wash, to be held this Saturday, July 21. The wash will be held in the Wizer’s parking lot, located at 330 First St. in Lake Oswego, from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. The club is raising funds with the goal of purchasing four new sets of sculling oars.

LOCR is also looking forward to its first annual Oswego Lake Regatta, sponsored by the Lake Oswego Corporation. The regatta will be held on July 28 from 9 a.m. to noon on Lake Oswego.

Looking forward to the club’s future event, Wood said, “I was absolutely amazed at the response we got from the community. It was double what I anticipated, and I tend to dream big. I hope that people realize that they can learn to row. I really want to encourage people to join our club.”

For further information on learn to row classes, summer camps and more for both adults and teens, lakeoswegorowing.com.