Approximately 100 coaches and non-profit leaders are expected to attend the second annual “Changing the Tide – Making Rowing Accessible to Urban Youth” workshop on Saturday, February 23, at the Tuttleman Learning Center at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pa.

Hosted by USRowing, the interactive workshop will address the challenges and opportunities of bringing the sport of rowing to the youth of urban America.

“What’s compelling about this experience is that these people genuinely want to make a difference,” said Robert Kidd, USRowing board member and chairman of USRowing’s Task Force on Access, Affordability and Diversity. “This event is an opportunity to get like minds together to gain strength and sustenance.”

As a former rower and current active leader at the Jack London Aquatic Center in Oakland, Calif., Kidd is directly involved in making everyday decisions regarding diversity for his programs. “Our mission is to serve under-privileged communities and focus on minority programs. It’s my life, and it’s such a privilege to be involved with rowing in Oakland.”

In addition to Kidd, who will lead a panel discussion on the organizational facets of summer rowing programs and similar outreach initiatives, guest speakers from other sports will have a chance to discuss common issues and opportunities.

“This whole initiative begins with recognition that the sport of rowing is overwhelmingly Euro-American and suburban,” said Kidd. “Even though rowing is more accessible now than at any other point in history, it still has a long way to go. If rowing continues to uphold its current image, it will become more and more marginal as a sport and less accounted for in contributing to the overall American experience. The group of people that we have coming to talk to the rowing community will address the imbalance that exists.”

Highlighting the list of presenters is Peter Westbrook, founder and executive director of the Peter Westbrook Foundation in New York. The six-time Olympian and 1984 Olympic bronze medalist in the sport of fencing now runs the Peter Westbrook Foundation, which utilizes fencing as a vehicle to develop life skills for young people from underserved communities. Since its inception, the organization has seen thousands of inner city kids come through its doors and has produced collegiate, national and Olympic level fencers who also have excelled academically at prestigious high schools and universities.

“I am excited about Peter’s presence at this year’s event,” said Kidd. “He created a foundation that exposes all kinds of kids to opportunities that they wouldn’t otherwise be aware of. His response to everything is, ‘if I can do it, you can do it’. He has just an electric personality, and it’s great to hear that kind of vision – that anything can happen.”

Other presenters scheduled to lead break-out sessions include Julian Zimlich, outreach director at the George Pocock Rowing Foundation in Seattle; John Cruzat, USA Swimming’s diversity specialist who will discuss his organization’s outreach efforts and the values of such programs; and Amanda Kraus of Row New York, who will lead a discussion on how to create long-term rowing opportunities.

“There is far more going on out there in the sport of rowing than I ever knew existed,” said Kidd. “There are programs all over the country, in places like Philadelphia, Oklahoma City and inner-city Queens. It’s a great image of sharing the message that American rowing is for everybody. We’re talking about the future of the sport, and people need to realize that.

“Our sport has access to such a peculiar space in the American psyche. It represents class, hard work and fundamental core values. It’s astonishing how huge an ability we have to talk about that concept as an American experience for all.”

If you are interested in attending the workshop, please register in advance at www.Regattacentral.com by clicking on the USRowing button under “Camps & Clinics.” The registration fee is $100 per participant. (Fee waivers are available for programs that may not be able to afford the cost by contacting USRowing at 1-800-314-4ROW.)