THE STARTING LINE NATHAN BENDERSON PARK SPRING 2017 IN THIS EDITION • Finish Tower • Events & Team Training • Park Improvements • Volunteer of the Month • WRCH News • Programming Week 10: August 7-August 11 Nathan Benderson P ark Finish Tower 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle | Sarasota, FL 34235 www.NathanBendersonPark.org | 941-358-7275 #myNBP NathanBendersonPark @myNBP EVENTS & TRAINING April 1 February 6-April 23 FSRA West District Championships Canoe/Kayak Canada April 8-9 March 6-April 8 FSRA Sculling Championships April 15 Craftsbury Green Racing Project My Hometown Fest April 3-7 April 16 Saline High School Crosspointe Easter Sunrise Service April 28 April 10-15 Sunshine State Conference TRAINING Nardin Academy Championships April 29-30 BAY PRESERVE FSRA Sweep Championships April 11-17 May 6 GMS Rowing Promise Walk for Preeclampsia May 13 April 17-22 American Athletic Conference Rowing Belen Jesuit Championships April 23-28 May 20 SNCC Welland Warlocks SUP & Run 5k *Please note that teams generally have training sessions May 27 in the early morning and late afternoon. All teams, unless American Youth Cup III noted otherwise, are training at NBP. June 3 Suncoast International Dragon Boat Festival and SRDBA Championships June 9-11 USRowing Youth Nationals June 24 Champions of Hope Music Festival Home of the: August 5 Sarasota Triathlon August 12 Candy’s Circus Run EVENTS 2 #myNBP NathanBendersonPark @myNBP PARK IMPROVEMENTS Automated Timing Systems with Bubble • Integrated timing and a bow holding alignment Line and Start Light System system • International method of starting with race timing, split timing, and finish line indicator Referee Starting Structure with • ADA accessible covered pavilion will be a composite Electricity structure, at least 15’x15’, and be used to house personnel, regatta equipment, and timing equipment A/V Communication Cabling • Consisting of cabling, connectors, environmental protection boxes, power, translators, CCTV, telephones and venue PA system, including amplifiers Bridge for the Wave Attenuator • Provides the final connection between the wave attenuator/aligners platform and the south shore to the starter’s tower Aligner’s/Timing Huts • 15’x15’ composite structures will be used to shelter aligners at the zero meter, 500m, 1,000m, and 1,500m marks Awards and Launch and Recovery • One award dock, and three launch and recovery Pontoons docks necessary for awards presentations, launching of racing vessels, and recovery of racing vessels to the shore Honore Avenue Entrance Landscaping • Enhancement, beautification, erosion control, and evasive species removal Finish Tower Parking • 24,432 square foot parking area/pathways will be a multi purpose lot to service the Finish Tower including ADA accessible parking and path of travel Lighting/Sound Poles for Finish Tower • 12 light poles will provide lighting for the Finish and Island Tower parking lot and connecting path of travel • 20 light/sound poles will provide lighting and venue public address system Regatta Island Landscaping • Enhancement, beautification, erosion control, and evasive species removal General Utilities Connection • The final connections for power, water, and sewer to Regatta Island 1000 Meter Para Starting Platform • The starting structure position at the 1,000m mark for para racing. This platform is movable to accommodate 1,500m scholastic racing and 1,000m masters’ racing Pedestrian Walkways • Provides multiple sidewalks and accessible path of travel connecting all major structures and areas on Regatta Island for end users 3 www.NathanBendersonPark.org | 941-358-7275 VOLUNTEERS Volunteers of the Month January 2017 Martha Brown What is your favorite aspect about the park? The trails are great, but also the large lake which provides a wonderful open space in a fairly congested urban area. Why would you encourage someone to volunteer? I would encourage people to volunteer at the park in order to meet amazing people from the area, the state, the region and the world who come to compete at the park. It is really inspiring to meet such a great diversity of people who all love to compete in their sport. What is one word you would use to describe volunteering at the park? Inspiring. February 2017 Kaden Bowles How long have you been volunteering at Nathan Benderson Park? I started volunteering at the park in June 2016 with the summer camp program and have continued. What do you enjoy most about volunteering? I get to meet different people and be outdoors. All the volunteers and NBP Staff are great people that are all there for the same reason and that is to bring the community together and have safe, successful events. Why would you encourage someone to volunteer? There are so many different opportunities. Events vary, so I feel like there is something for everyone. The volunteer jobs are fun and will keep you coming back What is one word you would use to describe volunteering at the park? Exciting! March 2017 Craig Brown What is your favorite event or memory from your time spent as a volunteer? I have to say so far the U.S. Olympic Trials since I worked for the U.S. Olympic Committee for 10 years and brought back many fond memories and again to get to interact with the athletes. Why would you encourage someone to volunteer? I have been volunteering most of my life and find it very rewarding in so many aspects. It is a great way for individuals to get new life experiences and grow with each one. What is one word you would use to describe volunteering at the park? Fulfilling. 4 #myNBP NathanBendersonPark @myNBP WRCH NEWS Competition Schedule Released for the 2017 World Rowing Championships With less than six months to go until competition gets underway at the 2017 World Rowing Championships at Nathan Benderson Park, FISA (the World Rowing Federation) has released the racing schedule for the event. Some key highlights include: • Competition will begin at 10:00 a.m. EDT from September 24-Septmeber 29. On September 30 and October 1, racing will start at 9:00 a.m. EDT. • Pending any delays, competition will conclude each day before 2:00 p.m. EDT. • Para-rowing races will commence on the morning of Tuesday, September 26 with some para-rowing Finals (FINALS B) happening on Thursday, September 28. • The first of the major Finals (FINALS A) with medal presentations will take place on the afternoon of Friday, September 29 around 12:15 p.m. EDT. The remaining Finals will take place over Championship weekend, September 30 and October 1. In addition, the 2017 World Rowing Championships host committee has announced that each day of the event will focus on a different theme, offering guests attending the Championships across multiple days something new to experience each day. As part of the larger Fan Fest, the onsite Expo area will feature vendors reflective of the daily theme. • Saturday, September 23: Family Fun Day and Opening Ceremony • Sunday, September 24: Pet Day • Monday, September 25: Eco Day • Tuesday, September 26: Farmers Market Day • Wednesday, September 27: Military Appreciation Day • Thursday, September 28: Golden Ages/Community Service Day • Friday, September 29: Local Attractions Day • Saturday, September 30: Boating and Fishing Day • Sunday, October 1: Health and Wellness Day As of today, six months out, our ticket sales have been stellar,” said Meredith Scerba, the executive director of the 2017 World Rowing Championships. “Now that the public has a better understanding of what will be taking place each day of the 2017 World Rowing Championships, we look forward to substantial sales growth.” Tickets to the 2017 World Rowing Championships can be purchased online at: www.WRCH2017.com 5 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle | Sarasota, FL 34235 S & TRAINING COMMUNITY Programming at NBP Dragon Boat Paddle Equipment Rentals NBP offers Dragon Boat 101 and Dragon Boat 201. These • Single and double sit on top kayaks courses are designed to give beginners the opportunity • Stand up paddleboards (SUP) to learn the basics of Dragon Boat Paddling and work to • Single scull rentals become part of the NBP Dragon Boat Program. Rentals are available for $15 per hour Learn to Row Summer Youth Aquatics Camps For ages 10-18, these camps are designed to teach the Learn to Row 101: Introduction to Sculling basics of kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, rowing, RC • Fundamentals of rowing in Singles and Doubles sailboating, boater’s education, and more! • Sculling (two oars) • Learn the tools necessary to transistion into Week 1: May 29-June 2 Week 6: July 10-July 14 sweep rowing Week 2: June 12-June 16 Week 7: July 17-July 21 Learn to Row 201: Introduction to Sweep Rowing Week 3: June 19-June 23 Week 8: July 24- July 28 • Fundamentals of sweep rowing (one oar) Week 4: June 26-June 30 Week 9: July 31-August 4 • Learn to row as a team in larger boats (4+’s and Week 5*: July 3-July 7 Week 10: August 7-August 11 8+’s) Private lessons are also available Chiwalking The program is an exciting, new approach to creating health, fitness and well-being through walking. ChiWalking ve training sessions blends walking with the inner focuses of T’ai Chi, to te afternoon. All teams, unless increase balance, strength, and mental focus. For more information and to sign up for any NBP program, camp, or rental opportunity, contact the Program Department at [email protected] or visit: www.NathanBendersonPark.org/programming NBP Sponsors: Annual NBP Partners: COUNTY 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle | Sarasota, FL 34235 www.NathanBendersonPark.org | 941-358-7275 6 #myNBP NathanBendersonPark @myNBP.