By Kate Hill

Staff Writer

The Cazenovia Rowing Club (CRC) has been active in the community for nearly 30 years.

Based out of the south end of Cazenovia Lake, CRC is both a recreational and competitive club that provides community members of all ages and experience levels with the opportunity to enjoy the sport of rowing.

Like many other not-for-profit organizations, the club has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Normally, our shells would be on the racks at Gypsy Bay by now and we would have held our annual U.S. Rowing Learn-to-Row Day,” said CRC President Mindy Holgate.

The event, which was scheduled for June 6 this year, is the primary way the club attracts new members.

The following Tuesday, June 9, would have marked the first day of the coached rowing program.

Due to the pandemic, the club will also miss out on its main fundraiser, the annual July 4th Pancake Breakfast.

According to Holgate, the cancellation will have a serious financial impact on the club, which still has bills to pay.

“We support the community and its members and offer a great way to learn a new sport, have fun, meet great people, enjoy an exceptionally beautiful lake, and engage in an activity that many communities do not have,” Holgate said. “We hope to be able to get on the water later in the season, and perhaps even hold a Learn-to-Row. In the meantime, we would invite the community to help us ‘keep our oars in the water’ by making a donation . . . We thank you in earnest, hope everyone has stayed safe, and look forward to seeing you soon on our magnificent lake.”

Donations can be mailed to CRC, P.O. Box 533, Cazenovia, NY 13035.

All donations to the organization are tax deductible.

CRC is a member of the United States Rowing Association and operates with oversight from the Town of Cazenovia and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation – Central Region.

To learn more about the club, visit cazrow.org or email [email protected].