Local Rower Selected for the USRowing's Junior Men's National Development Camp

Special to Dixon Patch

Spencer Currey, 16, a Dixon High School Sophomore,  is among only 30, 16- and 17-year-old male athletes who were chosen for USRowing's Junior Men's National Development Camp.

The goal of this camp is to identify athletes with potential early in their rowing careers and put them in an environment where they can learn, grow and represent the USA in suitably competitive domestic  training and racing opportunities.

This will better position them to understand the process behind contending for a World Championship.

They will also be competing for spots on the Junior National Rowing Team and the opportunity to compete for the USA later this summer as well as the chance to train in Berlin and have the opportunity to scrimmage with boats from the German Junior National Team.  

USRowing is a nonprofit organization recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee as the governing body for the sport of rowing in the United States. This year the four-week camp will be held in Pittsburgh, with the Three Rivers Rowing Association acting as host.

The young men selected for the camp will learn more about the technical aspects of the rowing stroke, weight training and nutrition. High stress performance training, off water learning labs and water sessions will be incorporated into each day.  They'll also be given tips on what it takes to meet the expectations that come with rowing at the international level.

"It's a great opportunity to train and improve for next season," said Currey, "I'm looking forward to being able to compete at a higher level,".

What he likes best about rowing is the competition, Currey said. "There's a lot of sacrifice in rowing -- time, energy, dedication -- but because there is so much sacrifice, the rewards are greater," he said.

Spencer is a member of the River City Rowing Club and trains out of West Sacramento, Ca.